FORBIDDEN DESIRES

Chapter 4 :Secretes in the Ledger

FORBIDDEN DESIRES

Chapter 4: Secrets in the Ledger

Ellen’s POV

The safehouse smelled of stale air and secrets.I paced the narrow room, clutching my father’s recording in my trembling hands, the weight of his words pressing heavy on my chest.

The ledger , hidden where no one would think to look, the truth

I couldn’t afford to waste time.

Damien Blackwood was tightening his grip, and now others lurked in the shadows, their motives unclear but deadly.

Rio watched me from across the room, jaw clenched.

“We need a plan. If we don’t find that ledger first, Blackwood will bury everything and you.”

I nodded, though exhaustion clawed at me,my mind replayed every detail of the Blackwood headquarters: the towering glass walls, the cold marble floors, the way Damien’s eyes had pierced me in the boardroom. He was dangerous not just physically, but mentally.

And if he suspected I was hunting the ledger, every step inside was a gamble.

The next morning dawned gray and unforgiving. I dressed carefully in a tailored black blazer and crisp white blouse, perfect for my role as Damien’s assistant professional, polished, and unsuspecting.

I slipped into the Blackwood tower with practiced ease, the security guards barely giving me a glance.

The elevator ride to Damien’s office was agonizingly slow, every ping a countdown to the moment I’d face him again.

Inside his office, Damien sat behind his massive desk, fingers steepled, eyes watching me like a predator sizing up its prey.

“Ms. Hollister ,” he said smoothly. “Your report was impressive. You have potential.”

I forced a polite smile. “Thank you, Mr. Blackwood.”

He leaned forward, voice dropping low. “But potential can be dangerous.”

A hollow thud echoed in my chest

Was this a warning or a threat?

“Do you trust me?” he asked suddenly, eyes darkening.

I hesitated, then said carefully, “Trust is earned.”

His lips curved into a slow smile. “Wise.”

After the meeting, I slipped away to my father’s old office now vacant, untouched since his downfall.

The city skyline stretched behind the dusty windows, a reminder of everything lost.

I moved to the corner where the old rug lay and lifted it carefully, my fingers searching for the hidden latch my father had hinted at in his message.

My nails dug into the wooden floorboard, and with a soft creak, it shifted. Beneath it was a small compartment.

My breath caught as I pulled out a worn leather ledger, its cover cracked and faded

I opened it

My eyes widened

Page after page bled with signatures,judges,senators,charities that were nothing but shells. Every line another betrayal,Every name another nail in the coffin

Damien Blackwood had built his empire on lies and blood.

Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out, plunging the room into darkness.

The building itself seemed to exhale. Lights died,steel doors clanged shut above ,and footsteps descended like a countdown

“Going somewhere, Gale?” Damien’s voice sliced through the silence.

I spun around, clutching the ledger to my chest.

He stepped into the room, the faint glow of emergency lighting casting long shadows on his face.

“You’re playing a dangerous game.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m playing to win.”

Before either of us could speak again, the door burst open and Rio stormed in, gun raised, eyes fierce.

“We don’t have time,” he said urgently. “They’re coming.”

Outside, distant alarms blared. The building was on lockdown.

Damien’s gaze flicked to the window, then back to me.

“We’ll finish this later,” he said, voice cold as ice.

before Rio could grab my arm, Damien had already intertwined our fingers pulling me toward the emergency exit.

All that I could hear was Rio’s footsteps retreating in the shadows

As we hurried down the fire escape stairs, my mind raced.

Who had warned me to check the fire escape? Was Rio really on my side? And what had Damien been hiding in that office?

webreached the street just as black SUVs screeched to a halt nearby. Figures in dark suits spilled out, moving like shadows with guns drawn.

Damien pushed me behind a parked car, raising his weapon.

“Run,” he urged, eyes scanning the street.

I didn’t hesitate.

I sprinted toward the nearby alley, heart pounding, the ledger heavy in my bag.

Gunfire cracked through the night air.

Behind me ,Damien fired back, buying me precious seconds.

I ducked into the shadows, gasping for breath.

My phone buzzed with a message that made my blood run cold:

UNKNOWN: The ledger is only the beginning. Trust no one. Not even him.

my eyes darted to the figure emerging from the darkness Damien Blackwood.

“How are you …?”

He cut me short

“Shhhh” he put his finger over my mouth

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned

Damien stepped into the alley light , close Enough to me that I could get the scent of smoke cling to his suit .His hand reached out ,not with weapon,but like he meant to claim mine .His voice dropped to a growl

“Are you ready to make a deal?”