CHAPTER 33

The morning after Luca’s arrest dawned heavy with silence. The Moretti estate seemed to hold its breath, as though the walls themselves were bracing for the fallout. Maya sat in the library, staring blankly at a book she wasn’t reading. Her mind churned with questions that wouldn’t settle.

Zane had been gone since before dawn, meeting with Alex and the rest of his inner circle to discuss the next steps. With Luca detained, there was a brief window of control, but Maya knew it wouldn’t last. Donovan wasn’t the kind of man to leave his plans unfinished.

The door to the library creaked open, and Maya looked up to see Reese slipping inside, her expression filled with concern.

“I just heard about Luca,” Reese said, taking a seat beside her. “Are you okay?”

Maya hesitated, unsure how to answer. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Every time I think we’re making progress, something else happens. And now… with Luca…”

“Zane’s handling it, right?” Reese asked.

Maya nodded, though her stomach twisted with doubt. “He’s doing everything he can. But this isn’t just about Luca. Donovan’s still out there, and he’s not going to stop.”

Reese reached out, her hand resting gently on Maya’s. “You’re stronger than you think, Maya. And you’re not alone in this.”

Her friend’s words were a comfort, but they didn’t ease the storm in Maya’s mind.

A Meeting with Helena

Later that afternoon, Maya was summoned to Helena’s sitting room. She entered cautiously, her nerves on edge as she found Helena seated by the window, a cup of tea in her hand.

“Come in, Maya,” Helena said without looking up. “We need to talk.”

Maya sat across from her, the weight of Helena’s scrutiny making her pulse quicken.

“I hear Zane has dealt with Luca,” Helena began, her tone as icy as ever. “How… decisive of him.”

Maya’s hands tightened in her lap. “Luca betrayed the family. Zane had no choice.”

Helena’s gaze flicked to her, sharp and assessing. “You say that as though you understand what it means to be part of this family. But tell me, Maya, do you truly grasp what it takes to survive in our world?”

Maya met her gaze, her voice steady despite the tightness in her chest. “I’m learning. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family.”

Helena’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Good. Because Donovan won’t stop until he’s destroyed everything Zane has built. If you want to stand beside him, you’ll need to be more than just a supportive wife. You’ll need to be ruthless.”

The words sent a chill through Maya, but she refused to flinch. “I’ll do what’s necessary.”

“See that you do,” Helena said, her tone dismissive. “For Zane’s sake.”

The Interrogation of Luca

Meanwhile, in the estate’s underground holding cell, Zane stood before Luca, his expression a mask of cold fury.

“You’ve made a lot of mistakes, brother,” Zane said, his voice low and dangerous. “But this is the last one.”

Luca smirked, leaning back in his chair despite the restraints binding his wrists. “You think you’ve won? This isn’t over, Zane. It’s never been over.”

“Tell me what Donovan’s planning,” Zane demanded, stepping closer. “What’s his next move?”

Luca chuckled darkly. “You really think I’m going to help you? After everything you’ve taken from me?”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his patience fraying. “You’re only alive because I want answers. If you don’t start talking, that’ll change.”

For a moment, Luca’s smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered. “Go ahead, Zane. Kill me. But it won’t stop Donovan. He’s already won.”

Zane’s fists clenched, but he forced himself to remain calm. “We’ll see about that.”

He turned to Alex, who stood nearby. “Keep him locked down. No visitors. No communication.”

Alex nodded. “Understood.”

As Zane left the cell, his mind raced. Luca’s confidence was unnerving, but it only strengthened Zane’s resolve. Whatever Donovan was planning, he would stop it.

That evening, as the estate settled into an uneasy quiet, Maya found herself in the nursery, sorting through the baby clothes Zane had insisted they purchase early. The soft pastel hues and tiny onesies were a stark contrast to the chaos consuming their lives, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to imagine a future free of fear.

The sound of her phone buzzing pulled her back to reality. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message:

“Come to the garden. Alone. It’s urgent.”

The sender was unlisted, but the words sent a chill down her spine.

She hesitated, debating whether to tell Zane, but something about the message compelled her to act. Taking a deep breath, she slipped out of the suite and made her way to the garden.

The night air was cool against her skin as she stepped onto the cobblestone path, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.

“Maya,” a voice called softly.

She turned to see a figure emerge from the darkness. It was one of the estate’s staff members, a young maid whose name escaped Maya in the moment.

“What’s going on?” Maya asked, her voice steady despite the fear creeping in.

The maid glanced around nervously before stepping closer. “You’re in danger. I overheard something—about Donovan. He’s planning—”

Before she could finish, a sharp crack echoed through the garden, and the maid collapsed to the ground.

Maya’s scream caught in her throat as she dropped to her knees beside the girl, her hands trembling as she pressed them to the wound on the maid’s chest.

“Help!” Maya shouted, her voice hoarse.

Footsteps thundered behind her, and she turned to see Alex and several guards racing toward her.

“Maya, get back!” Alex barked, pulling her away from the maid’s lifeless body.

“She—she knew something,” Maya stammered, tears streaming down her face. “She was trying to warn me.”

Alex’s expression hardened as he scanned the perimeter. “Get her inside. Now.”

Back in the suite, Zane was waiting for her, his expression a mixture of relief and fury.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded as Alex escorted her inside. “You could have been killed.”

Maya’s voice trembled as she recounted what had happened. “She… she knew something about Donovan. She was trying to help.”

“And now she’s dead,” Zane said, his tone harsh but laced with fear. “Because you walked into a trap.”

Maya’s chest tightened, guilt and anger clashing within her. “I couldn’t ignore it, Zane. What if she had answers? What if she could have helped us stop this?”

Zane pulled her into his arms, his embrace fierce and unyielding. “I can’t lose you, Maya. Not like this. Promise me you won’t take risks like that again.”

She nodded against his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. “I promise.”

But even as she said the words, Maya knew the fight was far from over.

Later that night, Zane sat with Alex in the study, his mind racing as he reviewed the day’s events.

“The maid’s death wasn’t random,” Zane said, his voice cold. “They wanted to send a message.”

Alex nodded. “And they succeeded. But we can use this, Zane. If they’re getting desperate, they’ll start making mistakes.”

Zane’s silver eyes gleamed with determination. “Then we make our move. No more waiting, no more reacting. It’s time to end this.”

As the estate fell silent, Maya lay awake, her mind replaying the maid’s final moments. The fear and grief threatened to overwhelm her, but beneath it all was a growing resolve.

She couldn’t let Donovan win.

For her baby, for Zane, and for herself—she would fight.

And she wouldn’t stop until they were free.