His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter Ther

53

I felt a wave of frustration building as I gripped the phone tighter. "What kind of problem?" I asked, though deep down I already knew this wasn't going to be good.

Ryan sighed. "Turns out, Nathan did something to the contract documents. Our pack isn't as independent as we thought. There are still business dealings that tie us together."

I stopped walking, my mind racing as I tried to process what he was saying. "Are you saying we're still connected to Nathan's pack?" It didn't seem possible, after all the work I had put in to separate everything.

"Yes," Ryan confirmed. "And it gets worse. Nathan's been using those connections to interfere with some of our major deals. He's caused enough trouble that a few of the big contracts we had lined up have been canceled." I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice calm. "How many?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer.

"Several," Ryan replied. "They were some of our most important deals, and losing them is going to hit us hard. Our pack's income is under great threat."

I stood there for a moment, the weight of Ryan's words pressing down on me. Nathan had found a way to meddle in our business again, undermining everything I had worked for. I hung up the phone, knowing this wasn't over. Nathan had always found ways to disrupt my life, and I had a sinking feeling this time was no different.

As I ended the call with Ryan, the weight of his words sinking in, Carlos stepped out of the car without a word, his usual distant demeanor intact, though I had noticed the softer glances he gave Cyrus earlier. Before I could process everything, my phone buzzed again. It was Nathan. His voice was unsettlingly calm as he insisted we meet, hinting that I wasn't as independent as I thought. A

18:09

Pleas. But

Chapter 53

tightened in my chest-Nathan wasn't done, and now I had

soon as he walked in, the room felt smaller.

need to talk," he

door behind him.

him a seat, standing tall behind my desk. "What is it, Nathan?" My tone was flat, unbothered, a stark

said directly, his

nothing to do with Nathan, and he never would. "Cyrus has nothing to do with you," I

and those ties are not as easily

independent. You have no hold over us." I let the words sink in before continuing, "Moreover, the businesses I partner with are built on trust. My partners are honest businessmen who don't break contracts over rumors or manipulation." I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected me to be so sure of myself, to know the contracts and partnerships as thoroughly as I did. It was clear that Nathan had counted

easily manipulate,

Chapter 53

I wasn't that

he said after a moment, his voice softer, as