Chapter 6 Dangerous Games

# Chapter 6: Dangerous Games

"Talia," I gasped, fumbling for my phone. "What have you done?"

Gideon caught my wrist before I could reach my purse. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Scenes in public places tend to be... remembered."

Around us, other diners enjoyed their meals, oblivious to the nightmare unfolding at our table. A waiter approached with our first course, his smile professional as he placed artfully arranged salads before us.

"Bon appétit," he said cheerfully before retreating.

Gideon released my wrist, picking up his fork with practiced ease. "Eat, Maren. The food here is exceptional."

My hands trembled as I lifted my phone beneath the table, trying to text Talia one-handed. Gideon watched me with cold amusement.

"She won't answer," he said, sipping his champagne. "By now, Cameron should have handled the situation."

A text notification appeared on my screen—not from Talia, but from an unknown number: "Package secure. Proceeding to alternative location." Attached was a photo of Talia, looking tense but unharmed, sitting in what appeared to be a private jet.

Relief coursed through me, though I kept my expression neutral. Whoever had warned me earlier had apparently gotten to Talia in time. She was safe, at least for now.

"Something wrong?" Gideon asked, noticing my reaction.

I looked up, meeting his gaze steadily. "Just wondering how I never saw you for what you really are."

He smiled, a predator's smile that never reached his eyes. "Love is blind, darling. And you were so desperate to be loved."

The barb struck deep, partly because it held a grain of truth. After losing my parents, then focusing exclusively on building my company, I had been lonely. Gideon had seemed perfect—successful, charming, interested in both me and my work.

"It wasn't all pretend," he continued, studying me. "You are brilliant, beautiful, and would have made an excellent partner had you simply remained ignorant. We could have built an empire together."

"An empire built on espionage and murder," I said quietly.

Gideon shrugged elegantly. "Business is business. Morality is a luxury for those who can afford it." He leaned forward. "Now, let's discuss your options, because they're rapidly diminishing."

Before he could continue, his phone rang. He checked the display, frowning slightly before answering.

"This better be important," he said sharply. His expression darkened as he listened. "What do you mean, 'gone'? Find her." He ended the call abruptly.

I couldn't suppress a small smile. "Problem?"

Gideon's eyes narrowed. "Nothing I can't handle. It seems your friend is more resourceful than anticipated." He signaled for the check. "We're leaving. Now."

Back at the hotel, Gideon made a series of calls, his voice low and tense as he paced our suite. I sat on the edge of the bed, mind racing through possible escape scenarios. The thumb drive with the evidence was still hidden in my toiletry bag, but I couldn't risk retrieving it with Gideon in the room.

"Cameron is becoming a liability," he said after ending his fourth call. The statement seemed directed more to himself than to me.

"Trouble in paradise?" I asked, unable to resist probing this apparent weakness.

Gideon shot me a cold look. "Nothing I can't handle. Cameron sometimes forgets who built this empire." He approached me slowly. "Unlike you, he's expendable."

The implication was clear—I was valuable because of my company, my connections, my access. For now.

"What happens next?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the fear curling in my stomach.

"We continue our honeymoon," he replied smoothly. "We attend the tech conference tomorrow as planned, where you will smile and support your husband's keynote address. You will give no indication that anything is wrong." He traced a finger along my jawline, a gesture that once would have thrilled me but now made my skin crawl. "And when we return to Boston, you will sign the updated merger documents that give me controlling interest in Reed Cybersecurity."

"And if I refuse?"

His smile was chilling. "Then I start eliminating people you care about, one by one. Beginning with your mother."

The threat hung in the air between us, heavy and real. I had no doubt Gideon would follow through—he had already proven his willingness to kill.

"I need some air," I said, standing abruptly.

Gideon blocked my path to the door. "I don't think so. From now on, we stay together."

"Even in the bathroom?" I challenged.

He stepped aside with a mocking bow. "Five minutes. The door stays unlocked."

In the bathroom, I turned on the shower to cover any sounds and quickly retrieved my phone. A text from the unknown number awaited me: "T safe. Evidence mounting. Hold position."

I replied: "G knows something. Threatening my mother. Need extraction."

