CHAPTER 90

The suite was thick with tension as Zane and Alex strategized their next move. The revelation about Jeremy had shifted the game. For months, Helena had placed a piece on the board right under their noses.

Maya sat at the kitchen counter, her hands gripping a mug of tea. The warmth did little to chase away the chill spreading through her chest. “I can’t believe he’s been working for her all this time.”

Reese placed a comforting hand on Maya’s shoulder. “We’ll handle him, Maya. He won’t get away with this.”

Zane stepped forward, his silver eyes blazing with resolve. “He’s staying at the Arcadia Hotel. We’ll bring him in tonight. Alex, Camilla, you’re with me.”

Maya’s green eyes widened. “Wait. What do you mean, bring him in? Are you going to hurt him?”

Zane’s voice was cold. “Not unless he gives us a reason to.”

---

The Setup

At the Arcadia Hotel, Jeremy sat in his room, a glass of whiskey in hand as he stared at his laptop screen. The tension in his posture suggested he was waiting for something—or someone.

His phone buzzed, and he hesitated before answering.

“Helena,” he said, his voice low.

“Have they contacted you?” Helena’s voice was sharp, her impatience evident.

“Not yet,” Jeremy replied. “But they’re suspicious. I think they’re watching me.”

Helena’s tone turned icy. “Then finish the job before they catch you. I don’t need another liability.”

Jeremy’s jaw tightened. “Understood.”

As the call ended, Jeremy set his glass down, his hands shaking slightly.

---

The Interception

That night, Zane, Alex, and Camilla made their way to the Arcadia Hotel, slipping into the building unnoticed. Camilla had already hacked the security system, disabling the cameras near Jeremy’s room.

Zane knocked on the door, his expression cold and unreadable.

Jeremy opened it cautiously, his eyes widening in shock when he saw Zane. “Zane? What are you doing here?”

“Invite me in,” Zane said, his tone sharp.

Jeremy hesitated, glancing down the hallway, but Zane’s unrelenting gaze left him no choice. He stepped aside, allowing Zane and Alex to enter.

“What’s this about?” Jeremy asked, his voice shaking slightly.

Zane stepped closer, his silver eyes piercing. “You’ve been working for Helena. Don’t bother denying it—we’ve seen the payments.”

Jeremy paled, his hands clenching into fists. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Alex scoffed. “Wrong answer.”

Zane leaned in, his voice dangerously low. “Let’s skip the lies, Jeremy. Why are you here? What does Helena want from you?”

Jeremy took a step back, his gaze darting between them. “She… she hired me to get close to Maya. To gather information about your plans, your weaknesses.”

Maya’s name on Jeremy’s lips made Zane’s temper flare. His voice dropped to an icy whisper. “And you thought you could manipulate her for Helena’s benefit?”

Jeremy raised his hands defensively. “It wasn’t supposed to go this far! I didn’t know what Helena was planning until it was too late.”

---

A Desperate Plea

Jeremy’s voice cracked as he continued. “I made a mistake, alright? I needed the money, and Helena offered me a way out of debt. I didn’t think it would come to this.”

“Save the excuses,” Alex snapped. “You knew exactly who you were working for.”

Zane stepped forward, his imposing presence making Jeremy stumble back. “You betrayed Maya. You put her life and our baby’s life at risk. If you want any chance of walking out of here, you’d better start talking.”

Jeremy swallowed hard, his voice trembling. “Helena’s planning something big. She didn’t tell me all the details, but I know it involves Maya. She thinks if she can take Maya out of the picture, she can break you.”

Zane’s silver eyes burned with fury. “Where is she?”

Jeremy hesitated, and Zane’s voice turned deadly. “Where is she, Jeremy?”

“She’s moving between safe houses,” Jeremy stammered. “The last time I spoke to her, she mentioned a property on the east side of the city. A warehouse. That’s all I know.”

---

A Warning

Zane stared at Jeremy for a long moment before turning to Alex. “Tie him up. We’ll deal with him later.”

Jeremy’s eyes widened in panic. “Wait! You don’t have to do this. I can help you—”

“You’ve done enough,” Zane said coldly.

As Alex secured Jeremy, Zane stepped out into the hallway, his hands clenched into fists. Camilla joined him, her expression grim. “Do you believe him?”

“Part of it,” Zane admitted. “But we’ll verify everything he’s told us. If he’s lying…”

Camilla nodded, her tone sharp. “We’ll make sure he regrets it.”

---

Back at the Suite

When Zane returned to the suite, Maya was waiting for him, her expression a mixture of worry and relief.

“Did you find him?” she asked.

“We did,” Zane said, his voice steady. “And he talked. Helena’s planning something involving you.”

Maya’s face paled, her hand instinctively resting on her baby bump. “What does she want from me?”

“She thinks you’re my weakness,” Zane said, his silver eyes softening as he cupped her face. “But she doesn’t realize you’re my strength.”

Maya leaned into his touch, her voice trembling. “What do we do now?”

“We go on the offensive,” Zane said, his tone firm. “Helena’s running out of places to hide, and we’re going to find her. This ends now.”

---

Helena’s Next Move

At the warehouse on the east side of the city, Helena stood with her remaining operatives, her expression cold and unyielding.

“They’re getting closer,” one of her men said nervously. “It’s only a matter of time before they find us.”

Helena’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. “Let them come. They’ll learn the hard way that I’m not someone to underestimate.”

She turned to another operative, her voice sharp. “Prepare for the next phase. If Zane wants a war, I’ll give him one.”