CHAPTER 32

The tension in the Moretti estate was palpable the next morning, a storm brewing just beneath the surface of every interaction. Maya awoke to find Zane already gone again, leaving behind a terse note:

“Meeting with Alex. Updates soon. Stay in the suite.”

The walls of the suite felt suffocating, the silence amplifying her unease. But staying put wasn’t an option anymore. She couldn’t ignore the gnawing fear that her father’s safety was precarious, or that Donovan was closing in on all sides.

Determined to gather her own answers, Maya dressed quickly and made her way to the security wing.

The security wing was quiet when Maya arrived, the hum of monitors filling the air. Alex was nowhere to be found, likely with Zane, but Maya knew her way around well enough by now.

She bypassed the main surveillance room and entered the archives, a smaller, dimly lit room where old files and recordings were stored. If Donovan’s reach extended deeper into the estate, there might be something here to confirm her suspicions.

Maya combed through the stacks of folders, her fingers trembling as she rifled through papers. One file, marked “Internal Threats: Donovan Scott” caught her eye.

Inside, she found detailed reports of Donovan’s movements, along with notes about his suspected informants. Several names were blacked out, but one jumped out at her: Luca Moretti.

Her heart sank as she scanned the pages. The reports detailed multiple instances of Luca meeting with Donovan’s associates over the past six months. The meetings were coded as “social encounters,” but Maya knew better.

He’s been working with Donovan all along.

As she closed the file, another document slipped free—a printed email exchange. The sender’s address was untraceable, but the content was damning:

“The safe house location has been compromised. The package will be moved soon. Ensure it doesn’t survive the transfer.”

Maya’s blood ran cold. The package. Her father.

She shoved the documents into her bag and hurried out of the archives, her mind racing.

Maya found Zane in the study, his silver eyes narrowing in concern as she stormed in, her face pale and her hands clutching the folder.

“Maya?” he asked, rising from his chair. “What’s wrong?”

She dropped the file onto his desk, the pages spilling out. “Luca’s been meeting with Donovan’s people. He’s been helping them.”

Zane’s jaw tightened as he scanned the documents, his fists clenching at his sides. “This bastard,” he muttered. “I knew he couldn’t be trusted, but this—”

“There’s more,” Maya interrupted, her voice trembling. She handed him the email. “They’re planning to attack during the transfer. They’re going after my father.”

Zane’s expression darkened, his anger palpable. “Alex,” he barked, pressing a button on the intercom.

Moments later, Alex appeared, his sharp eyes assessing the situation.

“We need to move now,” Zane said, handing Alex the email. “Double the security detail on Charles and reroute the transfer. If they know the plan, we need to change it.”

Alex nodded, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll handle it.”

As Alex left the room, Zane turned to Maya, his gaze softening slightly. “You shouldn’t have gone to the archives alone.”

“I had to,” she said, her voice firm. “I couldn’t just sit and wait while everything fell apart.”

Zane pulled her into his arms, his embrace both protective and grounding. “You’re stronger than I give you credit for,” he murmured. “But I can’t lose you, Maya. Not now. Not ever.”

The Intercepted Transfer

Hours later, the estate was a flurry of activity as Zane’s security team coordinated the new transfer route for Charles. Maya stayed close to Zane, her nerves frayed as she watched the plan unfold.

But even the most carefully laid plans could unravel.

As the convoy transporting Charles approached its new destination, a black SUV appeared out of nowhere, cutting off the lead vehicle.

Gunfire erupted, shattering the fragile calm.

Maya watched the scene unfold on the live security feed, her heart pounding as Zane barked orders into his phone.

“Alex, what’s happening?” Zane demanded.

Alex’s voice crackled through the line, tense but steady. “They ambushed us. We’re pinned down.”

“Get my father out of there!” Maya cried, her nails digging into her palms.

“We’re trying,” Alex said. “But they’re heavily armed.”

Zane turned to one of his men. “Send reinforcements. Now.”

Maya clutched the edge of the desk, her breath coming in shallow gasps as the gunfire continued. She felt helpless, trapped in the estate while the people she loved fought for their lives.

Finally, Alex’s voice came through again. “We’re clear. Charles is safe, but we’ve got casualties.”

Maya’s knees buckled with relief, but her mind raced. This wasn’t just an attack—it was a declaration of war.

When Alex returned to the estate later that evening, his expression was grim. He carried a tablet with him, showing surveillance footage from the ambush.

“Luca,” Alex said, his voice tight as he handed the tablet to Zane.

Maya leaned over Zane’s shoulder, her heart sinking as she watched the video. There, in the midst of the chaos, was Luca, directing the attackers with chilling precision.

“He’s not just working with Donovan,” Zane said, his voice cold. “He’s leading the charge.”

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

“We take him out of the equation,” Zane said, his silver eyes blazing with determination. “Luca just signed his death warrant.”

Later that night, Zane confronted Luca in the grand foyer. Maya watched from the shadows, her heart pounding as the two brothers faced off.

“You’ve been working with Donovan,” Zane said, his voice deadly calm. “Do you deny it?”

Luca smirked, his posture relaxed. “Deny it? Why would I? You’ve always underestimated me, Zane. But now, you’re finally seeing the truth.”

“You betrayed this family,” Zane growled, his fists clenched. “You put Maya, the baby, and my empire at risk.”

Luca’s expression darkened. “You were never meant to have this empire. It should have been mine. But our father gave it to you—a bastard—while I was left to pick up the scraps.”

“You made your choice,” Zane said, stepping closer. “And now, you’ll face the consequences.”

Before Luca could respond, Zane’s guards appeared, surrounding him.

“You can’t do this,” Luca spat, his confidence faltering for the first time.

“Watch me,” Zane said coldly.

As the guards led Luca away, Maya stepped out of the shadows, her heart heavy.

“Is it over?” she asked softly.

Zane turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Not yet. But it’s a start.

That night, as Maya lay in bed beside Zane, she couldn’t shake the image of Luca’s smirk or the sound of gunfire from the ambush.

Zane wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “We’re going to win this, Maya. No matter what it takes.”

She nodded, her hand resting on her stomach. “We have to.”

Because the stakes were higher than ever, and failure wasn’t an option.