Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 89: Bound by Secrets

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Bound by Secrets

Tension permeated the air in Ethan’s apartment, settling deeply into the bones and refusing to release. Every second seemed like a ticking clock after the encounter with Alec Moreau, bringing them one step closer to the impending storm. Though his eyes were fixed on the city skyline as he stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Ethan’s thoughts were elsewhere—on a battlefield of survival and strategy.

Lily watched him from the couch while holding a glass of water. The stiffness of his shoulders and the faint twitch of his fingers told her that a storm was building inside of him. He was absorbed in his thoughts, figuring out every action and every outcome.

Setting her glass aside, she approached him and put a soft touch on his arm. She said, "You’re thinking too much."

Ethan exhaled slowly without turning. "I have no other option."

She said, "Yes, you do." "For once, let someone else take care of this."

At last, he turned to face her, a sneer pulling at his lips but not his eyes. "You are aware that this isn’t how it works."

Lily let out a sigh. "You don’t have to do it all by yourself, Ethan."

He clenched his jaw. "Lily, you don’t get it. Whether or not we make it through this depends on every action I take.

She took a step forward. "Then allow me to assist you."

Ethan paused, looking for signs of fear, hesitation, or doubt on her face. But he couldn’t find any. Just unflinching resolve.

His phone buzzed before he could answer. His face reddened as he read the message after he took it out.

Come see me. Midnight. By themselves. – J

Lily scowled. "Who is it?"

Ethan paused. "A source of information. Someone knowing Moreau

Lily felt a knot in her gut. "That might be a trap."

"Perhaps." He put his phone in his pocket. "But I have to leave if there’s even a possibility it’s real."

Lily folded her arms. "Then I’ll accompany you."

Ethan gave a headshake. "This time, no."

Frustration flared in her eyes. "Ethan—"

"Lily, it’s not up for debate." He spoke in a forceful yet friendly tone. "I need you to be safe."

Despite clenching her hands, she remained silent. She was familiar enough with him to know when he was unyielding.

She wasn’t going to sit around doing nothing, though.

The Gathering

The warehouse was deserted, and the air was heavy with the smell of dust and rusting metal. Long shadows were created against the broken concrete walls by the flickering of a solitary overhead lamp.

With his senses keen and his fingers hovering over the revolver concealed beneath his jacket, Ethan entered. He was not going to down his defenses—not just yet.

A man in his late forties wearing a heavy coat appeared out of the shadows. His eyes cautiously scanned the room, his face lined with experience.

"Calloway," the guy said in a quiet voice.

"Jacob," answered Ethan. "I hope this is worth my time."

After looking around, Jacob took a step forward. "Moreau is not as slow as you may believe. He’s not only pursuing you; he’s isolating every one of your pals individually.

Ethan’s face grew serious. "How are you aware of this?"

Jacob let out a breath. "Because I was his employee once."

Tension-filled silence hung between them.

Ethan wiggled his fingers. "And you’re changing sides now?"

Jacob grinned. "I know what happens to people who outlive their usefulness with Moreau," the speaker said.

Ethan looked at him. "What are you looking for?"

Jacob paused and said more softly. "Protection." I’ll give you everything in exchange, including his safe shelters, supply routes, and even the names of people he trusts.

Although it was alluring, Ethan wasn’t gullible. "How can I be sure you’re not putting me in danger?"

Jacob’s face became stern. "Because I’m already dead if Moreau discovers I’m here."

Ethan thought about him. His statements were true, but trust wasn’t necessarily a result of truth.

A long minute later, he nodded. "All right. However, I will personally murder you if you betray me.

Jacob grinned. "All right."

Uncovering Secrets

After midnight, with his thoughts racing, Ethan went back to the penthouse. If Jacob’s knowledge was accurate, it was valuable. Time was running short if Moreau was really cutting off his allies.

He thought Lily would be asleep.

She was waiting for him instead.

With her arms folded and her eyes piercing with resolve, she sat on the couch. "Tell me everything."

With a groan, Ethan combed through his hair. "Lily—"

She cut him off, saying, "No more secrets, Ethan." "I need to know what our opponent is."

Arguments were pointless. His elbows rested on his knees as he sat next to her. "Moreau is not only pursuing me; he is eradicating everyone who has ever assisted me. I will be utterly alone if I do not take action initially.

Lily took a deep breath. "Then we defend ourselves."

Ethan looked her in the eye. "This goes beyond simply retaliating. We must be intelligent. If you make one mistake, it’s done.

She gave a nod. "So, what’s the strategy?"

Ethan paused. For years, he had kept everyone at bay and carried all the weight by himself. However, Lily was no ordinary person.

He had her.

He also had no intention of pushing her away.

He stated, "We begin by striking Moreau where the pain is greatest." "His activities, his assets." We deprive him of everything until he is left with nothing.

Lily let out a breath. "Therefore, we save time."

Ethan grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Lily, if something goes wrong, you have to—"

"No," she interrupted him. "I’m not going to run. Never again.

After examining her for a while, Ethan nodded. "Then we work together on this."

She tightened her grip on his hand. "With each other."

For an instant, Ethan’s forehead touched hers as he drew her closer. With her, he felt as though he was no longer battling only for himself, even though he wasn’t used to sharing the burden of his struggles.

"Make me a promise," he whispered.

Lily’s head cocked. "What?"

"You’ll have faith in me if things go risky—if it’s life or death. No careless actions. He tightened his hold on her hand. "No needless dangers."

She kept her eyes on him, her determination unflinching. "Only if you make the same promise."

Ethan’s lips were pulled by a slow sneer. "Agree."

The war was on. And together, they would confront it.