Catalina's POV
I stared at my phone, the words burning into my brain.
Unknown: I know about you and Dominic. And if you don't end it, I'll tell Sofia everything.
"Cat? What's wrong?" Dominic was still holding me, but I'd gone completely still.
I showed him the message with shaking hands.
His face went white. Then red. "Who sent this?"
"I don't know! Unknown number!"
Dominic grabbed my phone, his jaw tight. "We need to figure out who—"
A knock on the conference room door made us both jump.
Through the glass, I saw Marcus Whitfield standing there, smiling.
My heart stopped.
"Hide," I whispered to Dominic. "Please."
Dominic's eyes flashed with anger, but he stepped behind the door just as I opened it.
"Marcus! What are you doing here?"
He was wearing an expensive suit, his blonde hair perfectly styled, looking every bit the mayor's perfect son. "Came to see my favorite girl. Your mom said you'd be here."
My stomach sank. "I'm working."
"At three PM on a Friday?" He grinned. "Come on, Cat. Let's grab coffee. We need to talk about Saturday's dinner."
I felt Dominic tense behind the door.
"I actually can't do Saturday—"
"Your dad already said yes." Marcus took my hand. "Seven PM. I'll pick you up. Wear something pretty."
He kissed my cheek before I could pull away, then walked down the hallway whistling.
The second he was gone, Dominic stepped out, his face like thunder.
"That's him? That's Marcus?"
"Dominic—"
"He just kissed you. Right in front of me."
"On the cheek! It meant nothing!"
"It meant he thinks he owns you." Dominic's voice was hard. "And now someone's blackmailing us, and you have to go on a date with him? This is insane."
"I know!" I pressed my hands to my face. "I know, okay? But what choice do I have?"
Dominic pulled me close. "We'll figure this out. The blackmailer, Marcus, all of it. I promise."
But his voice was tight, and I could feel his heart racing against my cheek.
Saturday came too fast.
I stood in my bedroom at six-thirty, staring at my closet. My phone buzzed.
Unknown: Enjoy your date. Remember—one word to Dominic and Sofia knows everything.
My hands shook. This person was watching me. Knew my plans.
Who was it?
Another text, this time from Dominic.
Dominic: I hate this. Call me the second you're home.
Me: I will. I promise.
Dominic: If he touches you—
Me: Don't. Please. This is hard enough.
I deleted the messages and heard the doorbell ring.
Marcus was early.
Dinner was at the fanciest restaurant in town. Marcus ordered wine, told stories about his job in London, smiled at me like we'd never broken up.
"You look beautiful," he said, reaching across the table to take my hand.
I pulled away, pretending to reach for my water glass.
"Cat, I made a mistake leaving." His voice was serious now. "I thought London would be this amazing opportunity. But I missed home. I missed you."
"Marcus, we broke up two years ago—"
"Because I left. Not because we didn't work." He leaned forward. "You're perfect for me, Cat. You're uncomplicated. Sweet. Everything a man could want."
Uncomplicated. The word made my skin crawl.
If he only knew how complicated I actually was. How I was in love with someone else. How I was being blackmailed. How every second sitting here felt like betraying Dominic.
"I'm not that simple," I said quietly.
"That's what I love about you. You don't even realize how special you are." He signaled the waiter. "Dessert?"
"I'm actually really tired—"
"One dessert. Then I'll take you home."
My phone buzzed in my purse. I checked it under the table.
Unknown: He's boring. But safe. Choose him and I'll keep your secret.
I nearly dropped the phone.
The blackmailer was here. Watching us. Right now.
I looked around wildly, but the restaurant was crowded. It could be anyone.
"Cat? You okay?" Marcus was frowning.
"Fine. Just a headache."
We finished dessert in silence. The drive home felt like it took forever.
At my door, Marcus turned to face me. "I had a great time tonight."
"Marcus—"
He kissed me before I could finish. Quick, confident, like he had every right.
I stepped back immediately, wiping my mouth. "I'm not interested in getting back together."
His smile faltered. "Is there someone else?"
Yes. Yes, there's someone else. I'm in love with Dominic Castellano and it's destroying everything.
"No," I lied.
"Then maybe you just need time." He touched my cheek. "I can wait, Cat. You're worth waiting for."
He left, and I rushed inside, locking the door behind me.
My phone was already in my hand, texting Dominic.
Me: He kissed me.
Dominic called immediately.
"He did WHAT?" His voice was tight with barely controlled rage.
"At my door. I pulled away instantly, I swear—"
"Where are you?"
"Home. Dominic, you can't—"
"Beach cove. Twenty minutes."
He hung up.
Dominic was already there when I arrived, pacing like a caged animal. The ocean crashed behind him, and the moon made everything silver.
"Cat." He crossed to me in three strides.
Then he kissed me. Desperate, claiming, like he was erasing Marcus from my skin.
"The thought of him touching you—" His voice broke. "I can't do this. I can't watch other men try to take you from me."
"They can't take me." I grabbed his face, making him look at me. "I'm yours. Only yours. Marcus means nothing."
"Then why do you keep seeing him?"
"Because my parents are pushing! Because someone's blackmailing us! Because I don't know how to make this work without losing everyone I love!"
The words hung in the air between us.
Dominic's expression softened. He pulled me close, resting his forehead against mine. "We'll figure it out."
"Promise?"
"I promise." He kissed me softly this time. "You're all I think about, Cat. Every minute of every day."
"You're all I think about too."
We stood there under the stars, the ocean singing behind us, holding each other like we were the only two people in the world.
My phone buzzed.
I pulled it out, expecting another threat.
Instead, there was a photo.
Of me and Dominic. Right now. In each other's arms.
Taken from somewhere in the darkness.
The message below made my blood freeze:
Unknown: Last warning. End it by Monday or this photo goes to Sofia. Your choice.
Dominic saw my face. "What is it?"
I showed him the photo with trembling hands.
We both turned, scanning the dark beach, the cliffs, the trees.
But whoever had taken it was already gone.
And they had proof of everything.