CHAPTER 66

The morning light filtered through the hotel room’s curtains, casting soft rays across Maya’s face as she stirred awake. She blinked against the brightness, taking a moment to remember where she was. The tension of the previous days had left her drained, and the promise of another battle loomed heavy.

Beside her, Zane was already awake, his silver eyes scanning the tablet in his hands. The sharp lines of his face were softened by the light, and for a moment, Maya allowed herself to just look at him.

“Morning,” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

Zane glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Morning.”

Maya sat up, brushing her hair back as she yawned. “Already working?”

“Helena doesn’t take weekends off,” Zane said dryly, setting the tablet aside.

Maya chuckled softly. “Maybe she should try yoga or a spa day. It might make her less... evil.”

Zane’s laugh was low and warm. “I’d pay to see that.”

The light moment between them eased the tension in the air, a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, they had each other.

Breakfast Interruptions

By the time Maya and Zane made their way downstairs for breakfast, Reese and Alex were already at the table, their expressions ranging from focused to outright annoyed.

“I don’t know who Helena’s PR team is, but they must be demons,” Reese said, stabbing her fork into a piece of fruit. “The way they twist everything—it’s like a masterclass in manipulation.”

Alex smirked, sipping his coffee. “Maybe we should hire them once this is all over.”

Maya snorted, earning a raised eyebrow from Zane. “Don’t even joke about that,” she said, shaking her head.

Before anyone could respond, Alex’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned. “That’s the contact from the Naples terminal.”

Zane gestured for him to answer. The room fell silent as Alex took the call, his face growing darker with each passing second.

When he hung up, he looked directly at Zane. “Helena’s men are back at the terminal. They’re trying to erase the evidence we found.”

The Return to the Terminal

Within an hour, the team was back at the port, the tension palpable as they approached the terminal under Alex’s direction. This time, Zane insisted on a smaller group—just him, Maya, and Alex. Reese stayed behind to manage the PR fallout and act as their safety net.

“Stay close to me,” Zane murmured to Maya as they moved through the shadows of the port.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Maya replied, her heart pounding in her chest.

The terminal was quieter than their last visit, but the air was thick with the sense that they weren’t alone. As they approached the containers where the critical evidence had been stored, Alex signaled for them to stop.

“Someone’s inside,” Alex whispered, nodding toward the open container door.

Zane motioned for Maya to stay back as he and Alex moved closer. From her position, Maya could just make out two figures rifling through the crates, their voices low but urgent.

“They’re looking for something,” Alex murmured.

Zane’s expression hardened. “They’re trying to destroy it.”

An Unexpected Twist

Before Zane and Alex could intervene, one of the men turned, revealing a familiar face. Maya’s breath caught as recognition hit her like a freight train.

“Luca,” Zane said, his voice a cold blade.

Luca’s smirk was visible even in the dim light. “Brother,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “I wondered how long it would take you to show up.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Zane demanded, stepping forward.

Luca gestured lazily toward the container. “Just cleaning up a mess. You know how it is—Helena likes things neat and tidy.”

“You’re working with her?” Maya asked, stepping closer despite Zane’s warning look.

Luca’s dark eyes flicked to her, his smirk widening. “Maya. Always so quick to assume the worst. But yes, I’m here on Helena’s behalf. And if you’re smart, you’ll leave before things get ugly.”

Zane’s fists clenched at his sides, but he kept his voice steady. “We’re not going anywhere.”

Luca sighed dramatically. “Pity. I was hoping this could be civil.”

With a snap of his fingers, two more men emerged from the shadows, their stances threatening.

The Confrontation

The tension snapped as Zane and Alex sprang into action. Maya stepped back, her pulse racing as chaos erupted around her.

Zane moved like a force of nature, disarming one of the men with a swift, calculated strike. Alex engaged the other, his movements precise and efficient.

Luca watched from the sidelines, his expression a mix of amusement and irritation. “You always did enjoy a good fight, didn’t you, brother?”

Maya’s eyes darted around, searching for something—anything—that could help. Her gaze landed on a steel rod lying nearby, and without hesitating, she grabbed it.

When one of the men lunged toward Zane, Maya swung the rod, catching him in the side and sending him stumbling.

Zane glanced at her, his silver eyes flashing with a mix of surprise and pride. “Nice swing.”

“Thanks,” Maya said breathlessly.

The fight ended as quickly as it had begun, with Zane and Alex standing victorious. Luca, now flanked by two groaning henchmen, clapped slowly.

“Well done,” Luca said, his tone mocking. “But this isn’t over. You know that, right?”

“It is for now,” Zane said, his voice cold. “Get out.”

Luca shrugged, backing away with a smirk. “Enjoy your little victory. Helena sends her regards.”

Aftermath

Back at the hotel, the team regrouped, their nerves still frayed from the confrontation.

“That was too close,” Alex said, running a hand through his hair.

“We have what we need,” Zane said, his tone firm. “Helena and Luca just proved they’re desperate. This is our chance to strike.”

Maya sat quietly, her fingers still trembling slightly as she replayed the events in her mind. Zane joined her on the couch, his hand covering hers.

“You were incredible out there,” he said softly.

Maya looked at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. “So were you. But Zane, this isn’t just about us anymore. Luca’s playing a bigger game, and we need to figure out what it is.”

Zane nodded, his silver eyes filled with determination. “We will. And when we do, we’ll make sure they can’t recover.”

As the night stretched on, the team prepared for their next move. The battle was far from over, but for the first time, Maya felt a glimmer of hope.

Because together, they were stronger than any scheme Helena or Luca could devise.