Chapter 115: Missing Pieces
Diane was staring blankly at the floor, her thoughts refused to settle.
Something wasn’t right.
The pieces were all there—Adrian’s sudden release, the mysterious funding, Senator Malcolm Raines—but they didn’t fit.
There was something she was missing, something just out of reach.
She rubbed her temples, replaying every conversation, every detail, every moment leading up to this.
Rachel had kept records.
Adrian escaped from this damned prison...
And now a senator was protecting him?
It didn’t add up...
Why would Raines risk his career, his influence, for Adrian Ravenhood? Adrian wasn’t valuable.
He wasn’t discreet. He wasn’t even smart.
There had to be more.
Something bigger. Something hidden.
Gabriel stirred beside her, his voice was still with sleep notes. "You’re thinking too hard."
Diane breathed out heavily. "Not hard enough."
Gabriel cracked one eye open, watching her. "It’s the middle of the night, Diane."
"I know," she muttered, standing up.
Gabriel sighed, sitting up slightly. "What’s wrong?"
Diane turned to face him, she crossed her arms. "We’re missing something."
Gabriel rubbed his face, running a hand through his hair. "We know who helped Adrian. That’s the biggest piece of the puzzle."
Diane shook her head. "No. It’s not. Think about it—why would a senator risk his reputation, his career, just to get Adrian out of prison?"
Gabriel was shaking his head. "Maybe Adrian has something on him."
Diane narrowed her eyes. "Then what? What could Adrian possibly have that would make a powerful man like Raines risk everything?"
Gabriel didn’t answer right away.
He was thinking too, she could tell. But he wasn’t as restless as she was.
He always trusted that things would fall into place.
Diane never did.
She started pacing. "Rachel kept records. Every deal, every financial move—she documented everything."
Gabriel nodded. "And?"
Diane turned to him. "And if Rachel had dirt on Raines, she would have used it. She never let anyone control her. But she never mentioned him. Not once."
Gabriel frowned. "Maybe she didn’t know about him."
Diane shook her shoulders a little. "Rachel knew everyone worth knowing."
Gabriel sighed, watching her carefully. "You think there’s something deeper."
Diane nodded. "I know there is."
Gabriel leaned back against the headboard. "And what do you think we’re missing?"
Diane clenched her jaw. "I don’t know. That’s what’s bothering me."
Gabriel smirked slightly. "You hate not knowing things."
Diane gave him a glare. "Obviously."
Gabriel chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Look, we’ll figure it out. But obsessing over it at three in the morning isn’t going to get us anywhere."
"You don’t get it, Gabriel. This isn’t just some loose thread. This is most probably the answer to everything."
Gabriel arched his brow. "You’re sure?"
Diane hesitated. Then, firmly— "Yes."
Gabriel watched her for a moment before sighing. "Alright. Then what do we do next?"
Diane crossed her arms, her brain was working relentlessly.
"We need to find out exactly how Adrian got out. Every call made, every document altered. If we can trace it back, maybe we’ll find the real connection."
Gabriel nodded. "We’ll get Riot on it in the morning."
Diane exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah."
Gabriel pulled her closer, his fingers brushing against her wrist. "Come here."
Diane hesitated before letting him pull her into his lap, his arms wrapping around her.
"You’re too tense," he murmured.
Diane sighed against his shoulder. "Because this isn’t over."
Gabriel pressed a kiss against her temple. "It will be."
Diane closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself relax, just slightly.
Then his phone vibrated. Gabriel stiffened.
Diane felt it immediately.
She sat up, watching as he reached for his phone.
His face darkened.
"What?" Diane asked.
Gabriel didn’t answer right away. He typed something quickly, his jaw tight, his entire body shifting from relaxed to alert.
Diane narrowed her eyes. "Gabriel."
He set the phone down, already moving to get up. "I have to go."
Diane’s stomach twisted. "Excuse me?"
Gabriel blinked faster. "It’s nothing—"
"Bullshit." Diane stepped in front of him. "Who was that?"
Gabriel hesitated, not wanting to tell her exactly.
Diane’s pulse quickened. "You’re not seriously going to leave without telling me, are you?"
Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Diane—"
"No," she snapped. "Don’t do that. Don’t brush me off."
Gabriel’s jaw clenched. "It’s just something I need to handle."
Diane scoffed. "And I don’t get to know?"
Gabriel’s silence was all the answer she needed.
Diane folded her arms. "So that’s how this works now? You get to keep secrets but expect me to tell you everything?"
Gabriel sighed. "It’s not like that."
Diane glared. "Then explain it to me."
Gabriel didn’t.
Instead, he grabbed his jacket.
Diane felt anger coil deep in her chest. "You’re leaving."
Gabriel exhaled, stepping closer. "I’ll be back."
Diane clenched her fists. "You’re seriously doing this?"
Gabriel’s voice was lower now. "Diane, I promise I’ll tell you everything when I can."
Diane’s stomach twisted painfully. "I don’t like this."
Gabriel cupped her cheek. "I know."
Diane swallowed hard, searching his face. "Then don’t go."
Gabriel paused, as if he was considering his wife’s request, but then, his phone buzzed again.
And just like that, she knew—he was already gone.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead before stepping away.
"I love you, Diane...and I promise you with my life and soul, no one will ever get to hurt you..."
He walked out the door.
Diane stood there, her fists clenched immediately, her breath felt uneven and making her blurry.
She was surrounded by a thousand possibilities, but one thing was certain—
Gabriel was keeping something from her.
And that?
That was dangerous...Diane thought they shared everything together. They both had the same goals and ambitions to eliminate the people they didn’t like.
But with Gabriel’s behaviour, she wasn’t sure anymore...why wasn’t he telling her things? She’d always tell him everything and anything.
"What a weird moment," she muttered to herself, and then one thing hit her like a flying bullet.
"Is Gabriel cheating?"