The file burned in Alyssa's hands.
She had spent weeks digging, hacking, bribing, and lying to get this information only to wish she had never found it. The documents were damning. Transactions, shell companies, encrypted communications all linking Hayes Industries to Viktor Volkov's syndicate.
And Dominic's signature was on half of them.
Alyssa stormed into his penthouse without knocking. The sleek, modern space all glass and steel felt like a gilded cage now. Dominic stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a whiskey in hand, silhouetted against the city lights. He turned, his sharp features softening slightly when he saw her.
"Alyssa." His voice was calm, but his eyes flicked to the folder in her grip. "You look like you're about to shoot someone."
"Maybe I should," she snapped, slamming the file onto the marble coffee table. "Explain this."
Dominic set his glass down and flipped through the pages. His expression darkened with each sheet.
"Where did you get this?"
"Does it matter?" Alyssa crossed her arms. "You've been lying to me. This whole time, you've been working with Volkov."
Dominic's jaw tightened. "I didn't know."
She let out a bitter laugh. "Bullshit. Your company, your deals, your *signature*."
"Alyssa, listen to me." He stepped closer, but she backed away. "These transactions were buried. Someone inside my company has been laundering money for Volkov without my knowledge."
"Convenient."
His patience snapped. "If I was working with Volkov, why the hell would I have saved you from his men? Why would I be risking my neck to help you?"
"Maybe you had your own reasons." She met his glare. "Maybe this was all just a game to you."
Dominic's voice dropped dangerously low. "You really think that?"
Alyssa hesitated. She *wanted* to believe him. But trust had gotten people killed before.
"I think I can't afford to take the risk."
Dominic exhaled sharply. "Fine. But if you keep digging like this, Volkov *will* come for you. And next time, I might not be there to stop him."
"I don't need your protection." She turned toward the door.
"Alyssa."
She paused but didn't look back.
"Be careful."
The door slammed behind her.