Chapter 2 - The Stranger in the Shadows
The next morning, Axton woke up and played the role of the devoted, adoring husband so perfectly it made me physically nauseous. He ordered room service, kissed my cheek, and suggested we spend the day relaxing in the suite before our flight to the Maldives.
"I actually need to run down to the lobby," I lied effortlessly, sipping my black coffee. "I left my garment bag with the concierge, and I want to make sure it's shipped to my mother's house properly."
"I can have bell services handle it, Callie," Axton offered, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"No, I need the fresh air anyway," I smiled, a bright, vapid smile that I knew he expected from his naive bride. "I'll be back in twenty minutes."
I took the elevator down to the lobby, bypassed the concierge desk entirely, and walked straight out the revolving doors of the hotel. A sleek, black town car was idling at the curb. The rear window rolled down, revealing the pale, striking eyes of the stranger from the wedding. Silas Vance.
I climbed into the back seat, and the partition separating us from the driver slid shut.
"I didn't expect you to contact me so quickly," Silas said, his voice a low, gravelly baritone. He looked me over, noting the dark circles under my eyes that my makeup couldn't quite hide. "I take it the wedding night was revealing."
"He whispered my sister's name," I said, my voice dead and hollow. "And then I found their text messages. They've been together for at least a year. They are planning to trick me into signing over the Sterling Trust controlling shares on Friday."
Silas didn't look surprised. He just looked deeply, profoundly angry on my behalf. "Axton Callaway is a parasite. Three years ago, he was my business partner. We built a logistics firm together. He embezzled millions, pinned the financial discrepancies on my brother, and forced him into a plea deal to avoid prison. Axton walked away clean and wealthy. I've spent three years tracking his movements, waiting for him to make a mistake."
"And I'm the mistake?" I asked, looking down at my hands.
"No," Silas said softly, his pale eyes holding mine with a sudden, intense warmth. "You are the weapon. Axton needs your signature on Friday to legally transfer the Sterling assets into a joint holding company. If he gets that, he bankrupts your family's legacy and leaves you with nothing while he runs off with Mila. But if we spring the trap before he does, we can destroy him."
"How?"
Silas pulled a thick manila folder from the leather seat beside him. "By letting him think he has already won. I have access to his offshore accounts, but I need physical proof of his intent to defraud the Sterling Trust to hand over to the SEC and the FBI. I need you to play the loving, oblivious wife for the next four days. I need you to let him bring you those papers. And then, we burn his world to the ground."
I looked at the folder, then at Silas. This man was a stranger, but looking into his eyes, I saw the same burning, unyielding desire for justice that was currently keeping me breathing.
"My sister," I whispered, the betrayal stinging like salt in a fresh wound. "She smiled at me while I put on my wedding dress. She fixed my veil."
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"She will get exactly what she deserves, Callie," Silas promised, his hand gently covering mine. "I won't let them take anything else from you."
I took a deep breath, steeling my spine. "Okay. What's the plan?"
