119
Lia’s POV
The night pressed heavily around me as I returned to my room, my mind racing. The events of the evening still churned within me, and I knew that Finn’s interest in tracking down the phone's owner wouldn’t just vanish. This marriage was supposed to bring stability and security even, but it felt more like a house of cards, ready to collapse with one wrong move.
I paced the room, waiting, hoping the tension would ease, but every second felt like the walls were closing in. Finally, I grabbed my phone and dialed Luca, pressing the receiver tight against my ear as it rang. His voice was steady and firm, instantly grounding me.
“What’s wrong, Lia?” he asked, sensing my tension.
“It’s Finn,” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder, though I knew the door was locked. “He’s looking into the phone that was left at the gate. He’s got people working on it right now, and Bianca is right there with him. If they uncover anything about you…” My voice faltered, dread seeping in.
Luca’s voice didn’t waver. “Lia, listen to me. I told you, everything is under control. I’ve set up every safeguard. Even if Finn digs, he won’t find anything that ties back to us. Trust me.”
A shaky sigh escaped me. “But if they get even the smallest hint of my connection to you, it’s over. Finn isn’t stupid—he’ll put the pieces together.”
“Let them look,” he said calmly. “What they’ll find will lead them nowhere. Remember, I planned for this.”
His confidence was reassuring, but I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that something was bound to slip. “We’re meeting tomorrow at the café, right?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “I’ll go over the next steps with you then. And, Lia—whatever happens, stick to the plan. Marrying Finn works in our favor, even if it doesn’t feel like it now.”
The words calmed me, even as doubt simmered beneath the surface. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We ended the call, but my mind continued to spin. I sat at the edge of my bed, running over everything in my head. Finn was too close, and if Bianca’s suspicions fanned the flames, I’d have even less time to secure my place here.
Unable to sit still, I wandered the halls, my footsteps soft against the cold marble floors. Passing the CCTV room, I paused. Curiosity pulled me closer. The door was slightly ajar, and I could hear murmurs from inside. Peering in, I saw Finn and two of his men, focused intently on a screen displaying the phone’s data.
A small spark of panic flared. If they got through even a sliver of Luca’s defenses, everything would unravel.
Steeling myself, I walked in, masking my nerves with a calm expression. Finn glanced up, momentarily surprised but quickly regaining his composure.
“What’s going on?” I asked, keeping my tone light.
“We’re still working on retrieving data from the phone,” he replied, his eyes flickering back to the screen. “Whoever owns it has done a good job hiding their tracks, but we’ll crack it eventually.”
I forced a casual smile. “And you’re sure it’s worth all this effort?”
Finn looked at me, studying my face as if he could peel back my thoughts. “Absolutely. I don’t like loose ends, especially ones that could bring trouble to our doorstep.”
Bianca suddenly walked in, her eyes flicking between Finn and me before settling on me with a cold stare. She crossed her arms, clearly eager to interject.
“I was just telling Finn,” she said, her tone laced with accusation, “that whoever owns this phone could be a threat to the clan. And since you’re an outsider, Lia, don’t you think it’s wise to be a bit more cautious about what—or who—you bring around here?”
Her words were pointed, like small knives. I held her gaze, refusing to let her intimidation seep through.
“I’m marrying into this family tomorrow,” I said smoothly, keeping my voice even. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Finn and everyone else here. So if you’re implying something, Bianca, be direct.”
Finn cleared his throat, stepping between us before Bianca could escalate things further. “That’s enough,” he said, casting Bianca a stern look. “We don’t need to turn on each other. Lia is as invested in this as anyone else here.”
Bianca looked away, lips pressed into a thin line, clearly irritated by Finn’s response.
“Well,” she said sharply, “just remember that not everyone who enters our lives has our best interests at heart.” She threw one last glare my way before leaving the room.
As soon as she was gone, Finn turned back to me, his gaze softening. “Don’t pay any attention to her. She’s…overprotective.”
I nodded, trying to play it off with a smile. “It’s fine. I get it. She’s family, after all.”
He returned my smile, but his attention was already drifting back to the screen. “I’ll be up late with this, so don’t wait up,” he said, his voice distracted.
I took the cue and left the room, forcing myself to keep my pace steady down the hall. Inside, my heart was racing. Bianca’s suspicions were only growing, and with Finn so close to the truth, I felt like I was standing on thin ice. I’d made it this far, but I knew that from here on, every move would have to be perfect—or everything I’d built would shatter.
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Bianca's POV
Once I left the CCTV room, my mind was already plotting. Finn’s blind faith in Lia was a threat—he couldn’t see that his so-called fiancée was the true danger. And I was done watching him walk right into her trap.
I made my way down the hallway, pulling out my phone as I walked. My contact list popped up, and I scrolled down to Lex’s number. Pressing “call,” I waited, listening to the ring until he finally picked up.
“Bianca,” he greeted, his voice low and familiar.
“We need to meet,” I said sharply. “Tomorrow, first thing in the morning. There’s something I need you to handle.”
A brief silence passed, then he let out a chuckle. “I take it this is about your new sister-in-law?”
“She’s nothing to me,” I snapped, venom creeping into my tone. “But she’s becoming a problem for Finn. He’s too caught up in whatever spell she’s woven around him. I want her gone, Lex. And fast.”
“Interesting,” he mused. “You think she’s a spy?”
I glanced around, lowering my voice as I leaned against the wall. “I know she is. She doesn’t belong here, and the sooner she’s out of Finn’s life, the better.”
“Consider it done, Bianca,” he replied smoothly. “Tomorrow, I’ll handle everything. Just make sure no one traces it back to us.”
I ended the call, satisfaction filling me. Soon enough, Lia would be out of the picture, and I’d have Finn back where he belonged: away from manipulative outsiders and devoted to the clan, where his loyalty should have always stayed.
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