CHAPTER 87

The suite was quiet in the aftermath of the day’s chaos. For the first time in what felt like weeks, the team allowed themselves a moment to breathe. The tension that had gripped them for so long began to ease, replaced by exhaustion and a faint glimmer of relief.

Maya sat curled on the couch, her hand resting on her growing baby bump. Zane stood by the window, his silver eyes scanning the city skyline. Despite the success in defusing Helena’s latest attack, his mind was far from at ease.

“Come sit,” Maya said softly, patting the cushion beside her.

Zane hesitated for a moment before joining her, his posture still rigid. Maya reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his.

“You don’t have to carry this alone, you know,” Maya said, her green eyes filled with quiet strength.

Zane sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “It feels like I do. Every move Helena makes, every decision we make to counter her—it all comes back to me.”

“And yet, we’re all here fighting with you,” Maya said, her voice steady. “You’ve built something stronger than Helena could ever break. Not just a company, but a family.”

Zane looked at her, his silver eyes softening. “You’re right. I just… I don’t want to lose any of it. Or you.”

Maya leaned into him, her head resting against his shoulder. “You won’t. We’re stronger together, Zane. And she can’t take that away.”

---

A Quiet Dinner

Later that evening, the team decided to share a rare meal together, the dining table filled with takeout containers and a surprising amount of laughter.

Reese opened a bottle of wine, pouring glasses for everyone except Maya, who raised her glass of sparkling water in mock protest.

“To surviving another day,” Reese said, raising her glass.

“And to ending this madness soon,” Alex added, clinking his glass against hers.

Camilla held up a spring roll, grinning. “And to me for hacking my way into Helena’s files.”

The group laughed, the sound a welcome reprieve from the tension that had hung over them for so long.

---

Personal Moments

As the night wound down, Zane and Maya retreated to their bedroom, the sounds of the city a distant hum outside the window.

Maya changed into a loose nightgown, her movements slow and deliberate. Zane watched her from the bed, his gaze softening as she climbed in beside him.

“You look tired,” Maya said, brushing a strand of hair from his face.

“I am,” Zane admitted, pulling her closer. “But seeing you like this makes it all feel worth it.”

Maya smiled, resting her hand on his chest. “We’ve come so far, Zane. And we’ll go even further. Together.”

He kissed her forehead, his touch lingering. “I don’t deserve you, Maya.”

“Maybe not,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with humor. “But you’ve got me anyway.”

---

Helena’s Fury

At her villa, Helena paced her study, her mind racing. The failure of her latest plan had cost her dearly, and the pressure from her remaining allies was mounting.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming call, and she snatched it up, her voice sharp. “What is it?”

“We’re losing support,” her assistant said nervously. “The DeLucas have officially severed ties, and several of your operatives are turning themselves in.”

Helena’s grip tightened on the phone, her voice a deadly whisper. “Then we move faster. If I can’t destroy Zane through his company, I’ll destroy him through his family.”

“What’s the plan?” the assistant asked hesitantly.

Helena’s lips curved into a cold smile. “I’m going to remind him that no one is untouchable.”

---

A Rare Morning of Peace

The next morning, Zane woke to find Maya still asleep beside him, her features soft and peaceful. For a moment, he allowed himself to simply watch her, his heart swelling with a mixture of love and determination.

He slipped out of bed quietly, heading to the kitchen to make coffee. To his surprise, Alex was already there, leaning against the counter with a mug in hand.

“You’re up early,” Zane said, pouring himself a cup.

Alex smirked. “Couldn’t sleep. Too much going on upstairs.”

Zane nodded, leaning against the counter beside him. “We’ve been through a lot, Alex. But I feel like the worst is still ahead.”

“Probably,” Alex said, his tone calm. “But you’ve handled everything so far. You’ll handle this too.”

Zane glanced at him, a rare smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks. For everything.”

Alex shrugged. “You’d do the same for me.”

---

A Looming Threat

As the team regrouped later that morning, Camilla’s laptop beeped with an alert. She frowned, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she pulled up the details.

“We’ve got a problem,” Camilla said, her tone sharp.

“What now?” Zane asked, his silver eyes narrowing.

“Helena’s not just regrouping,” Camilla said. “She’s doubling down. She’s targeting Maya directly—again. And this time, it’s not just a threat.”

Maya’s heart sank, her hand instinctively resting on her baby bump. “What is she planning?”

“She’s mobilizing a team to abduct Maya,” Camilla said. “The chatter indicates they’re moving soon.”

Zane’s expression darkened, his voice deadly. “She won’t touch her. Not while I’m breathing.”

“We need to act fast,” Alex said, already pulling up maps of the city. “If Helena’s making a move, we need to intercept it before it gets anywhere near Maya.”

---

A Final Resolve

As the team sprang into action, Zane pulled Maya aside, his silver eyes locking onto hers.

“This ends today,” Zane said, his voice firm. “No more waiting, no more reacting. We’re going after her, Maya. And this time, we finish it.”

Maya placed her hands on his chest, her green eyes filled with trust. “Then let’s end it together.”

Zane leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Together.”

As they turned to join the team, the weight of their shared determination filled the room. Helena had pushed them to their limits, but now, they were ready to push back—and they wouldn’t stop until it was over.