Chapter 37

Ramon POV

The meeting droned on, my CFO presenting quarterly projections that should have commanded my full attention.

Instead, I found myself checking my phone for the third time in as many minutes, Marcus’s earlier texts burning in my mind like a brand.

*Lake dismissed me at Central Park. Said he needed space to think.*

*Spotted him near Conservatory Garden entrance. Lost visual for approximately 8 minutes.*

*Found him again. Visible distress. Marks on throat consistent with manual strangulation. Claims he met an “old friend.”*

*He’s asking to see you. Driving him to your office now.*

The final message had arrived just moments ago, and I’d barely had time to process it before my assistant’s voice came through the intercom: “Mr. Navarro, your fiance is here to see you. He says it’s urgent.”

I’d stood so abruptly that my chair rolled backward, hitting the credenza with a muted thud. “Gentlemen, I apologize, but we’ll need to con