The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 133

Chapter 133: Getting him back

"Nothing serious," Daniel assured her. "Luca and I are on our way back now. But Rosa.... what have you done? I'm hearing some wild stories about missing heirs and ultimatums."

Anya shifted uncomfortably as though he were there. It seems what she had done had found ts way to him. If it had found its way to him, that means his family also knew. But she was not ashamed of what she did.

To his question, Anya snorted. "Let's just say I've been keeping busy while you were away. I may

or may not have taken some people. Is that bad?"

Daniel's chuckle was warm and familiar. "That's my girl. I'll see you soon, love."

As the call ended, Anya took a deep breath, composing herself before turning back to face the captives. The coldness was back in her eyes, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her smile

now.

"Well, gentlemen," she announced, "it seems today is your lucky day. Your fathers have seen reason, and my husband is safe. You'll be released to your families shortly."

The relief on the young men's faces was palpable. But Anya wasn't finished.

"However," she continued, her tone sharpening, "it is best if your families are not so trusting

of the commission next time."

How could Anya leave without showing discord? From torturing the boys, she had understood that the false information about them came from the commission. The commission manipulated them to hunt down Daniel, or else small families like theirs would never dare. She nodded to Marco and the other guards. "Get them ready for transport. I want them out of here within the hour."

sterile white walls of the private hospital room seemed to close in around the gardent a he digested

man named Paolo, stood at attention, waiting for

the poster wo had four of the small idiot families working

both Daniel Shaw's powers at his wife's... character, sir. Not only did Shaw escape, but there were

president frown. What could have possibly gone wrong? it

narrowed. "What kind

somehow managed to capture the oldest sons of all four families involved.

the hospital tray, sending a glass of water crashing to the floor.

muttered, running a hand over his face. He looked older than his 62 years, the stress of recent events etching deep lines around his eyes. "It was just a little girl. Are you saying a little girl outsmarted them? Why did the intelligence director not

we do,

against his pillows, his mind racing. Everything had gone so wrong, so

had thought that with Daniel Shaw out of the way, he could finally breathe easy and pick apart the Shaw family in their grief. The evidence that could destroy him-evidence of corruption, of deals made with the very criminals he publicly denounced-would

It's time to bring the full weight of the state against the Shaws. Prepare the necessary paperwork. I want raids, asset freezes, and the works. They may fight back, but I have the entire country. I do not

tapping notes into his tablet. "And the other families, sir? The ones

smart, they'll distance themselves from this mess. If not..." He shrugged. "Well, there's always room in

As

motion, the president turned to stare out the window at the skyline. Somewhere out there, Daniel Shaw was

the years, but few

returning from the

as if a spell had been broken,

could feel his heart beating, strong and steady-the most

face pressed into her hair. "I'm here,

with unshed tears, quickly scanned her husband for injuries. "You're wounded," she