Bellas barely whispered words that felt enormous as they were spoken. After a beat then two of silence on the other end of the line Kane's voice—a low resonant rumble—filled her ear.
"Bella. I was expecting your call."A faint nearly imperceptible change in his cadence, a quiet satisfaction that spoke volumes, replaced the noisy shout of victory and the overt triumph in his tone. I'll give the address to you. "Come on now. My house."
She was left with the dial tone and the icy finality of her choice when he hung up before she could respond. His house. She felt a new wave of apprehension at the thought but it was soon overshadowed by the ferocious resolve that had grown inside of her.
She was impatient for the morning. The anger, humiliation and pain were a volatile combination that necessitated quick action. Every moment she had to wait seemed like a betrayal of the toughened new person she was growing into. Bellas sudden movements driven by a desperate urgency caused her to toss the phone onto the bed.
She put on a simple black shirt and dark jeans quickly making them unassuming and practical. She didn't care about her appearance and didn't bother applying makeup. It was just a matter of arriving, confronting him and putting this exciting yet terrifying plan into action.
Without a backward glance she left the hotel room after grabbing her car keys, the cool metal a familiar weight in her shaking hand. As she drove her vehicle slicing through the silent night the city was a blur of dim lights and sleeping streets. Her thoughts were racing with a variety of opposing feelings including fear, desperation and a strong surge of vengeful anticipation.
With its expansive estates and hidden wealth the address Kane had sent was in a private upscale neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. She followed the GPS through twisting roads lined with trees each turn leading her farther into the unknown and away from the known.
After what seemed like an eternity Bellas car finally slowed a tall wrought-iron gate illuminated by its headlights. It was magnificent, beautifully designed and surrounded by tall stone walls that appeared to go on forever into the night. This was a fortress and an estate, not just a house.
A long winding driveway with subdued ground-level lights was revealed when the gates sensing her approach silently clicked open. Her car crunched softly on the immaculately groomed gravel as she pulled in. The mansion itself towered majestically in the distance followed by sweeping well-kept gardens and old trees as the driveway curved.
Various windows let in light which created a cozy welcoming radiance that seemed to contrast with its strong almost stern appearance. It appeared to be a place of great power and silent unchallenged authority. She knew with a fearsome certainty that it was Kane.
Bella pulled up to a large round driveway with dark polished stone paving and halted her vehicle at the front. There he was. Kane. With his arms folded across his chest and his body relaxed yet alert he stood leaning against a huge stone pillar that flanked the main entrance.
He appeared effortlessly strong even in the low light wearing dark pants and a basic fitted black shirt. Even though he wasn't explicitly waiting for her his presence demonstrated his unwavering confidence by tacitly acknowledging her arrival.
As she turned off the engine his dark perceptive and intelligent eyes met hers and he smiled that familiar unnerving grin. Bellas legs felt a little wobbly as she got out of the car but her determination grew stronger with each step. The smell of damp earth and pricey night-blooming flowers filled the crisp cool air.
"Thanks for coming Bella" Kane said in a smooth low voice that was free of surprise.
With smooth elegant motions he pushed himself off the pillar. He waited for her to approach instead of approaching her right away, keeping a discreet distance that conveyed both control and respect. Bella's eyes which were filled with a mix of fear and grim resolve met him.
"I'm here" She declared in a flat voice that showed no signs of internal conflict.
He gave a nod then pointed to the enormous elaborate front doors. "Come in. It's warmer inside."
He led Bella inside the opulent mansion. The interior was even more stunning than the outside. With lofty ceilings and smooth marble floors that mirrored the subtle glow of concealed lighting the foyer was enormous.
There was a subtle elegant masculine scent permeating the warm air. There was an air of luxury power and painstaking attention to detail in the room. Every item of art piece of furniture and thoughtfully positioned item exuded wealth and taste.
They arrived at a large sitting room after he guided her through a succession of opulent connected rooms each more exquisite than the one before. With its large imposing fireplace, dark wood accents and plush leather sofas it was a perfect combination of modern comfort and classic elegance.
The breathtaking view of the distant city lights was provided by a panoramic window. Invoking one of the couches Kane said "Please have a seat."
