Chapter 6: CHAPTER 6

MILES

"What do you mean you need to talk to Mr. Stephens?" Jay, my right-hand man, who's more like a brother than just an employee, asked, his brow knitting together in confusion.

"I need his help with something—or someone, actually." The senator owes me more than he knows—his life and his position, to be exact. My father was the one who secured that seat for him, with my help, and I'm the one who saved his family from an assassination.

Jay blinked, clearly struggling to wrap his head around my plan. "You want to cash in one of your two favors?" he asked, slowly, drawing out the words as if trying to make sense of it. I nodded in response.

He threw his hands up in frustration, glaring at me. "As far as I know, you're not in any legal mess, so why waste one of those favors?"

"Axelle," I answered, my voice smug as I reached for the glass of whiskey on my desk.

Jay blinked again, this time rapidly, clearly shocked. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Axelle is going to be hit with some serious money laundering charges, and I can't just stand by and watch her drown in it."

Jay was stunned into silence, his eyes wide with disbelief as he reached for his bottle and gulped down his drink in one swift motion. His face twisted in discomfort as the hot liquor burned its way down his throat. "Are we talking about a Brandwith who turned Diablo?" he demanded, his voice dripping with shock and disbelief. I nodded again, confirming what he was struggling to comprehend.

His eyes widened so much it looked like they might pop out of their sockets. "Why on earth are you involving yourself in a matter that concerns a Diablo?" he exclaimed, his voice rising with alarm.

I ignored his outburst, twirling the pen between my fingers with a bored expression as I stared at him. He was practically vibrating with frustration. "Why aren't you saying anything?" he gritted out, clearly on edge. "This is just a scandal waiting to explode, and you know it."

Rolling my eyes at his dramatics, I dropped the pen on the desk and leaned forward, meeting his gaze. "There's no scandal waiting to happen," I replied, my voice confident. "That family used her, manipulated her and now she's trapped. She can't even divorce her scumbag husband without risking a jail term."

"Scumbag…" Jay sighed, a weariness in his voice. "You think I don't see it?"

It was my turn to be thrown off balance. "See what?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

"The way you look at her during those occasions when you happen to cross paths with her," he said, his tone serious. "Or how you stop whatever you're doing whenever news about her comes up, and then you just stare at it for far too long?"

Surely I wasn't that obvious. "Don't be ridiculous," I scoffed, dismissing his observation with a wave of my hand.

"With all due respect, Miles, you're the one being ridiculous," he shot back, drumming his index finger on the desk to underscore his point. "You're the one who's ready to go to any lengths to help a married woman leave her husband, just so you can have her all to yourself."

"That's enough!" I snapped, my jaw tightening with anger. "Do not cross the fucking line."

Jay threw his hands up in exasperation. "I apologize if it seems like I'm overstepping, that wasn't my intention. But someone needs to tell you the truth—this is all wrong."

"So what are you trying to say?" I gritted out. "That I should just let her rot in that shackle they call a marriage and stand by while that family continues to use her as their shield?" Jay didn't even bother to respond verbally; he just blinked at me, his silence speaking volumes.

"Her so-called husband made her sign money laundering documents, all under the guise of legitimate investments," I continued.

"They did her dirty, I'll give you that," Jay finally admitted, his tone resigned. "But that doesn't mean you have to get involved."

When he realized I wasn't about to change my mind, he dragged his hand down his face, frustration evident in every line. "Next thing you know, you'll be offering to get her a divorce lawyer," he added, the sarcasm thick in his voice, expecting me to laugh it off.

But I didn't. My silence was all the confirmation he needed. Jay snatched the whiskey bottle off the table, leaning back in his chair with a defeated sigh. "For fuck's sake!"

I was about to respond, ready to argue my case further, when my phone chimed on the desk. I reached for it, my frown deepening as I read the message from Axelle.

Jay noticed how my eyes darkened with anger, and his entire demeanor shifted instantly, his body tensing as he sensed something was seriously wrong. "What's going on?"

I didn't waste time explaining. I shot up from my seat, grabbing my jacket and car keys in one swift motion. "Adan locked Axelle up," I ground out, the fury in my voice unmistakable. The bastard is literally holding her hostage.

Without hesitating, I clicked on my contacts and dialed Garry's number. He's a cop, and he should be able to get me access to that damn house.

Garry picked up after a few rings. "I'm heading to the Western Life condo," I informed him. Everyone knows where that couple lives—the paparazzi have been on them ever since they said their vows. "Someone's being held hostage against her will, and I need to check it out."

"This isn't just some random family where you can waltz in and demand access," Garry argued, his voice tense. "We don't have a warrant, and this could blow up in our faces. We could get reported for this."

"Fuck off," I muttered, hanging up on Garry without waiting for a response. I shoved the phone into my pocket and stormed out of my office, my anger propelling me forward.

Jay was hot on my heels, and we got into the elevator together. "You know this is crazy, right?" he said, trying to keep up with my pace.

I shot him a glare.

"What?" he blurted out, clearly not getting the hint. "Those two are still legally married. You really shouldn't be interfering. She's in her own home."

"If you don't have anything better to say, then keep your mouth shut," I growled, the warning clear in my voice. Jay quickly mimed zipping his lips and didn't say another word until we reached the car.

As we climbed in, he finally broke his silence. "How do you intend on getting access to the house?"

A smirk tugged at my lips as it clicked in my mind. Adan had been to one of the exclusive clubs in the city—of course, he didn't know it was owned by me. He'd done a whole load of drugs in one of the private booths, and, naturally, I'd had the whole thing recorded. After all, I don't play fair, and I always keep an ace up my sleeve.

"Blackmail."

Jay blinked twice, clearly stunned. "Excuse me?"

"Call Anita," I instructed. "Tell her to forward those pictures we have of Adan Diablo to me." I didn't want them to know I was involved in this case with Axelle, but it looked like I was about to blow my cover.

Jay, still in shock, made the call. Within a few minutes, my phone chimed with the incoming images. Jay glanced at the phone and then back at me, curiosity evident. "What are you blackmailing him with?"

"Pictures of him doing drugs with his friends," I replied, a grim satisfaction in my voice.

Jay whistled low, clearly impressed. "That'll definitely make him let her go, but he's going to be really pissed."

When we arrived at the condo, we were initially barred from entry. It's no secret that the Williams and the Diablos aren't on friendly terms.

Eventually, after I instructed his security to inform Adan that I had something he'd definitely want to see, we were granted access.

Stepping into the living room, I didn't bother taking a seat. I was here on business, not for relaxation.

Adan strolled into the room with a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips, his expression indifferent. "What is it that you have that might be of interest to me?" he asked, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.

Without a word, I clicked on the picture and handed him my phone. "You have something I want, Adan."

The moment his eyes landed on the image, his jaw tightened in anger. "How the fuck did you get this?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

Shrugging nonchalantly, I glanced up the stairs, my mind calculating where Axelle might be. "How I got the picture isn't important. What matters is what I intend to do with it."

Adan's grip on the phone tightened as he stared at me, his knuckles whitening. "What do you want?"

I jerked my head toward the stairs. "Axelle."

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