Brad’s POV
Back in my study, I settled into my chair as Alex seamlessly connected the signal feed to the larger monitors. The multiple screens flickered to life, showing different angles of the room where Eric and Mira were having their little rendezvous.
I had to admit, I was curious to see what “interesting developments” would unfold after Elle and I had left.
And fuck, was I not disappointed.
On the main screen, I watched Eric attempt what could only be described as the most pathetic exit strategy I’d ever witnessed. The fat
bastard was actually trying to weasel out of his promise to Mira.
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Eric’s voice came through the speakers, dripping with false warmth. “How about this, I’ll buy you a mansion in Moonshade Bay and give
you one million a month. You just need to be happy and enjoy yourself.”
Through the feed, I watched Mira’s amber eyes flash with dangerous light as she sat up abruptly in bed, the sheets falling away from her
naked form. Even from this angle, I could see the predatory gleam that suddenly sharpened her features.
“Eric, what the hell do you mean?” Her voice had lost all pretense of sweetness. “Didn’t we agree? I come here to keep you company, and
you sell me your shares. I’m buying them, not asking for a handout.”
There it is, I thought with satisfaction. The mask was finally slipping.
I could see the exact moment Eric realized he’d made a tactical error. His eyes darted around nervously as he recalled the warning I’d
given him just days ago. The man was clearly torn between his greed and his very justified fear of me.
But what happened next exceeded even my expectations.
Eric’s face went ashen as he scrambled out of bed, hastily throwing on a bathrobe before signing a check and tossing it onto the mattress.
“This is for jewelry,‘ he said, his voice shaking slightly as he turned toward the door.
Oh, this is rich. I watched Mira’s expression transform into something truly terrifying.
She leaped from the bed like a hunting cat, blocking Eric’s path to the door. Those amber eyes blazed with cold fury, and for the first
time, I saw her true nature fully unleashed.
“What the fuck is this supposed to mean, Eric?‘ she snarled, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “This pocket change – you think this
is enough to dismiss me?”
I had to give her credit, Even naked and furious, Mira commanded the room with predatory grace. She pulled out her phone and made a
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Chapter 277
quick call.
Show Eric what we discussed,‘ she said simply before hanging up.
Interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Within minutes, there was a knock at the door. Someone handed Mira a USB drive, and I watched with growing anticipation as she
connected it to the room’s entertainment system.
The video that played on Eric’s hotel room screen made even my eyebrows rise slightly.
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There was Eric, clear as day, meeting with representatives from a rival pack – one of the Eastern European groups that had been testing
our territorial boundaries lately. I watched money change hands, saw the exchange of what looked like expertly forged documents.
From my study, I could identify those passports immediately. They were masterful forgeries – good enough to fool most security systems,
complete with fabricated but convincing backstories. The kind of documents that could get someone across any border, with a completely
new identity.
My lips curved into a cold smile. Well, well, Eric. Looks like you’ve been busier than I thought.
“Perfect,” I murmured to myself. “Just when I was running low on leverage against our dear board member.”
On screen, Eric’s face had gone from pale to green. The fat fool was practically shaking as he stared at the evidence of his betrayal playing
out in high definition.
Mira clicked off the video and turned to face him, her smile razor–sharp and utterly without warmth.
“Now then, Eric,” she purred, running her manicured fingers along his trembling jaw. “Are you ready to have a proper conversation with
me?”
She straightened his robe with mock tenderness, her eyes never leaving his terrified face.
“Tell me, Eric – if I were to send this little video to Brad, what do you think would happen to you? Given his… reputation for handling
traitors?”
Eric’s voice cracked as he whispered, “You’re threatening me.”
I’m giving you an opportunity,” Mira corrected smoothly. “You’ve arranged for your mate and children to live safely in Europe, haven’t
you? Do you really think that makes them safe from Brad’s reach?”
I watched Eric’s entire body begin to shake. The mention of his family had clearly hit home.
“Think about your mate and children, Eric,” Mira continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Don’t you want to cooperate with me for
their sake? I’m not asking for much just those little stock options of yours.”
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Chapter 277
She produced a contract from seemingly nowhere and held it out to him.
“Just sign this, and I promise every copy of that video originals and duplicates will be returned to you. What do you say? Ready to
consider a partnership?”
Eric stared at the contract with the look of a trapped animal. I could practically smell his fear through the screen.
Eric’s bladder chose that moment to fail him entirely.
Pathetic.
Mira wrinkled her nose in disgust but pressed the contract closer to his shaking hands.
“Sign it, Eric.”
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But even in his terror, Eric managed to ask the one question that mattered: “What about you? Why do you want my shares? I don’t believe
this is about money.”
Mira’s hand shot out, gripping his flabby cheek with surprising strength.
“Eric,” she whispered, her voice deadly quiet. “Knowing too much can be very dangerous. Very fatal, even.”
She patted his cheek almost gently, and I saw Eric’s eyes widen in sudden understanding.
“You… you…” he stammered, pointing a shaking finger at her. “You want access to the Rayne family’s control over the black market trade
networks…”
“Eric,” Mira cut him off sharply, her eyes flashing with lethal intent. “I already warned you about asking too many questions.”
Eric actually lost control of his bladder a second time.
Christ. And this man sits on my board of directors.
“My patience has limits, Eric,” Mira warned.
Watching her true nature finally emerge completely was fascinating.
“Even if you take my shares, they won’t be enough,” Eric babbled desperately. “The trade network requires a minimum thirty percent
controlling interest to access.”
Mira’s smile turned absolutely feral.
“Thank you so much for that clarification, Eric. I will acquire thirty percent. Everything I want, I get.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
