he heavy black coat he wore swayed as he moved, his boots clicking ominously against th

oted, his eyes darting between Declan, Helena, and the Synd

ith?" Declan's voice rose, but th

ting slightly. "I know exactly who I'm dealing with,

Declan's security team shifted uneasily, their hands hover

ide of the room. He needed to assess the situation-and more

emeanor hiding the storm beneath. "This wasn't the deal,"

, Helena. One where you thought you could manipula

the briefest moment. Alex caught it and stored it away. Hel

e hardening as he stepped in front of Helena. "You think you

unnervingly calm. "You misunderstand, Declan. I'

on. The lights in the room flickered, plunging the space into partial darkness. Ga

is wasn't just intimidatio

o the earpiece hidden under

ied, his voice tense. "This

don't

ught aligning with the Syndicate would give you control.

cracked. "What th

Instead, he pointed to Alex, his

ned to Alex, who felt the weight o

tepping forward despite the voice in

evoid of emotion. "You've been asking questions you hav

you think I'm scared of yo

laugh. "Oh, you should be. But yo

ll black box onto the floor. It sli

pick it up. The box was light, the surface smooth and cold. He op

a single

ce streaked with tears. A timer was vi

e ho

blood r

owled, his voice trembling

d simply. "You walk away from this. From Decla

ed this all along. This wasn't just about Declan or Helena. It wa

?" Alex

e she's your weakness. And weakn

Alex felt the weight of every second ticking

ow and dangerous. "If you hurt he

x. But you're out of time. The clock is

away, disappearing into the shadows. Declan and Hel

in Alex's earpiece. "Ale

already made up. He would save E

three hours to find Emilia, three hours to figure out where they were kee

front of him, the passenger door swi

ictor asked, already

ing with determination. "We find her. And

e this is a trap, right? They

n't c

w better than to try to reason with Al

Alex's phone buzzed again. Anoth

ht. The clock w

e a blade. If the Syndicate thought they could use Emilia again

begun, and the gam

Contin