Isla stood near the tall windows 1 breath 2 arms crossed eyes fixed on the dark skyline her reflection staring back at her like a ghost
Behind her Damien moved in silence 1 step 2 he packed the travel folder slid it into a leather bag like this was just business like they were not standing on the edge of something deeper
We are just getting on a plane she said voice sharp like glass to Geneva like this is normal
He did not look at her 1 second 2 you know it is not
That is not the point
Then say what you are actually thinking Isla
She turned 1 step 2 voice rising I am thinking you are hiding something again and I am sick of it
He said nothing at first just stood there watching her with that unreadable gaze like he was waiting for her to calm down but she did not
I found the name Marcus Vale on that transfer she said low and dangerous it was buried but it was there and you did not even flinch when I said it yesterday
Damien jaw tight eyes sharp because I know who he is
And
He used to work for my father
Silence 1 second 2 the words cut deeper than she expected
You knew he was involved and you did not tell me
I was not sure until recently and I was not going to accuse a ghost without proof
You do not get to make that decision for both of us
You were not ready to hear it
No she said fire in her chest you were not ready to say it
Damien stepped closer voice low tight you think this is easy for me my father trusted him I trusted him if he is involved then everything
Then everything what she pushed breath shallow
Then I was blind just like your father was with Cole
1 second 2 they stared at each other everything raw between them
I need you to stop lying by omission she said you do not get to protect me by keeping me in the dark we are either in this together or we are not
We are
Then start acting like it
1 breath 2 silence heavy in the air
We leave in two hours Damien said voice quieter now more careful
She looked at him for 1 second 2 then turned toward the door
Then I will be ready
1 step 2 3 she did not look back but the tension followed her like a shadow that would not let go
Isla sat by the window 1 breath 2 the engines hummed beneath her feet soft and steady like the tension threading through her spine
Damien sat beside her unreadable as ever one hand resting loosely on his leg the other holding a black folder she had yet to see inside
The plane lifted 1 second 2 city lights shrinking below them until the skyline was nothing but a memory her stomach tightened but she kept her face still 1 breath 2 steady
Neither of them spoke for the first hour 1 silence 2 and yet the air between them was loud
You have not asked why we are really going to Geneva Damien said finally voice quiet but sharp
Because I already know she replied without looking at him Marcus Vale is there
He said nothing 1 second 2 his silence said enough
And you think he will talk
He owes me Damien said and that is either enough or it is not
Isla turned to face him 1 heartbeat 2 and if it is not
Then we find another way
The flight attendant passed offering wine she declined Damien did not he sipped it like he needed something to hold onto
You always have a plan Isla said
And you never trust it
That is because your plans usually come with consequences you do not warn me about
He glanced at her 1 second 2 fair enough
She looked back out the window clouds soft and endless the night sky a sea of black and silver stars
What if he is not there she asked what if this was all a distraction
Then we follow the money again Damien said we follow the names we dig until it hurts and then we dig deeper
She nodded 1 breath 2 because this was their life now
She glanced at the folder in his lap and what is that
Insurance
That is vague even for you
Damien offered a small smirk 1 second 2 the dangerous kind the one that made
her heart skip for reasons she hated
You will see when the time is right
She wanted to push but held back instead reaching for her tablet files open tracking the last offshore transfer she had marked a pattern forming one she had almost missed
Every third month same shell company same loop through Zurich
She turned the screen toward him see this
He leaned in just enough to study it eyes narrowing
Someone is paying to keep this trail alive she said and that someone is either Marcus or the person controlling him
1 second 2 he leaned back again good work Isla
It should not feel like praise but it did
The pilot announced the descent and Isla felt her chest tighten again 1 breath 2 this was it
They were one step closer to answers or one step closer to something worse
Damien glanced at her as the plane tilted down and whatever happens next you stay close
Always she said
Not because she had to
Because she wanted to
1 second 2 the wheels touched down
Welcome to Geneva