Kane approached an integrated bar, its surface slick with dark liquor bottles and polished crystal.
"Champagne?" he asked, deftly popping the cork of a chilled bottle without waiting for a response.
The room was silent as the soft pop reverberated. Perhaps a little celebration. Regarding our partnership. He brought one to her after pouring two flutes, the golden liquid bubbling gracefully. As she took it Bella felt the cool glass against her skin as her fingers touched his.
He sat across from her with a small sly smile on his lips and his dark eyes fixed on hers.
So he said softly "I take it your call means you've accepted my proposition?"
Bella sipped the champagne slowly, the fizziness dancing on her tongue causing her heart to race. She fixed him with her unblinking gaze.
"Yes" she replied with one word, a silent unwavering promise. "I agree."
A faint triumph, a glimmer of sincere satisfaction passed across Kane's face. A rare unmasked expression that changed his face and his smile grew wider.
"Great," he muttered, lifting his glass a little. "Well to start fresh. And to a very satisfying conclusion."
He sipped his champagne while maintaining eye contact with her. "Now" he said, his voice changing, sharpening and becoming more focused "...let's talk about the plan. Its complex Bella. It necessitates accuracy, endurance and a readiness to deviate from accepted engagement norms. However it will work. It will give them nothing."
Bella leaned forward as her heart raced her initial fear giving way to a fierce almost desperate desire for information.
She pleaded with her voice tense with expectation "Tell me."
With a more formal stance and a penetrating gaze Kane put down his glass. "We begin by focusing on Liam's financial base. By identifying the companies that were stolen you have already completed the first step. It was outstanding. My team has been getting ready for the legal offensive while double-checking every detail. In addition to the outright theft of Roderigo Tech Solutions Nexus Innovations and Solstice Media we will bring a number of lawsuits for intellectual property infringement, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty."
He stopped with a chilly satisfaction shining in his eyes. "We won't only insist on your company's return. The O'Connor Group will be rendered completely incapacitated by the punitive damages we seek. Every fraudulent transaction and unlawful tactic he used to obtain your assets will be made public by us.His pocketbook and his standing in the financial community will be the areas most affected by this."
"But that's just money,"Bellas harsh voice interrupted. "He is worthy of higher.He is deserving of suffering."
Kane smiled again as he nodded. "Exactly. Money is merely the initial domino. We will simultaneously launch a reputational assault on Liam and Evie while the legal battles play out generating a public spectacle and depleting his resources. Bella I have a huge network. I have access to the media, powerful people and social networks they desire."
Her meticulously crafted image will be destroyed. Bellas heart was racing as she asked "And Liam?"
"Liam" said Kane his tone becoming icier will be revealed for the heartless ruthless individual he is. "His public humiliation, denial and abandonment of you will all be painstakingly exposed."
With a glimmer of uncertainty amid her mounting enthusiasm Bella questioned "But how will we do all this?. How will we make sure it works?"
"That's where our marriage comes in, Bella."Kane said, his eyes penetrating.
His voice lowered to a deep passionate whisper as he leaned forward. "We will take advantage of the media. The story will be under our control. We'll use their own weapons against them."
Bellas breath caught.
The scheme was bold, brutal and incredibly clever. Dismantling their entire existence was the goal, not just exacting revenge. Making them experience the same suffering humiliation and complete destruction that they had caused her was the goal. Once a chilly ember the hatred now raged inside her like a raging fire.
Her voice was hardly audible and she said "And Samuel?"
With a hint of something unreadable in his eyes Kanes smirk softened as he asked "What about him?.Samuel will be caught in the crossfire. The focus will be on Evies manipulation even though his past will be revealed. He will lose his job, his good name and his cozy lifestyle. The results of his decisions and his cowardice will have to be faced by him. He will no longer have to deal with Evie but he will also lose everything he worked so hard to keep safe. By the time we are through they will regret ever betraying you."
"Tomorrow" Kane said, his eyes blazing with a cold predatory fire, his voice a low, captivating murmur: "Everything will start falling in place. Bella, are you ready for this?"