Chained by our past

Chapter 19

Isla Calloway had faced threats before.

She had fought against ruthless competitors, navigated high-stakes negotiations, and outmaneuvered corporate sharks who had tried to sink her company.

But this?

This was different.

The voice from the unknown number still echoed in her head.

"If you don’t back down, you’ll regret it."

She had replayed it over and over, searching for any indication of who it could be—Vincent? Someone working for him? A completely unknown enemy?

She didn’t know.

And that was the most dangerous part.

Lucas arrived less than twenty minutes after she texted him.

The moment he walked in, his presence filled the room—calm, steady, unwavering.

But when he saw her standing by the window, arms crossed, tension radiating from every inch of her body, his expression darkened.

"What happened?" he demanded.

She turned, exhaling slowly. "I got a call."

Lucas’s jaw tightened. "From who?"

She shook her head. "I don’t know. The number was blocked. But they knew about the takeover. They knew I wasn’t backing down."

Lucas stepped closer, his green eyes sharp with a quiet fury. "What exactly did they say?"

She hesitated.

"If you don’t back down, you’ll regret it."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Lucas cursed under his breath. "That’s not just a warning, Isla. That’s a threat."

She swallowed hard. "I know."

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, his jaw clenching. "You should have told me immediately."

Her chest tightened. "I’m telling you now."

Lucas exhaled sharply, as if trying to steady himself. "You need protection."

She frowned. "I don’t need—"

"You do." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "We don’t know how far Vincent is willing to go. And I’m not going to sit back and wait to find out."

Her pulse jumped. "Lucas—"

"I’m hiring security for you and Leo."

She opened her mouth to argue.

But then—Leo’s face flashed through her mind.

His bright smile. His innocence.

The thought of anything happening to him made her stomach churn.

So instead, she exhaled and nodded.

Lucas’s gaze softened just slightly. "I’ll handle it."

She hated that it made her feel safer.

But it did.

The next morning, Isla walked into Calloway Tech with Lucas beside her, their security detail shadowing their every move.

Samantha was already waiting in the conference room, tension clear in her features.

"We found something," she said.

Isla and Lucas exchanged a look before stepping inside.

Samantha tapped her tablet, and a document appeared on the large screen.

Lucas’s body stiffened instantly.

"That’s… impossible."

Isla frowned. "What is it?"

Samantha hesitated. "We traced Vincent’s financial backers. A few of them are expected—old contacts, business associates."

She took a deep breath. "But one name stood out."

Isla scanned the list.

And then—her blood ran cold.

Miguel Reyes.

Lucas’s father.

A suffocating silence filled the room.

Lucas didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

Because if his father was backing Vincent’s takeover attempt, it meant only one thing.

This wasn’t just a business attack.

It was a personal betrayal.

Lucas finally spoke, his voice low and controlled.

"This doesn’t make sense."

Isla watched him carefully. "Lucas…"

He turned, his jaw clenched, his fists tight. "My father has no stake in Calloway Tech. He has no reason to be involved in this."

Samantha spoke carefully. "He’s invested through shell companies, but there’s no doubt—it’s him."

Lucas let out a slow breath, his shoulders rigid.

Isla reached out, touching his arm gently. "We’ll figure this out."

Lucas stilled at her touch, but he didn’t pull away.

Finally, he nodded. "We need to talk to him."

Later that evening, Lucas and Isla arrived at a private estate on the Upper East Side.

Miguel Reyes had always been a shadow in Lucas’s life—powerful, distant, ruthless.

And as they stepped inside, Isla could feel the weight of history pressing down on them.

Miguel sat in a luxurious armchair, a glass of whiskey in hand. When he saw them, his expression didn’t change.

"Lucas," he greeted, his voice smooth. "And Isla Calloway. How… interesting."

Lucas didn’t waste time. "Why are you backing Vincent?"

Miguel sighed, swirling his drink. "Business, son. Nothing personal."

Lucas’s eyes darkened. "Everything you do is personal."

Miguel chuckled. "Oh, you wound me."

Isla stepped forward, her voice sharp. "You’re helping a man who’s trying to take my company. Why?"

Miguel studied her, his gaze calculating. "Because, my dear, Calloway Tech has always been vulnerable. I’m simply… capitalizing on an opportunity."

Lucas’s fists clenched. "You don’t get to play puppet master with our lives."

Miguel smirked. "Haven’t I always?"

Lucas took a step closer, his voice like steel. "Stay out of this."

Miguel held his gaze. "Or what?"

Silence stretched.

Then—

Lucas exhaled sharply, his voice low. "You have no idea who you’re going up against."

Miguel chuckled. "Don’t I?"

Isla knew—this was far from over.

Because Miguel Reyes wasn’t just an investor.

He was the real threat.