Page 46 of Billionaire’s Heartbreak

His eyes didn’t leave mine. “And if the triad has the right leader, the right direction… things fall into place. The streets stay quiet. People follow. They don’t need to be owned. They need to be led.”

“You don’t know that,” I pushed.

“Yes, I do,” he said. “You do too.”

A chill ran through me.

“When he had us taken,” Dannie continued, “there was a kill order.” My stomach dropped. “If it wasn’t for Auntie Five going behind his back… you and I would already be dead.”

A shiver crawled down my spine. “Are you saying…” I swallowed, my voice lower now. “He was planning to kill me back then?”

“Yes.”

No hesitation. No doubt.

“So if he finds out now that we⁠—”

“He won’t hesitate.” The words fell out of Dannie’s mouth like a death sentence.

I stood there, suddenly aware of what I had stepped into. I thought I was helping June. Just helping. Now I was in the middle of something much bigger. Much darker.

“You see what I’ve been dealing with my whole life?” Dannie said quietly. “And now the universe is finally giving me a way out.” He let out a slow breath. “And I’m ready to take it.”

“No,” I said immediately, firm and unyielding. “You’re not dying.”

My voice tightened. “I won’t allow it. You don’t get to leave. Not again. Not after everything.”

He didn’t argue. He just looked at me, then changed the subject.

“Once you get there,” he said, “Squirrel will find a way to contact you and June.”

I frowned. “What do you mean? Where is he now?”

“He’s in hiding,” Dannie said. “His loyalty to me puts him on my uncle’s kill list.”

“And he’ll know what to do?”

“There’ll be others with him,” he said. “People we can trust.” His eyes met mine again.

I let out a short, incredulous laugh. “And they’re just supposed to fall in line and listen to me?” I shook my head. “I don’t even know what I’m doing.”

“They will listen to June. You just need to guide her,” he said. “I’ve done my research. I know how ruthless you run your business. And this isn’t that different.”

I stared at him. “You’re joking.”

“I’m not.” His voice stayed calm. “At the end of the day, it’s still about money, power, and influence. Sometimes reputation comes into play. Pride. Face. But people are simple. They want what everyone wants.”

“Except some are willing to take it further,” I said.

Dannie nodded, “Exactly.”

I shook my head. “But I don’t have that in me,” I admitted.

Dannie studied me, his gaze sharpening. “I’m sure you do.”

I let out a quiet, humorless breath. “You’re wrong.”

He didn’t argue. Instead, he said, “Your cousin, Jenny. She did what she had to do to protect her children—and you.”