LOVE ME AGAIN

with concern, while Ethan remained unnervingly calm, his gaze locked on me. The

re I could stop it, my voice barely more than a whis

nswer. Instead, he took a measured breath, as if p

en, almost too controlled. "The media loves to sensationalize

s is a full-blown investigation. They're saying you're involved in fraud. If that'

hat's at stake, Claire. But I need you both to trust me on this. T

fter five years, ask me to be your partner in a merger that could ruin us both, and now you want me

hrough the wall of control he'd put up. "Mia, I know I've made mi

n. "Look, Mia, maybe we should talk to

"Involving more people will only complica

't something we have. This could blow up in our faces any second.

- fear, perhaps? Then, he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "There'

nding in my chest. "Wha

e it bang against the wall. I turned, expecting to see another colleague, but instead, a tall,

authoritative tone, his gaze narrowin

nt Harper," he greeted, his voice har

ok a step forward, producing a badge from inside his coat. "Fed

rrest? This couldn't be happening. It was too surreal, too far removed

uck in my throat, tangled with the c

ne, a silent plea in his ey

s arm, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "You're coming with us, Cross.

em, desperation clawing at my insides. "Ther

e suddenly firm, eyes intense as the

etallic sound a harsh reminder of how quickly everything had spiraled out of control. Th

gent Harper began to lead him toward the door. "Let me handle it, and I'll come

s echoing in my mind. Don't trust anyone? What was that supposed to mean? And how c

y arm, her face as pale as I felt. "Mia

n had been arrested by the FBI, no less and there was nothing I could do to help him. Or was there? How can Ethan,

the bottom of this, but we can't involve anyone else just yet. I need to fi

eyes were filled with wo

finding out exactly what the FBI is accusing him of. And then..

pulled it out, my heart sinking when I saw an unknown numbe

el

d was unfamiliar, male, with an edge o

, my voice trembling despite

to know the truth about Ethan Cross and Phoenix Corp, meet me a

respond, the

he situation settled over me. Ethan was in custody, the FBI was involved, and

d to find out the truth -

Claire asked, her v

ade. "I have to go. There's so

arm. "You can't go alo

and bag. "If I don't find out what's really going on, we co

d, not to trust anyone,

sted also. But, I have to do this. Risk is

mination. I had no idea who I was about to meet or what I was about to uncover, b