CHAPTER 31

The following day began under the weight of unspoken tension. The air in the Moretti estate felt heavy, as if the walls themselves were bracing for the storm ahead. Maya found herself in the dining room again, seated across from Helena, who sipped her tea with an infuriating calmness.

“Have you resolved the little… security matters?” Helena asked, her tone light but laced with condescension.

Maya’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup. “We’re handling it.”

Helena’s lips curved into a thin smile. “I do hope so. A lapse in security reflects poorly on the entire family. It’s not the sort of thing we can afford, especially now.”

Maya’s chest tightened, but before she could respond, Zane entered the room, his presence commanding as always. He strode to Maya’s side, pressing a brief kiss to her temple before addressing his mother.

“Helena,” he said coolly, “if you’re so concerned about security, perhaps you should direct your efforts toward supporting the investigation instead of criticizing from the sidelines.”

Helena’s expression didn’t falter, but her sharp gaze flicked between Zane and Maya. “Of course, dear. I’m simply offering my insights.”

Zane’s silver eyes narrowed. “Your ‘insights’ are noted. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to speak with my wife.”

Maya followed Zane out of the dining room, grateful to escape Helena’s probing gaze.

Once they were back in Zane’s study, he closed the door and turned to face her. “Alex and I have finalized the next phase of the plan,” he said. “It’s risky, but it might be our best chance to get ahead of Donovan.”

“What’s the plan?” Maya asked, her voice steady despite the trepidation swirling in her chest.

Zane gestured to a map spread out on his desk. “We’re going to feed Donovan false information. Make him believe we’re vulnerable in areas where we’re strongest.”

Maya frowned. “Won’t he see through it?”

“That’s the beauty of it,” Zane said, his silver eyes gleaming with determination. “We’ve planted enough breadcrumbs through Carlo and other channels to make it believable. Donovan thinks he’s winning, and we’re going to let him believe that—until it’s too late.”

Maya nodded, her confidence in Zane unwavering. “What can I do to help?”

“You’ve done enough by staying strong,” Zane said, his voice softening as he reached for her hand. “But this is going to get worse before it gets better. I need you to be prepared for that.”

Maya’s gaze met his, her resolve hardening. “I’m ready.”

Later that afternoon, Maya found herself wandering the estate again, unable to shake the feeling that something was about to happen. She ended up in the gardens, where the air was crisp and cool, the distant hum of city life a faint reminder of the world beyond the estate’s walls.

She wasn’t alone for long.

“Maya,” Luca’s voice called out, smooth and familiar.

She turned to see him leaning casually against the fountain, his ever-present smirk in place.

“Luca,” she said flatly. “What do you want?”

He chuckled, pushing off the fountain to approach her. “Is that any way to greet your charming brother-in-law?”

“Charming isn’t the word I’d use,” Maya replied, crossing her arms.

Luca’s smile widened. “You wound me. But I suppose I can’t blame you. It must be exhausting, playing Zane’s loyal wife while everything around you crumbles.”

Maya’s jaw tightened, but she refused to let him see her anger. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Luca leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Be careful, Maya. You’re walking a fine line. And in this family, one misstep can be fatal.”

Her stomach churned, but she held her ground. “Is that a threat?”

“Not at all,” Luca said, his tone almost playful. “Just a friendly reminder that loyalty is a fragile thing.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Maya seething.

That evening, Maya sat in the library, trying to make sense of the chaos surrounding her. The events of the past few days felt like a blur, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in her chest.

“Maya?”

She looked up to see Alex standing in the doorway, his expression uncharacteristically hesitant.

“What is it?” she asked, sitting up straighter.

“I’ve been thinking,” Alex said, stepping inside. “About the notes. The threats. It doesn’t add up.”

Maya frowned. “What do you mean?”

Alex sat across from her, his gaze steady. “Donovan is methodical, but this feels… personal. The way they’re targeting you specifically—it’s not just about Zane’s empire. It’s about breaking him, and they think you’re the key.”

Maya’s chest tightened. “I know. But why me?”

Alex hesitated before answering. “Because they see you as Zane’s weakness. But they’re wrong. You’re his strength.”

His words caught her off guard, but before she could respond, Alex continued.

“Listen,” he said. “I know Zane wants to keep you out of this, but if you want to fight back, you need to be ready. You need to know how to protect yourself.”

Maya’s breath hitched. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” Alex replied, his tone firm, “that I can teach you.”

The next morning, Maya met Alex in one of the estate’s private training rooms. It was a sleek, modern space outfitted with everything from punching bags to state-of-the-art equipment.

“Are you sure about this?” Alex asked, handing her a pair of training gloves.

Maya slipped them on, her expression determined. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

They started with the basics. Alex showed her how to stand, how to throw a punch, and how to block. The movements felt awkward at first, but Maya pushed through, her determination outweighing her frustration.

“Good,” Alex said after a particularly strong jab. “Now again.”

Hours passed, and by the time they finished, Maya was drenched in sweat, her muscles aching. But she felt stronger, more in control than she had in weeks.

“Not bad,” Alex said, handing her a towel. “You’ve got a lot of fight in you.”

Maya smiled, a flicker of confidence lighting her eyes. “I’m going to need it.

As the sun set that evening, casting long shadows across the estate, Maya returned to the suite to find Zane waiting for her. His expression was grim, a file in his hand.

“What is it?” she asked, her heart sinking.

Zane handed her the file without a word. Inside were photographs and documents, all pointing to a new revelation.

“They’ve found the second safe house,” he said quietly. “Your father isn’t safe anymore.”

Maya’s stomach dropped. “How? We moved him, doubled the security—”

“Someone leaked the location,” Zane interrupted, his voice tight with anger. “This is no longer just a game of cat and mouse. They’re escalating.”

“What do we do?” Maya asked, her voice trembling.

“We strike back,” Zane said, his silver eyes blazing with determination. “And this time, we won't hold back.”

As the estate settled into an uneasy quiet that night, Maya lay in bed beside Zane, her thoughts racing. She knew the days ahead would be some of the most dangerous yet, but she also knew they couldn’t afford to falter.

With Zane’s plan in motion and Alex’s training giving her newfound confidence, Maya felt a spark of hope amidst the chaos.

But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the storm was far from over.