CHAPTER 118: GET HIM OUT OF HERE

Reese, who had been relaxedly watching the exchange spoke up in a flat, measured tone. "Miss Morales doesn’t seem like a yacht lady."

Winn groaned. "See? That’s how beautiful her heart is," he said. "She wouldn’t even want me doing this right now."

Then the practical man in Winn asserted itself. He turned back to Reese, the smile gone, the businesslike edge back in full force. "Get him out of here, Reese."

"Mr. Kane, please. Commissioned cannot know. The CEO will kill me. I’m begging you." Sweat glistened on Kevin’s forehead despite the chill night air, and his breath came fast. He stumbled forward, nearly falling to his knees, the raw fear in his tone pulling at the darker edges of Winn’s patience.

"Ah, the mob boss. I forget," Winn drawled, that half-smile curling his lips. "Yes, I’ve heard of him."

Kevin’s eyes went wide, desperate. "Mr. Kane, I promise, I’ll get rid of the pictures. I swear it. You’ll never hear from me again. I have kids, please." Reese’s grip on his arm tightened, dragging him backward, and Kevin’s pleading grew shriller, thinner.

Winn turned away. "You should’ve thought of your kids," he said quietly. "Before you tried to destroy a woman who did nothing to you."

Reese gave a curt nod and hauled Kevin toward the car. Winn stood still for a long moment, his jaw set tight. He wasn’t actually going to file that lawsuit — Ivy would never forgive him if he stirred up more chaos right before their wedding — but that didn’t matter. He had sent a message. Commissioned would know.

And that was enough.

He exhaled slowly, walked back into his house, and set his glass down on the kitchen counter.

*****

A few minutes later, Winn’s car pulled up in front of Ivy’s house. He knocked once, firm but not loud.

The door cracked open. Ivy stood there barefoot, her hair loose around her shoulders, wearing an oversized sweatshirt. Her eyes widened in surprise — then narrowed. And before Winn could say a single word, she slammed the door right in his face.

"What the hell, Ivy?" he barked.

He tried the knob, but she’d locked it. "Unbelievable," he muttered, pressing his palm against the door. "You do realize I could buy this house and evict you, right?"

From the other side came her muffled retort: "One minute!"

He swore softly under his breath, shaking his head. The woman knew exactly how to press his buttons — and she did it with alarming precision. He stood there for a moment, forcing himself to breathe.

A few heartbeats later, the door opened again.

"Sorry. Needed a minute," Ivy said.

"For what?" he asked, stepping inside. His tall frame filled the narrow hallway. He kicked the door shut behind him and studied her face.

"There’s... something I cannot let you see," she muttered, brushing her hair out of her face.

His brow arched in suspicion, lips curving in that slow, dangerous grin. "Now, I really want to see."

"No!" she said too quickly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Oh, sweetheart," Winn drawled, "you know that only makes me more curious." He reached out before she could move, his large hand curling gently but insistently around her arm, tugging her forward until she stumbled against his chest. The warmth of him seeped through her skin.

"Winn," she warned, looking up at him, eyes sharp and defiant.

"You know I can make you," he murmured, his breath brushing the side of her neck, the mischief in his tone unmistakable.

She narrowed her eyes at him, lips twitching despite herself. "You are so full of yourself, mister. What are you going to do? Strangle it out of me?"

His grin widened. "No, baby," he said. "I can fuck it out of you."

"God, you’re impossible." She rolled her eyes and shoved him away. His laughter followed her as she turned toward the kitchen. "Any news on the blackmailing front?" she asked.

"I have it handled," Winn said simply.

Ivy turned, eyes narrowing. "Handled? Winn, don’t tell me you paid the money."

He gave a small, dismissive chuckle and leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "No," he said, almost amused. "I didn’t pay a dime. I figured out who sent the message — and be rest assured, he won’t be trying anything of the sort in the future."

The way he said it made her both relieved and slightly terrified. "Who was it?" she asked cautiously.

"Your former boss at Commissioned," he said, lifting a brow. "Kevin."

She blinked, her mouth parting. "No way! Are you sure?"

Winn stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Quite sure."

"Yeah," Winn said.

Ivy blinked, the shock still unraveling through her expression. "Oh my... I didn’t think... shit." Her hand went to her temple as if pressing it would steady her racing mind. "He was really nice to me. Used to protect me."

Winn leaned against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms. His dark shirt strained against his chest. "People can surprise you so often that you end up not being surprised anymore," he said quietly, but there was a tired humor laced through it. "Welcome to the real world, honey."

She frowned, watching him, hearing the fatigue under the sarcasm. He wasn’t just being smug — he’d seen too much, too.

"What’s going to happen to him?" she asked after a moment.

"I threatened Commissioned with a lawsuit," Winn said simply. "His bosses will deal with him."

Ivy’s eyes went wide, horrified. "Do you know the owner of Commissioned? He’s a mob boss, Winn! You’re not just talking about losing a job. You’re talking about—"

He cut her off sharply. "He’ll kill him? Not my problem."

Her gasp came out as a whisper. "Winn!"

"Sweetie, focus on the good news. This person hurt you — he’s going to get what’s coming to him. That’s enough for us tonight."

"God no," Ivy said, stepping toward him. "Don’t do this."

Winn’s lips curled faintly. "You’re defending the guy who blackmailed you."

"I’m defending my soul," she shot back. "Because if you go through with this, I’m the one who has to sleep knowing someone died because of me."