CHAPTER 63

The jet hummed softly as it soared above the Atlantic, its sleek interior a stark contrast to the tension that filled the cabin. Maya sat by the window, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the armrest. Across from her, Zane and Alex were locked in conversation, their voices low but firm.

Reese, seated beside Maya, leaned closer. “You doing okay?”

Maya nodded, though the knot in her stomach told a different story. “I’m just trying to focus. This feels bigger than anything we’ve dealt with before.”

Reese offered a reassuring smile. “You’ve been through worse, Maya. And you’ve come out stronger every time. Don’t let Helena get inside your head.”

Maya managed a small smile, but her thoughts drifted to the challenges ahead. Naples wasn’t just a city—it was a battleground.

Arriving in Naples

The team landed under the cover of night, their arrival carefully planned to avoid attention. Alex had arranged for transportation, and they were swiftly whisked away to a discreet hotel near the port where the suspected shipments had been altered.

Zane stood by the window of their suite, his silver eyes scanning the city lights. Maya joined him, her presence grounding as she slipped her hand into his.

“Do you think we’ll find what we need?” Maya asked softly.

Zane’s jaw tightened. “We don’t have a choice. Helena’s built her trap, but if we’re fast enough, we’ll dismantle it before it snaps shut.”

The First Lead

The following morning, Alex led the team to the port, his contacts having secured access to the terminal in question. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater and diesel, the distant hum of machinery filling the silence as they approached the massive shipping yard.

“This is the terminal,” Alex said, gesturing toward a cluster of containers marked with the Moretti Corps logo. “The manifests show these containers as part of the altered shipments.”

Maya’s heart raced as they stepped closer. Zane’s presence beside her was steady, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the scene.

“What are we looking for?” Maya asked.

“Anything that ties Helena or the DeLucas to this operation,” Alex replied. “If we can prove they tampered with these shipments, it’ll clear Moretti Corps of any wrongdoing.”

The Telltale Sign

As they began their search, Reese joined Maya near one of the containers, her sharp eyes scanning the documents Alex had handed them.

“Wait a second,” Reese said, pointing to a line of numbers on the manifest. “These serial numbers don’t match the official records.”

Maya frowned. “What does that mean?”

“It means someone swapped these containers,” Alex said, joining them. “The contents listed here don’t align with the original shipment. This is proof of tampering.”

Zane appeared at Alex’s side, his silver eyes narrowing as he studied the manifest. “And who signed off on the transfer?”

Alex flipped through the pages, his expression darkening. “A DeLuca operative. This ties Helena’s alliance to the smuggling operation.”

Maya’s heart surged with a mix of relief and determination. “This is it. This is what we need to expose her.”

The Trap Tightens

As the group left the terminal, Alex’s phone buzzed. He answered quickly, his expression darkening as he listened.

“What is it?” Zane asked.

Alex ended the call, his jaw tight. “Helena knows we’re here. My contact just spotted one of her men watching the terminal.”

Zane’s expression turned icy. “She’s trying to force our hand.”

“What do we do?” Maya asked, her voice steady despite the unease curling in her chest.

“We finish what we came here to do,” Zane said firmly. “If Helena wants to escalate, we’ll be ready.”

Helena’s Countermove

Back in her villa, Helena watched the live feed from her contact’s hidden cameras at the port. Seeing Zane and Maya’s team moving through the terminal sent a flicker of irritation through her, but she masked it with a cool smile.

“They’re faster than I expected,” she said to Alessandro DeLuca, who stood nearby.

“They’re resourceful,” Alessandro replied. “But are you prepared for what happens if they expose this operation?”

Helena’s smile turned cold. “They won’t get the chance. Prepare the secondary shipment. By the time they realize what’s happening, it’ll be too late.”

A Nighttime Revelation

That evening, back at the hotel, Zane and Maya poured over the documents they had retrieved from the port. Reese had flagged several discrepancies, and Alex had already begun drafting a report to counter the media narrative.

“This is enough to expose Helena’s connection to the smuggling operation,” Alex said, his tone confident. “If we release this, it’ll destroy her credibility and sever her ties to the DeLucas.”

Maya nodded, her resolve strengthening. “Then we move forward. The longer we wait, the more damage she can do.”

Zane’s silver eyes flickered with determination. “We’ll make our move tomorrow. Helena’s been playing this game for too long—it’s time we ended it.”

The Calm Before the Next Strike

Later that night, Maya stood on the balcony of their suite, the cool breeze brushing against her skin as she stared at the city lights. Zane joined her, his presence steady and grounding.

“You’re quiet,” Zane said softly.

“I’m just thinking,” Maya replied, her voice thoughtful. “About everything we’ve been through. About what’s still ahead.”

Zane wrapped an arm around her, his silver eyes steady as they met hers. “We’ve faced worse, Maya. And we’ve come out stronger every time.”

Maya leaned into him, her heart steadying. “Then let’s finish this, Zane. Together.”

Zane nodded, his voice firm. “Together.”

As the night deepened, the city below seemed to pulse with anticipation, the storm Helena had unleashed drawing ever closer. But Maya and Zane were ready.

Because this time, they weren’t just defending themselves—they were fighting for everything they had built.