The villa's serenity was intoxicating. Amanda woke to the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs, sunlight spilling across the terrace. For the first time in weeks, she felt free — no boardrooms, no whispers, no looming deadlines. Just the ocean, the quiet, and Greyson.
They spent the morning walking along the shore, Greyson surprisingly relaxed, his usual sharp edges softened by the sea air. Amanda caught glimpses of the man beneath the armor — the one who laughed easily, who listened without judgment, who seemed almost at peace.
But peace, Amanda realized, was fragile.
That evening, as they shared dinner overlooking the horizon, Greyson's phone buzzed. He ignored it at first, but when it rang again, his jaw tightened. Amanda watched as he answered, his voice clipped.
"What is it?"
She couldn't hear the other side, but she saw the change in him instantly. His shoulders stiffened, his expression hardened, and the warmth of the day vanished.
Greyson ended the call abruptly, setting the phone down with a sharp motion. Amanda's heart sank. "Something's wrong."
He met her gaze, his eyes dark. "Vanessa. She's moving against us. She's leaked details of the merger to the press. It's chaos back at the office."
Amanda's stomach twisted. "What does that mean for you?"
Greyson leaned back, his voice low, controlled. "It means war. And it means I can't stay here."
The silence between them was heavy, the ocean roaring beneath the cliffs like a warning. Amanda felt the fragile bubble of their escape shatter. The world they had tried to leave behind had found them.
Greyson reached for her hand, his touch firm. "Amanda, I don't regret bringing you here. But you need to understand — being with me means being pulled into battles you never asked for."
Her breath caught. "And if I'm willing to fight them?"
Greyson's gaze softened, just slightly. "Then you'll be the strongest ally I've ever had. But it won't be easy."
Amanda looked out at the waves, her heart racing. She had tasted freedom, felt the power of love, and now stood at the edge of a storm. For the first time, she realized the choice wasn't just about Greyson — it was about herself. Was she ready to step fully into his world, with all its danger and all its promise?
The villa, the ocean, the stars above — they all seemed to hold their breath as Amanda whispered the truth she could no longer deny.
"I'm not afraid."
Greyson's hand tightened around hers, his eyes blazing with something fierce and unyielding. "Then we face this together."