460 Threats

Golden Phoenix Residences

Katherine and Damien sped towards the penthouse, ignoring all the traffic lights on the way. She knew that Chris wouldn't hurt Styles, but it didn't mean that she wouldn't be worried about them being together. Plus, Amelia was in the penthouse. They couldn't tell how much they could trust Chris once he'd know that the first rogue agent was there with them, knowing that Parker would never allow Amelia to be alive. 

As they reached the front of the building, they immediately stepped out of the car, and Markus went to park it in the basement. Once the two reached the elevator, Katherine looked at Damien and took his hand in hers. She could see how he was worried and she knew why. "Don't worry, I'm sure she's safe," she told him and gave his hand a squeeze.

He only nodded, his head churning for any possible scenarios.

Arriving at the 61st floor's foyer, Damien's men had surrounded the living room, their firearms drawn and pointing at Chris who wasn't the least bit afraid as he stood facing the view of the ocean. 

Damien tightened his hold on Katherine's hand when he saw the man's back and his brows were knitted as he scanned the living room—his mother was nowhere in sight.

"Queen! King Charming!" Styles hurriedly ran over to where the two stood.

She examined Styles to check if he was hurt anywhere but he didn't seem like he was. "You okay?"

Styles nodded as he hugged Katherine, feeling relieved to finally see the two arrive. Back in Shadow, he had thought of Chris as his big brother but the circumstances now were different, and knowing how capable Chris was, Styles was, of course, afraid for his life. He learned basic self-defense and gun handling, but not against people like Chris. 

Meeting Damien's stare, Styles knew what the other was worried about, so he whispered in a very low tone as they briefly hugged. "She's at your place. I already warned her not to come."

As soon as Damien heard Styles, he exhaled a sigh of relief and nodded, patting him on the back for a 'job well done'.

Chris turned around and an arrogant smile formed on his face. His gaze landed on Katherine immediately and he remarked, "I always thought you looked beautiful in that dress. Just like that night…"

Damien's jaw ticked and his voice became cold. The only other time he thought Katherine wore the dress was during their engagement night months ago. "What is he talking about?"

Katherine's eyes were icy as she shot Chris a glare. "He was there that night at the L'Empereur Brûlent. I saw him outside while I waited for you. He watched us like a stalker."

Not waiting for anyone else to speak, Chris walked towards the sofa, the guns that were pointed at him followed him as he moved. "So, is anyone going to tell me why am I being summoned?"

Damien took the files from Markus who was standing nearby and whispered so only they could hear, "Tell Felix to go up." Then, Damien headed towards the coffee table—the only thing separating them from Chris—and tossed the files on it. "We already know who you're meeting with at Central Harbor Restaurant."

Chris's expression hardened when he saw the papers on the table. There were pictures of him and the woman he was meeting with—Sandra Hughes, a Director of NIA. He didn't have to pick up the files to double-check, but he wondered how much they knew. He looked at Styles who flinched when he met his eyes and he scoffed. "I missed you in my team, Styles," he said as though he already knew that it was Styles's doing. "You were one of our best assets—and Queen of course," he added, glancing at Katherine.

"Don't change the subject, Chris," she said.

"Fine. It took you long enough. So, what are you planning to do with this?" he asked.

"We know you're hiding something and you don't want Parker to know. We just don't know why…"

Chris let out a laugh, crossing his arms as he looked at Katherine straight in the eyes. "This is one thing that hasn't changed about you. You're inquisitive. But I'm sorry to say, Katherine, this is none of your business."

Mirroring his arrogance, Katherine crossed her arms in front of her, and with a serious expression, she told him, "Maybe not… But we need something from you. So unless you give it, we will expose this… And I'll make sure that Parker gets the message."

Chris scoffed. "And how will you do that? I doubt you guys know where he is." He scanned the faces of the people in front of him. First, Katherine, next Damien, then Styles. "I'm pretty sure none of you have figured out where the new base is. Am I right?"

"We don't have to know that to get the message across to Parker," Damien started. "You know who I am, don't you? Just one flick of my fingers and an article—disguised as a scandal, or a rumor, whatever you want to call it—will be sent live. She's the wife of Connor—a prominent businessman in the country. With you in the picture, it may look like it's just a case of 'infidelity' to other people… But I'm sure when your boss sees it, and I'm sure he will… He would know what's up. Am I right?" A slow sly and dangerous grin painted his face.

Chris clenched his jaw and his eyes darkened. He was left with no choice and he hated it. Closing his eyes for a brief second, he sighed and reluctantly responded. "Fine."

All eyes and ears were on him as they waited for his next words. They watched as his expression changed from his confident self to something that Katherine and Styles had never seen on him before. 

Chris ran a hand across his face and revealed, "I have a sister. And Parker has been holding her against me for years."