The sound of papers rustling filled Liam’s study as he flipped through the latest security reports. Ever since Daisy’s near-death experience, he had made it his personal mission to ensure nothing like that would happen again. His eyes lingered on one report-something felt off.
There were discrepancies in the timeline. On the night Daisy was saved from the attack at her birthday party, the hotel security cameras had picked up movements of an unknown team of individuals stationed discreetly around the perimeter.
Liam frowned, tapping the report with his pen. “Who are you?” he murmured under his breath.
Deciding he needed answers, Liam called the head of Daisy’s security team.
“Explain this,” Liam demanded when the man arrived, holding up the report.
The head of security hesitated, his usually confident demeanor faltering. “Sir… those men aren’t part of our team.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Then whose team are they? They were clearly protecting Daisy. Find out.”
Louis sat in his office, his focus razor-sharp as he reviewed documents about Ricci’s recent movements. The tension in his shoulders was unmistakable, but his thoughts were interrupted when Liam barged in.
“We’ve got a situation,” Liam said, throwing the security report on Louis’s desk.
Louis skimmed the document, his jaw tightening as he processed the information. “Unknown bodyguards? Around Daisy?”
“Yes,” Liam said, pacing the room. “And they’ve been around for a while-long before the birthday party. Whoever they are, they’ve been in the shadows, keeping an eye on her. It’s not random.”
Louis leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. “This isn’t a coincidence. Someone’s been protecting her without our knowledge.”
Liam crossed his arms. “It could be a setup. We need to figure out who’s behind this. If they’re trying to get close to Daisy, they’ll have to go through us.”
Louis’s eyes darkened, his voice cold and calculated. “Leave it to me. I’ll handle this personally.”
Tracking the hidden protectors wasn’t easy, but Louis’s connections in the underworld were unmatched. Within days, he found himself standing in the dimly lit lobby of a private club. It was one of the most exclusive places in the city, where only the powerful dared to tread.
He was here to meet the man who had been pulling the strings-Ezekiel Chen.
Ezekiel was already seated in a secluded booth when Louis arrived. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension as Louis took the seat across from him.
“I thought you’d come sooner,” Ezekiel said, his voice smooth but laced with challenge.
Louis’s eyes were sharp, his tone cool. “I don’t like games, Ezekiel. Let’s get to the point. Why have your men been watching Daisy?”
Ezekiel leaned back, his expression unreadable. “Watching? Interesting choice of words. I’d say protecting.”
Louis’s jaw clenched, but he kept his composure. “Why? What’s your interest in her?”
Ezekiel’s lips curled into a slight smirk. “Why does anyone take interest in something precious? She’s extraordinary, isn’t she?”
The implication in Ezekiel’s words made Louis’s blood boil, but he kept his tone steady. “You’re overstepping.”
Ezekiel’s expression hardened. “You think you’re the only one capable of protecting her? You have enemies you don’t even know about, Louis. The Mafia isn’t the only threat in her life. I’ve been ensuring her safety because, unlike you, I see the bigger picture.”
Louis leaned forward, his eyes blazing. “And I don’t trust anyone else to keep her safe. Especially someone who operates in the shadows.”
The tension between them was palpable. Ezekiel’s eyes glinted with an almost predatory light. “Trust or not, my men will remain in place. Daisy’s safety is non-negotiable.”
Louis’s voice was low and dangerous. “You think I’ll let you make decisions about her? Think again. You don’t know me, Ezekiel, but I promise you this-you don’t want me as your enemy.”
Ezekiel smirked, unfazed. “The feeling is mutual, Grant. But let me remind you, this isn’t about you. It’s about her. And whether you like it or not, I’m not going anywhere.”
The meeting ended with no resolution, the tension between Louis and Ezekiel thicker than ever. As Louis left the club, his mind raced. He knew Ezekiel was dangerous-possibly as ruthless as he was-but he couldn’t afford distractions. Daisy’s safety was paramount, and if that meant dealing with Ezekiel, so be it.
Ezekiel watched Louis leave, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He admired the man’s determination, even if they were at odds. But Ezekiel’s feelings for Daisy were something he couldn’t suppress. She was his light in a world of shadows, and he would do whatever it took to keep her safe-even if it meant clashing with Louis.
The stakes were higher than ever, and both men knew this was only the beginning.