Page 136 of Vow to Claim You

“Leandro had him killed,” I state.

“Working theory.” Tassilo nods. “The timeline fits. Luca makes threats. Leandro answers them. Then Luca is dead, dressed up as a suicide.”

“The recording suggests Luca knew it was coming. Prepared it in advance as though insurance, a way to point the finger even if he couldn’t be alive to do it himself.”

I set the tablet down and lean back in my chair.

Would my father-in-law dearest really murder the man his daughter once loved, stage it as a suicide, and then come to the funeral, playing the grieving parent while she mourned a man he’d ordered into the ground?

“Keep digging,” I demand. “I want to know what Luca was holding over him. Find out what was worth killing to bury.”

“Understood.” Tassilo nods.

“Are you going to tell Ayanna?” Eero asks.

I exhale a heavy breath, propping my temple against my hand.

If I tell her now—if I show her this evidence before we’re certain—it will break something in her. The last illusion she has about the man who raised her.

I won’t do that to her.

Not until I’m sure.

“No,” I state, lacing my fingers together. “Not until we have proof. Concrete, undeniable proof. I’m not going to destroy her relationship with her father based on theories and financial records. When I tell her, it will be because I have evidence she can’t deny. Evidence that removes any doubt.”

Tassilo nods. “Understood.” He turns to leave but pauses at the door. “Boss. One more thing.”

“What?”

“The financial records. The payments around the time of Luca’s death, the shell companies, the routing.” He pauses as if to brace me for what’s coming. “Same patterns are showing up again. Last few weeks. Same structure. Active now.”

I exhale through my nose, jaw tightening.

“He’s moving on something again.”

“Looks that way.” He leaves, closing the door behind him.

Eero watches me, concern etching his face, which is new. “You think he’ll come for Naomi?”

“Yes,” I mumble. “Which is why I want the security on both of them doubled. Eyes on Naomi and Ayanna at all times. No exceptions, no gaps.”

“Done.”

“And Eero?”

He stops at the door.

“The thing with Naomi. Whatever it is, whatever it becomes.” I search his face. “Don’t let it distract you. If Leandro makes a move, I need you focused.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Aric

The following morning, a convoy of black cars rolls through my gates. I watch from the window of my office as the vehicles pull up to the front entrance. Four cars and at least a dozen men, from what I can see.

Father-in-law dearest decided to pay a visit.

“Boss.” Tassilo appears in the doorway. “We have a visitor.”