Julian knew he was playing a dangerous game. But he also knew he had no choice. Elara's presence had become a necessity, a catalyst for his dormant creativity.
After a tense night, he left the penthouse, leaving strict instructions for the security detail. He drove to the lower end of the city, where the expensive galleries gave way to grimy, abandoned warehouses.
He arrived at an unmarked building and was buzzed in. Inside, it was a tech sanctuary, filled with screens and servers. A man with a mess of wire-rimmed glasses looked up from his desk.
"Julian Vance. I heard you were in trouble."
"I need a trace, Silas. An investigator named Reyes. And I need to know who is footing his bill."
Silas didn't ask questions. He worked, his fingers blurring across the keyboard.
"Reyes is freelance, but his contract is tied to a shell company," Silas said, pulling up a map of corporate connections. "And that company is owned by... Elias Thorne."
Julian's breath hitched. Elias Thorne. He wasn't just a powerful investor; he was the owner of the rival conservatory that Elara had attended. Thorne was a man with a reputation for ruthless efficiency and a long history of suppressing talent he couldn't control.
"Thorne," Julian muttered, the name leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "He's been hunting her for years."
Silas looked up, his expression serious. "Julian, this is a dangerous game. Thorne doesn't care about art. He cares about power and control. If he finds out you're hiding Elara..."
"He won't," Julian interrupted, his voice a low growl. "Not if I get to him first."
He left the warehouse and drove to Thorne's high-rise office. He knew he was taking a huge risk, but he also knew that he couldn't let Thorne find Elara.
He walked into Thorne's office, his expression confident and defiant. "Mr. Thorne, I believe you're looking for someone."
Thorne looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable. "Julian Vance. I heard you were in trouble."
"I'm here to offer you a deal," Julian said, his voice a low velvet. "I know where Elara Moon is, and I can give her to you. But I want something in return."
Thorne's expression shifted, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "And what is that?"
"I want you to leave her alone," Julian said, his voice a low growl. "I want you to stop hunting her. And I want you to pay me for my silence."