Chapter 367
“I’ve acquired the debt on the property,” Damon said. “I can fund the restoration through a shell company. But I need a face for the project. A Solomon face.”
“And in exchange?” Eliza asked.
“You marry me.” He didn’t blink. “A real marriage. Not a contract. We merge the families. Victor backs off. You get your legacy back.”
“I’m not trading one cage for another,” Eliza said coldly.
“It’s not a cage.” Damon reached for her hand across the table. “I’ve always wanted you, Eliza. Since we were kids. Dallas never appreciated you. He treated you like an acquisition.”
𝖳𝗋𝘦n𝖽𝗂𝗻𝗀 𝗻𝗈𝗏𝗲l𝘴 оn 𝗀𝖺𝗅𝗇𝘰𝗏𝘦𝗹𝘀.𝘤𝗈𝘮
“And you’re treating me like a merger,” Eliza pointed out.
“I’m offering partnership.” His eyes darkened. “And protection. Dallas is weak right now. The sharks are circling. You need to be on the winning boat.”
A low, dangerous voice cut through the air.
Yvonne Fox strode into the restaurant alone. She wore a tailored black pantsuit, her hair pulled back in a severe ponytail. She moved with the coiled grace of a predator.
“The grieving ex-wife,” Yvonne said, her voice a low purr that held no warmth. “Moving on fast, aren’t we?”
Eliza looked at Yvonne and saw the cold calculation behind her eyes. The arrogance. She remembered Dallas’s words. I thought you were Yvonne. It just pissed me off.
Eliza stood. She was taller than Yvonne in her heels.
“Hello, Yvonne,” Eliza said calmly. “Slumming it tonight? Or did Dallas finally get tired of you?”
“Dallas is preoccupied,” Yvonne hissed. “He’s cleaning house.”
“Is he?” Eliza tilted her head. “Funny. He told me last night that the thought of you makes him sick.”
Yvonne’s professional mask cracked. A flicker of genuine shock crossed her face. “He… he saw you?”
“He did.” Eliza lied smoothly, twisting the knife. “He kissed me. And then he pulled away because he felt guilty about — well, about settling for you.”
It was a cruel lie. A Dallas-level lie. But it felt good.
Yvonne’s hand twitched toward the lapel of her jacket, where a weapon was likely concealed. Damon’s hand shot out and caught her wrist in a steel grip.
“Don’t,” Damon said, his voice low and dangerous. “Touch her, and I’ll ruin you.”
Yvonne yanked her hand back. She looked from Damon to Eliza, her eyes burning with cold fury. “You’re both pathetic. Dallas is going to burn this city down, and you’ll be in the ashes.”
She turned on her heel and walked out.
Eliza sat back down. Her hands were trembling beneath the table.
“Impressive,” Damon said, watching her with renewed hunger. “You have claws.”
“I’m not hungry.” Eliza reached for her purse and rose. “The answer is no, Damon. I’ll save my own legacy.”
She walked out.
Across the street, a black SUV sat idling in the shadows. Simmons lowered his binoculars.
“She rejected him, Boss,” Simmons said into his headset. “And she humiliated Yvonne.”
In the back seat, Dallas lay reclined, a clear oxygen mask over his face. He was pale and weak, but a faint smile crossed his lips.
“Good girl,” he whispered.
.
.