NATE’S POV “So…” Elliot shrugged, a smug smirk pulling at his lips. “What’s it going to be?” What rattled me most wasn’t his voice it was the look in his eyes. Like he already knew what I’d choose. “Loyalty to your long-time friend… or my sister?” I swallowed hard. “Angelo won’t be part of it anymore,” I said. “I’ll tell him to back off.” Elliot’s brow arched, clearly surprised—but he masked it fast. “Alright then.” He patted my shoulder. “I’ll meet you at your little fancy mansion later and give you your next set of instructions.” I shoved his hand off, biting back the urge to punch some damn sense into him. Then turned and headed to the car. One of the guards opened the door as I slid into the backseat. The hope I’d carried into the police station had vanished completely. I leaned back, jaw tight. My mind was spiraling again. Thinking about Elara. What they were doing to her. Whether she was hurt. Cold. Scared. Or worse. And the worst part? I couldn’t stop thinking ab
NATE’S POV “I’ll make sure you walk out of here a free man.” Elliot’s voice sliced through the air behind me as I stepped out of the police station. Of course. I let out a slow breath, already bracing myself. He was about to start again another smug remark about how everything I’ve done in the past 48 hours has been wrong. A fresh critique, wrapped in sarcasm and judgment, like he’s been waiting to pounce on my next failure. We were supposed to be working together to find Elara. But so far, all he’s done is stand on the sidelines and criticize everything I do. “Seriously?” Elliot let out a dry chuckle. “Even an intern at my company could’ve come up with something better than that.” I stopped walking and turned to face him. His expression was all too familiar! disgust, disappointment, and pure contempt. I knew that look. He’s worn it for years, ever since the disaster that broke our friendship. A string of mistakes, mostly mine, that led to him blaming me for every
NATE’S POV “I don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about,” Simon said, casually leaning back in the metal chair, cuffed hands resting on the table like he owned the damn room. Liar. I could smell it on him. I forced a breath through my nose. If he wasn’t going to talk about Pierre, then I’d go straight to the real reason I was here. “Where is she?” I asked, jaw tight. My fists curled on top of the table, itching to smash his smirk off his face. But I couldn’t, not with the cameras rolling, not with Chris and the feds watching from the other side of the glass. Simon raised a brow. “Who?” Bastard. “You know exactly who,” I growled. “Pierre took her.” His smirk widened. “Kidnapping? That’s a serious accusation.” “I’m serious,” I snapped. “You were close with him. You know what he was planning. He wants the mines, and he’s using her to get to me.” My voice was getting too loud. I leaned in. Lowered it. “Tell me where she is, and I’ll make sure you walk o
ELARA’S POV I blink. “Excuse me? I think I heard you wrong.” “You,” he repeats, calm as ever. “I did all this for you, Ellie.” He smirks, reaching for my chin. I slap his hand away without thinking. “I did this because I love you. I always have. And I know you know that.” A chill crawls down my spine. He’s serious. Completely serious. Something is wrong with him. I had no idea of his feelings well I made sure I was clear we were friends and nothing more. “You should marry me, El.” I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped me. Just when I thought I’d heard the most absurd thing of the century. He takes my right hand in both of his. “Marry me. We were always meant to be together. Since we were kids. Remember? We’re soulmates.” “You’re crazy,” I whisper, yanking my hand back in disbelief. “I’m crazy for you,” he says without hesitation. “That’s why I went through all this. Can’t you see it?” “Normal people don’t ruin someone’s life and kidnap the person they
ELARA’S POV He pulls me into a hug. But I don’t move. My arms hang limp at my sides as my thoughts begin to spiral. I’m trying to make sense of how or why Nicholas is here. It doesn’t make sense. The man from earlier said “the boss.” That’s supposed to be Pierre… right? Pierre’s the one with a vendetta against Nate. This whole thing is about the mines. About stealing them from him. So what is Nicholas doing here? He’s never had anything to do with minerals, or stones, or any of that world. He’s an architect. He works with buildings. A normal guy. Our families have been close for years. His father and mine have been best friends forever. Nicholas was never mixed up with the black market… or bad people. “It’s been two weeks since I last saw your beautiful face.” He finally pulls away, a wide smile curving on his lips but his eyes are cold. Too cold. “What… are you doing here, Nico?” I whisper. “Did they get you too?” That’s the only explanation I can think of. Maybe he
ELARA’S POV I stared down the dim hallway long after his footsteps faded. My knuckles were white around the bars. My heart hadn’t stopped racing, and that word still rang in my ears like a threat. Fun. Whatever they meant by that… it wasn’t good. I tried to call out after them. “Wait! What does that mean?” My voice cracked. The man in front of me smirked. “You’ll find out soon enough.” I backed away from the bars, slowly sinking to the floor. The cell smelled worse by the second, and the cold was starting to seep into my bones. But worse than the pain or stench was the fear. Because my brain wouldn’t stop replaying those words. Maybe Pierre’s coming. Or maybe he’s sending someone else. Someone worse. That had to be the fun they meant. I pulled Nate’s coat tighter around me. Everything was a blur. I needed to think. What if they’ve already contacted Nate? He’s probably tearing the city apart trying to find me. But if he gives them what they want, it won’t end