The response came immediately: "Tech conference tomorrow. Look for the blue tie."

I deleted the conversation and hid the phone just as Gideon knocked on the door.

"Time's up," he called.

That night, I lay beside my husband in the luxurious king-sized bed, listening to his breathing as he slept. The man who had vowed to love and cherish me just days ago was now my jailer—and potentially my executioner. I stared at the ceiling, running through tomorrow's tech conference in my mind, looking for opportunities, escape routes, potential allies.

Dawn broke with gray Paris light filtering through the curtains. Gideon was already awake, watching me with those calculating eyes.

"Sleep well?" he asked, his voice morning-rough.

"Wonderfully," I lied, sitting up. "What time is the conference?"

"Eager, aren't we?" He stretched, muscles rippling beneath his skin. Even now, I couldn't deny his physical perfection—the body that had once brought me pleasure now just another weapon in his arsenal. "My keynote is at eleven. We'll arrive at ten."

The conference center was buzzing with activity when we arrived, tech journalists and industry leaders milling about the exhibition hall. Gideon kept me close, his hand firmly at my lower back as we navigated the crowds. Several people approached us, offering congratulations on both the wedding and the merger.

"The power couple of the tech world," one journalist gushed, her recorder extended. "Any comment on how the merger will affect your respective companies' government contracts?"

Gideon smoothly fielded the question while I scanned the crowd, looking for the blue tie I had been promised. Nothing yet.

"Mrs. Blackwood is the true genius behind our cybersecurity division," Gideon was saying, his arm tightening around my waist. "Her innovations will transform how we approach digital defense."

I forced a smile. "My husband is too modest. His vision brought us together—in every sense."

The double meaning wasn't lost on Gideon, whose fingers dug painfully into my side.

As we moved through the exhibition hall, I caught sight of a familiar face—Cameron, whom Gideon had supposedly left in Boston. He was deep in conversation with a man I recognized as the CEO of Blackwood's main competitor. When Cameron saw us, he quickly ended the discussion and approached, his thin smile revealing nothing.

"Gideon, Maren," he greeted smoothly. "Paris agrees with you both."

Gideon's expression hardened. "I don't recall inviting you to join us, Cameron."

"The board thought someone should represent the financial side while you focus on the technical presentation," Cameron replied, his tone innocent but his eyes sharp. "And I had some meetings that couldn't wait."

The tension between the two men was palpable. I watched their silent power struggle with interest, noting how Cameron seemed less deferential than usual.

"We should prepare for your keynote," I suggested, placing a hand on Gideon's arm. "You'll want to review your slides one more time."

Gideon nodded, his eyes never leaving Cameron. "We'll discuss your... initiative later," he said coldly before guiding me away.

In the speakers' preparation room, Gideon reviewed his presentation while I pretended to check emails. In reality, I was searching the crowd visible through the glass wall, still looking for my mysterious contact.

"Something interesting out there?" Gideon asked without looking up from his tablet.

"Just admiring the turnout," I replied smoothly. "Quite the audience for your big announcement."

His lips curved in satisfaction. "Indeed. Today I unveil the future of Blackwood-Reed Technologies—with you by my side, of course."

A conference staff member approached. "Mr. Blackwood? Five minutes until you're on."

As Gideon gathered his materials, I caught sight of a man in a blue tie hovering near the door. Our eyes met briefly before he nodded toward a side exit.

"I need to use the restroom before we go on," I told Gideon.

His eyes narrowed. "Can't it wait?"

"Female emergency," I said pointedly.

He hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Be quick. And remember—I'm watching the exits."

The moment I stepped into the hallway, the man in the blue tie appeared beside me, matching my pace.

"Keep walking," he murmured. "Bathroom first, as you said. There's a service door inside."

"Who are you?" I asked quietly.

"Alex. We spoke briefly at your wedding before Cameron interrupted."

We reached the women's restroom. Alex positioned himself outside as I entered, finding it empty except for a maintenance worker—who straightened and revealed herself to be Talia.

"Thank God," I breathed, embracing her fiercely. "I thought—"

"I know. Close call." She pulled back, eyes serious. "We don't have much time. Cameron's playing both sides, selling information to competitors while helping Gideon with the espionage operation."

