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“Here is another connection,” he says after examining the vendor application. “VHL came with a commercial reference tied to Evergreen National Bank.”
Connor’s bank.
I look toward the video of the hooded figure moving through the trees. A missing employee, forged invoices, a vendor introduced through his bank, and an outage designed to test my security may still be separate events. Believing that would require more faith in coincidence than I possess.
A knock sounds before Tessa enters with a leather folder tucked beneath her arm. She wears her espresso-brown hair in a ponytail, and a blazer gives her the polished look the guests expect. She notices Drew and Reid seated at the table and the copied invoices spread between us, but she doesn’t question it.
“The reception list is finalized except for one pending change involving Connor Brewster’s invitation,” she says. “Birdie Lawson called on Thursday and asked to use it with a second guest named Cassie Brewster. She said Connor became unavailable and gave her the invitation.”
I hold out my hand, and Tessa passes me the list. The shared surname catches my attention. “Did Birdie explain how Cassie is related to Connor?”
“No. Since Connor hadn’t submitted his guests’ names, I entered theirs but held the request for approval.” Tessa rests one hand on the back of an empty chair. “I also called the number attached to Connor’s reservation, but it went to voicemail.”
“Connor hasn’t answered any of my calls since leaving Bellucci’s Tuesday night.”
“Is that unusual?” she asks.
“He discovered financial activity involving forged Dragorin invoices, then disappeared before giving me the evidence.”
Tessa glances at the copied invoices, then looks down at the guest list. “And now two women connected to him want to attend the tasting.”
“Yes.”
“Should I deny the request?” she asks.
My thumb rests beside Cassie’s name. “No. Confirm their reservation.”
Reid leans closer to read the names. “They may know where Connor is.”
“Or they may be looking for him.” I return the list to Tessa. “Send me the number Birdie called from and anything else she provided.”
“I included it in the reservation notes.” Tessa takes the list and slips it into her folder. “I’ll forward everything to you.”
Drew folds his arms. “I can stop them at the gate and question them before they enter.”
“No.” I lean back and rest one hand against my jaw. “If they believe they’re welcome, they may tell us why they’re here. If we confront them at the gate, they’ll guard every word.”
“Should I restrict them to the public areas?” Drew asks.
“They remain with the other guests unless they give us a reason to separate them.” I turn to Tessa. “Don’t tell them we discussed Connor.”
She nods and leaves to finish the reception preparations.
Drew waits until the door closes. “I’ll have my men watch them without making it obvious.”
“Let them enjoy the tasting,” I tell him. “I’ll decide when to approach them.”
He nods once and leaves to check the security teams. Reid remains long enough to gather the reports.
“I’ll review the employee access records and meet you here before the guests arrive,” he says.
“Bring me anything that doesn’t belong.”
Reid gives me a brief nod and follows Drew into the hallway. Their voices fade beyond the conference room doors, leaving me alone with the copied invoice and two names that may lead me to Connor.
For ten years, I’ve kept two lives divided. One belongs to the vineyard owner who negotiates contracts, reviews harvest reports, and welcomes wealthy clients beneath chandeliers while servers pour wine bearing my family’s name. The other belongs to the assassin who survived by distrusting easy answers and identifying threats before they moved close enough to strike.
Returning home didn’t erase the second man. I used what the Bratva taught me to build Dragorin Vineyards into an empire and protect everyone who depends on it. I no longer kill at another man’s command, but I haven’t forgotten how criminals enter a business, how frightened men construct lies, or how enemies study a target before attacking it.
