CHAPTER 79

The suite was quieter than usual as dawn broke. The team sat around the dining table, their faces etched with exhaustion. Despite their victory the night before, a heavy tension lingered in the air.

Maya sipped her tea, her fingers trembling slightly as she recounted the ambush. “It wasn’t just about scaring us. They were coming for me—and the baby.”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his silver eyes blazing with unspoken fury. “She’s crossed the line.”

“She crossed that line a long time ago,” Alex said, his voice sharp. “Last night was her way of sending a message. Now we need to send one back.”

Reese leaned forward, her expression fierce. “We need to take the fight to her. She’s too comfortable sitting in that fortress of hers, pulling strings and watching the chaos.”

“And we will,” Zane said, his voice low and steady. “But we need to do it strategically. If we move too soon, we’ll risk playing into her hands.”

A Critical Lead

Camilla entered the room, her laptop in hand and a triumphant grin on her face. “I’ve got something,” she said, dropping into a chair.

“What is it?” Zane asked.

“After last night’s attack, I stayed up scanning Helena’s communications,” Camilla explained. “She’s been using an encrypted network to coordinate her operatives, but I found a weak spot in the system.”

Maya leaned forward, her green eyes narrowing. “What kind of weak spot?”

“It’s small, but it’s enough,” Camilla said. “I traced her recent messages to a location outside the city—a private airstrip. She’s scheduled a meeting there tonight.”

Alex frowned. “What kind of meeting?”

Camilla smirked. “The kind where she makes deals with dangerous people. If we can intercept her there, we might finally get the leverage we need to end this.”

The Plan

The team gathered around the table, sketching out the details of their plan.

“We’ll need eyes on the ground,” Alex said. “Camilla, can you set up surveillance on the airstrip?”

“Already working on it,” Camilla replied, typing furiously on her laptop. “By the time we get there, we’ll have full coverage of the area.”

“I’ll coordinate with the authorities,” Alex added. “If we can catch Helena in the act, we can bring her down without firing a shot.”

Zane’s silver eyes flicked to Maya. “You’re staying here.”

Maya opened her mouth to argue, but Zane held up a hand. “No arguments, Maya. After what happened last night, I won’t risk you being in the field.”

Reluctantly, Maya nodded. “Fine. But you come back to me, Zane. Promise me.”

Zane cupped her face, his touch warm and grounding. “I promise.”

The Airstrip

Night fell quickly as the team approached the private airstrip, its lights glowing faintly in the distance. They parked their car a safe distance away and moved silently through the shadows.

Camilla’s voice crackled through their earpieces. “I’ve got eyes on the main hangar. Helena’s car just arrived.”

Zane crouched behind a stack of crates, his silver eyes scanning the scene. He spotted Helena stepping out of her sleek black car, her posture regal and commanding despite the chaos she had caused.

“She’s here,” Zane said softly. “Let’s see what she’s up to.”

From their vantage point, the team watched as Helena greeted a group of men in dark suits. The conversation was too far away to hear, but their body language was tense.

“She’s making a deal,” Alex muttered. “Probably trying to secure more resources for her war against us.”

“Let’s get closer,” Zane said.

A Sudden Turn

As the team crept closer to the hangar, something felt off. Zane’s instincts flared, and he signaled for everyone to stop.

“What is it?” Alex whispered.

Zane scanned the area, his silver eyes narrowing. “It’s too quiet.”

Before anyone could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. They turned just as a group of armed men emerged from the shadows, their weapons trained on the team.

“Well, well,” Helena’s voice called out, cold and mocking. “I knew you couldn’t resist following me, Zane.”

Zane stepped forward, his expression unyielding. “If you think this is going to end well for you, you’re delusional.”

Helena’s smile widened. “Oh, I’m not worried. You’re the one who should be.”

The Standoff

The tension was thick as Helena’s men surrounded the team. Alex’s hand hovered near his weapon, but Zane raised a hand, signaling him to wait.

“What’s your endgame, Helena?” Zane asked, his voice calm but laced with steel.

“My endgame?” Helena repeated, feigning innocence. “Why, Zane, I thought that was obvious. I’m going to take everything from you—your company, your reputation, your family. And when you have nothing left, you’ll finally understand what it feels like to lose.”

Zane’s silver eyes burned with fury. “You won’t touch my family. Not now, not ever.”

Helena stepped closer, her smile venomous. “We’ll see about that.”

A Sudden Break

Before Helena could say more, the sound of sirens cut through the night. Helena’s men hesitated, their eyes darting nervously as flashing lights appeared in the distance.

“What did you do?” Helena hissed, her composure cracking.

Zane smirked. “You’re not the only one who can plan ahead.”

As the authorities swarmed the airstrip, Helena’s men scattered, leaving her exposed. Alex moved quickly, disarming the nearest guard and clearing a path for the team to escape.

“You can’t run forever, Helena,” Zane said as he passed her.

Helena’s glare followed him, her voice cold. “This isn’t over, Zane. Not by a long shot.”

A Temporary Victory

Back at the suite, the team regrouped, their relief tempered by the knowledge that the fight was far from over.

“She’s slipping,” Alex said. “The cracks are showing.”

“But she’s not done,” Zane said, his silver eyes gleaming with determination. “Not until we make sure she can’t come back.”

Maya rested a hand on Zane’s arm, her touch grounding. “We’ll stop her, Zane. Together.”

Zane looked at her, his expression softening. “Together.”

As the night deepened, the team prepared for the next phase of the battle, knowing that the final confrontation with Helena was drawing closer.