Jade froze at Enzo’s words, her heart pounding in her chest. “What do you mean my name is on the list?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Enzo set his phone down on the table, leaning forward with a serious expression. “The documents we recovered from the warehouse included a list of people Vivienne has been targeting. Your name is at the top.”
Thiago’s eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. “Targeting how? Are these potential threats, blackmail victims, or something worse?”
Enzo rubbed his temple, clearly trying to piece things together. “It’s not entirely clear yet. But the fact that Jade’s name is there, front and center, is enough to tell me Vivienne is planning something specific for her.”
Milan sat silently, his sharp gaze fixed on the phone. “What else was on the list? Any familiar names?”
“Some business rivals, political figures, and a few unknowns,” Enzo replied. “But Jade being at the top tells me this isn’t random. It’s personal.”
Jade swallowed hard, trying to stay composed. “Why me? I don’t have anything to do with her.”
“She knows you’re important to us,” Milan said, his voice calm but icy. “She’s using you to get to us. To rattle us.”
“And it’s working,” Jade said bitterly, hugging herself. “She’s been in my head since that message, and now this? What if she’s planning to hurt me, or worse?”
Thiago stepped forward, crouching beside her. “Listen to me, Jade. She’s not going to get near you. Not as long as we’re here.”
Milan nodded, his tone decisive. “We’ve been letting her control the narrative for too long. That ends now.”
The room fell into silence as Enzo’s phone buzzed again. He picked it up, scanning the screen quickly before standing. “One of my men just sent over a lead. They found an associate who might know more about the list and Vivienne’s next move.”
Thiago grinned faintly. “Well, that’s progress. Where is this associate?”
Enzo’s expression darkened. “They’re holding him at one of our secure locations. He’s refusing to talk, but that won’t last long.”
Milan stood as well, his posture rigid. “We’ll handle it. The sooner we get answers, the better.”
Jade’s stomach churned. “What happens if he doesn’t talk?”
“He’ll talk,” Milan said simply, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Thiago glanced at Jade, his voice softer. “We need to move fast, Jade. This is about keeping you safe. You understand that, right?”
Jade nodded slowly, though the fear in her chest remained. “Just… be careful. Please.”
As the men prepared to leave, Milan turned to Enzo. “You stay here.”
Enzo frowned. “What? Why?”
“Because someone needs to stay with Jade,” Milan said firmly. “We can’t risk leaving her unprotected, especially now.”
Enzo hesitated but eventually nodded. “Fine. But you let me know the second you have anything.”
“We will,” Milan replied, grabbing his jacket.