Chapter 9
"I understand congratulations are in order," Elias said, his voice a low, vibrating hum that seemed to chill the warm air inside the sedan. "I received the notification of the Vanguard acquisition fifteen minutes ago. You moved with impressive speed, Aaliyah. Surgical. Ruthless. It was a beautiful piece of corporate violence."
"Meredith was incompetent," Aaliyah stated flatly, checking her mirrors as she merged onto the highway. The bright sunlight reflected off the hood of her car. "I simply corrected a market inefficiency."
"You did much more than that," Elias chuckled, though the sound held absolutely no humor. "You exposed Gordon’s financial vulnerability. You forced his hand to sell the agency without consulting his board. Without consulting me."
Aaliyah’s jaw tightened. She had known that destroying Meredith would inevitably draw the attention of the apex predators swimming in Gordon’s financial waters. She just hadn't expected them to circle so quickly.
"Gordon’s debt to your firm is his own problem, Elias," Aaliyah replied coldly. "The Vanguard acquisition was entirely legal. I own the shares free and clear. If you have an issue with his liquidity, take it up with him."
"Gordon is an old fool who is rapidly outliving his usefulness," Elias dismissed casually. "My concern is not with his pathetic debts. My concern is with the brilliant, terrifying woman who managed to build a shadow corporation right under my nose without setting off a single alarm."
"What do you want, Elias?" Aaliyah demanded, her maternal instincts flaring as she glanced at Zoe in the rearview mirror. The little girl was looking out the window, completely oblivious to the high-stakes warfare occurring over the car speakers.
"You have demonstrated a level of ruthlessness that I find incredibly valuable," Elias murmured, his tone shifting into something dark and highly predatory. "The Vanguard agency holds the public relations contracts for three major politicians I need to control. You hold those contracts now, Aaliyah."
"They are not for sale," Aaliyah said firmly.
"Everything is for sale, my dear," Elias countered softly. "You destroyed your sister to protect your child. It was a noble, violent instinct. But you have stepped out of the shadows now. You are holding a piece of meat in a jungle filled with starving lions. You are going to need protection."
"I can protect myself," Aaliyah fired back, her American accent clipping with irritation.
"Can you?" Elias asked, the threat hanging heavily in the cinematic, bright air of the afternoon. "Gordon is currently sitting in his study, making phone calls to men who specialize in correcting familial disrespect. He wants his daughter's company back. He wants you erased."
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Aaliyah’s eyes narrowed into lethal, dark slits. She knew Gordon was vindictive, but to actively put a hit out on his adopted daughter crossed a line she hadn't anticipated.
"Let them come," Aaliyah whispered, her voice loaded with a terrifying, absolute confidence. "I will bury them in the same grave I am digging for him."
