CHAPTER 78

The early hours of the morning were deceptively calm. The city seemed to hold its breath, as if bracing for the chaos that loomed on the horizon. In the suite, Zane and Maya sat with Alex, Reese, and Camilla, their expressions focused as they finalized their plan.

“We’ve strengthened the defenses at all major offices,” Alex said, his tone sharp. “But Helena’s escalation to physical attacks means we need to think beyond just protecting infrastructure.”

“She’s going after people now,” Zane said, his silver eyes narrowing. “That’s her way of trying to intimidate us. We won’t let her succeed.”

Reese glanced at Camilla, who was scanning her laptop with intense focus. “Anything new from Helena’s communications?”

Camilla shook her head, her blue hair falling into her face. “She’s gone dark. Whatever she’s planning, she’s keeping it close to the chest.”

“That’s what worries me,” Maya said softly. “When she’s quiet, she’s dangerous.”

A Surprise Visit

A knock at the door startled everyone. Alex moved first, his hand instinctively reaching for the weapon at his side. Zane followed, his expression hard as he opened the door.

To everyone’s surprise, Luca stood on the threshold, his hands raised in mock surrender.

“Well, well,” Luca said, his voice dripping with amusement. “Aren’t you going to invite your dear brother in?”

“What do you want, Luca?” Zane asked coldly.

Luca’s smirk faltered for a moment. “We need to talk. Helena’s lost it. She’s spiraling, and if you don’t stop her soon, she’s going to take everyone down with her—including me.”

The room fell silent as Zane studied Luca, his silver eyes unreadable.

“Why should we believe you?” Alex asked, his tone sharp.

“Because I’m not ready to die,” Luca said bluntly. “And that’s exactly what will happen if Helena keeps pushing the DeLucas to the edge. Alessandro’s patience is wearing thin, and trust me, you don’t want to see what happens when he snaps.”

A Fragile Alliance

Zane gestured for Luca to enter, though his posture remained tense. Luca took a seat at the table, his demeanor unusually subdued.

“Start talking,” Zane said.

Luca sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “Helena’s plan is unraveling, but she’s too proud to admit it. She’s orchestrating an attack on your headquarters—yes, you already know that. But what you don’t know is that she’s also targeting Maya.”

Maya’s breath caught, her hand instinctively reaching for her baby bump.

“What do you mean?” Zane demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

“She’s desperate,” Luca said. “She thinks if she can get to Maya, she can force you to back off. She’s arranged for a kidnapping—tonight.”

The room erupted into chaos as Zane shot to his feet, his silver eyes blazing.

“You’re lying,” Zane said, his voice deadly.

“Why would I lie about this?” Luca snapped. “Do you think I enjoy being here? Helena’s gone too far, and I’m not going to let her drag me down with her.”

Preparing for the Attack

The team sprang into action, their focus shifting to ensuring Maya’s safety.

“We’ll move Maya to a secure location,” Alex said, his tone firm. “Somewhere Helena can’t reach her.”

“I’m not hiding,” Maya said, her voice steady.

Zane turned to her, his expression softening. “Maya, this isn’t just about you. It’s about the baby. Please, let us protect you.”

Maya hesitated, her green eyes locking onto Zane’s. “Only if we face this together. I’m not leaving your side.”

Zane nodded, his silver eyes filled with resolve. “Then we’ll stay together. But we’ll be ready for whatever Helena throws at us.”

Helena Makes Her Move

At her villa, Helena paced the room, her phone pressed to her ear as she gave orders to her operatives.

“Everything is in place,” she said. “The team knows what to do?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the operative replied. “We’ll move as soon as the target is vulnerable.”

Helena ended the call, her lips curving into a cold smile. “Let’s see how well you protect your precious Maya, Zane.”

The Ambush

That night, as the team prepared to leave the hotel, the tension was palpable. Alex had stationed additional guards around the building, and the team moved cautiously, their eyes scanning every shadow.

As they exited through the underground parking garage, a sudden explosion rocked the space, sending debris raining down.

“Get down!” Alex shouted, pulling Maya behind a concrete pillar as gunfire erupted.

Zane drew his weapon, his silver eyes blazing as he returned fire. “Stay with Alex,” he ordered Maya. “Don’t move.”

The scene descended into chaos as Helena’s operatives moved in, their goal clear: to capture Maya.

Maya pressed herself against the pillar, her heart pounding as she clutched her baby bump. Zane fought like a man possessed, his every move calculated and precise.

Reese and Camilla took cover behind a car, Camilla muttering curses as she tried to access the building’s surveillance system through her laptop.

“Almost there,” Camilla said, her fingers flying over the keyboard.

“Make it fast,” Reese shot back, firing a warning shot at one of the attackers.

Turning the Tide

The tide began to shift as Alex and Zane worked in unison, their combined skills overwhelming Helena’s operatives. Camilla finally hacked into the surveillance system, activating the building’s emergency lockdown.

Metal gates descended over the garage’s exits, trapping the attackers inside.

“They’re boxed in,” Camilla called out.

“Good,” Zane said, his voice cold. “Now let’s finish this.”

Within minutes, the remaining operatives surrendered, their weapons clattering to the ground.

Zane stalked toward the leader, his silver eyes gleaming with fury. “Tell Helena this ends now. The next time she comes for my family, I’ll end her.”

A Quiet Victory

Back in the suite, the team regrouped, their exhaustion evident. Maya sat beside Zane, her hand resting on his arm.

“She won’t stop,” Maya said softly.

“No,” Zane replied, his voice steady. “But neither will we.”

Alex entered the room, his expression grim. “The authorities have taken the operatives into custody. They’re already questioning them.”

“Good,” Zane said. “Let’s make sure they have everything they need to bring Helena down.”

Helena’s Fury

At her villa, Helena’s phone buzzed with an update from her operative. As she listened, her expression darkened.

“They failed,” the operative said. “Zane and his team were prepared.”

Helena’s grip tightened on the phone, her knuckles white. “Then we escalate. If Zane wants war, I’ll give him war.”