"He's here," I confirmed. "They're at odds."

"Good. We can use that." She handed me a small device. "Put this in your earring. It's a transmitter. When Gideon gives his keynote, we need you to get him to admit what he's done—the murder, the espionage, everything."

I stared at her. "How am I supposed to do that?"

"Provoke him. He's arrogant, and he thinks he's won. Push his buttons about Cameron's betrayal—he's emotional about that right now."

A knock at the door made us both jump. Alex's voice came through: "Two minutes. He's looking for you."

I quickly inserted the transmitter into my earring. "What about after? He'll kill me if he realizes—"

"We have agents in place. Once we have his confession, we move."

"Agents?" I repeated. "Who exactly are you people?"

Talia's expression softened. "Later. Right now, you need to get back out there and play the devoted wife one last time."

I nodded, squeezing her hand before slipping out of the bathroom. Alex was gone, and Gideon was striding toward me, his expression thunderous.

"There you are," he snapped. "They're announcing me now."

We hurried to the side of the stage where a conference organizer was introducing Gideon as "the visionary behind the most significant tech merger of the decade." The crowd applauded as we stepped into the spotlight, Gideon waving graciously while keeping a firm grip on my hand.

At the podium, he launched into his presentation—a slick overview of how Blackwood-Reed Technologies would revolutionize cybersecurity. On the surface, it sounded impressive, innovative. But I now understood the darker purpose behind each "breakthrough" he described.

"And now," he said, reaching the climax of his speech, "I'd like to invite my wife and partner, Maren Reed-Blackwood, to join me in unveiling our most ambitious project yet."

This wasn't part of the plan—he was improvising, keeping me close. As I walked to the podium, I caught sight of Cameron in the audience, his expression calculating. Beside him sat a woman I didn't recognize, whispering urgently in his ear.

"Thank you, darling," I said into the microphone, smiling for the cameras. Then, on impulse, I added, "Before we reveal the project, I'd like to acknowledge someone else instrumental to Blackwood Tech's success—Cameron Westfield, our CFO, who I see is having a fascinating conversation with our biggest competitor."

The spotlight swung to Cameron, illuminating his startled expression and the woman beside him—the competitor's head of acquisitions. A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Gideon's hand closed around my arm, his fingers digging painfully into my flesh. "What are you doing?" he hissed, his smile never faltering for the audience.

"Playing the game," I whispered back. "Isn't that what this is all about? Except Cameron seems to be playing for a different team."

Gideon's eyes darkened with fury, but he maintained his composure, turning back to the audience. "Yes, Cameron has been... instrumental. Though his methods sometimes diverge from company policy."

I saw the opening and took it. "Speaking of policy, darling, perhaps you should explain to our investors how Blackwood Tech's expansion plans include selling classified information to foreign entities. Or how my brother discovered this and met with an unfortunate 'accident'?"

Gasps erupted from the audience. Cameras flashed frantically. Gideon's face contorted with rage for a split second before he regained control, laughing as if I'd made a joke.

"My wife's sense of humor," he said smoothly. "Always keeping me on my toes."

But I wasn't finished. "It's not a joke, Gideon. Just like it wasn't a joke when you told me my brother should have died long ago. Or when you threatened my mother. Or when you admitted to Cameron that Paris would be the perfect place to stage another accident."

The color drained from Gideon's face as he realized what was happening. His hand moved toward his jacket—reaching for a weapon, I realized with horror.

Before he could draw it, chaos erupted in the conference hall. Men and women in dark suits converged from all directions, Cameron bolted for an exit, and I was suddenly pulled away from Gideon by Alex, who materialized beside me.

"Got it," he said into a concealed microphone. "Move now."

Gideon lunged for me, his face twisted with fury. "You stupid bitch—"

His words were cut off as two agents tackled him to the ground, the gun he'd been reaching for clattering across the stage.

The last thing I saw before Alex whisked me through a service door was Gideon's face—no longer handsome in its rage, but twisted and ugly, revealing the monster that had always lurked beneath the perfect facade.