Leo groaned as he pulled out his phone. "Don’t even start."

Aylin leaned forward, a cheeky smile on her face. "Oh, we’re definitely starting."

Leo hit dial and put it on speaker.

One ring.

Two.

Then a sultry, teasing voice came on. "Darling... how’s it going? Did you miss me?"

Leo’s face went from pink to bright red. He cleared his throat twice. "Selina. We need you at the tower. Now."

A soft laugh came through the speaker. "Mmm. You’re being so bossy today. I like it. Give me forty-five minutes."

Leo’s voice cracked. "Make it thirty."

"Only because it’s you, babe."

Click.

Silence.

Aylin burst out laughing, her head tilted back in pure joy. "Baby?!"

Zayden’s grin turned wild as he leaned closer to Leo, his eyes sparkling. "So... you’re the one who brought her into my world that day?"

Leo’s ears practically turned red. "It... just kind of happened. Twice."

"Twice?!" Aylin wheezed, holding her stomach. "Leo! You little sneak—"

Zayden chuckled, clearly entertained. "Betrayer."

Leo raised his hands in defeat. "Okay, yes, fine! I like her! Happy now?!"

Aylin wiped a tear from her eye. "Look at him, he’s redder than a stoplight. And here we thought you were just grumpy."

Leo pointed at her. "You’re one to talk, Miss ’I’m not blushing, it’s just the lighting.’"

Zayden laughed, a deep, full sound, then got serious. "All right. She’s coming. We need her intel on William. If anyone knows where Maksim is hiding him, it’s her."

Aylin nodded, her smile fading into something more serious. "And what if she lies?"

Zayden’s eyes locked onto hers, cold and determined. "Then we deal with her."

Leo shifted uneasily. "She won’t lie. Not to me."

Aylin raised an eyebrow. "Feeling confident, aren’t we?"

Leo muttered, "Just shut up."

Thirty-two minutes later, early, just like she promised, the guard’s voice came through the intercom.

"Boss, Selina’s here."

Zayden pressed the button. "Bring her in."

The door opened a moment later.

Selina walked in, rocking a black leather jacket and bright red lipstick that could slice glass. Her heels clicked against the floor like gunshots as she scanned the office, first looking at Leo, her gaze lingering too long, then at Zayden, and finally at Aylin.

"Well," she said with a smirk, "the whole crew’s here."

Aylin’s look was cold. "Cut the nonsense. Where’s William Arthur?"

Selina let out a big sigh and flopped down in a chair like she owned the place. "Nice to see you too, darling."

Zayden leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. "Stop playing games. William. Where does Maksim keep him?"

Selina held his gaze without flinching. "I honestly don’t know."

Zayden narrowed his eyes. "You think I’m an idiot?"

"No, Z." She leaned back and crossed her legs. "I’m being serious. Michael grabbed him eleven years ago—knocked him out after that shutdown fight and handed him right over to Maksim. After that, Maksim stopped talking about him. No mentions. No visits that I’ve noticed. If he’s still alive, it’s like he’s vanished into thin air."

Aylin moved closer, her tone threatening. "Sounds convenient."

Selina quickly looked at her, a bit cautious. "It’s not convenient. It’s maddening. I’ve tried digging into it. Nothing."

Zayden studied her in silence for a while before giving a single nod. "Okay. But you’re going to help us find him."

Selina raised an eyebrow. "And how do you expect me to do that?"

Aylin pulled out a tiny black chip from her pocket, about the size of a fingernail. She held it up.

"This," she said quietly, "goes on Maksim. You plant it, and we’ll hear everything, calls, meetings, whispers. We can track his every move. Sooner or later, if William’s alive, Maksim will either go to him or talk about him. And we’ll be listening in."

Selina stared at the chip, then at Aylin, and finally at Zayden. "You want me to slip into Maksim’s inner circle with a tracker that could get me killed."

Zayden’s voice was flat. "We’re asking you to show that you’re on our side."

Selina took a shaky breath. "Alright."

She reached for the chip.

Aylin’s hand clamped over hers firmly.

Selina froze.

Aylin’s voice dropped, low and intense. "If you think I’ll ever forgive you... you’re wrong. You’re only here because it benefits you. But don’t confuse that with friendship. You know what I mean."

Selina’s tough facade cracked for just a second, guilt and fear flashed in her eyes.

She swallowed and nodded once.

Aylin let go of her hand.

Selina slipped the chip into her pocket, got up, and walked out the door without saying anything else.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Silence.

Aylin turned to the window, feeling tense and stiff.

After ten mins, Selina’s black car rolled down the driveway and disappeared past the gate.

Her hands were tight at her sides, and her breathing hitched—once, then twice. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Her nose was red, her cheeks were hot, and her eyes sparkled with tears that hadn’t fallen yet.

Zayden stood up slowly and asked, "Babe... what’s going on?"

She didn’t say anything.

He crossed the room quickly. "Aylin. Talk to me."

She shook her head—small and quick.

Zayden gently turned her to face him and saw the tears, her red eyes, and her quivering lip.

His voice was soft and urgent. "What did she do? What else happened?"

Aylin’s face cracked under the weight of his question.

She threw herself into his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and hiding her face in his shirt. Sobs came out, quiet at first, then stronger, as years of hurt poured out in waves.

Zayden held her close, wrapping her in his strong arms. One hand supported the back of her head, his fingers running through her hair. He pressed gentle kisses to the top of her head, murmuring comforting words.

"I’ve got you," he whispered. "I’m here for you, baby."

Leo stood frozen for a moment, then quietly slipped out of the room, closing the door softly.

Inside, Aylin cried until her sobs turned into hiccups. Zayden never let go.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes puffy, cheeks wet from tears, he cupped her face, using his thumbs to wipe away the tears.

"Feeling better?" he asked softly.

She nodded, though it was shaky. "I want to see my sister."

Zayden smiled gently, genuinely. "Of course. You can invite her here if you want, or we can go see her. Whatever works for you."

Aylin’s eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

"Really." He kissed her forehead. "Anything for you."

She let out a shaky laugh. "Thanks, Zayden."

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Always."

Downstairs, the staff was chatting, cheerful and hopeful.

Upstairs, in the quiet office, Aylin rested her cheek against Zayden’s heartbeat.

But one question still lingered in her mind, unanswered and hanging like smoke.

Who was the ghost shooter in the forest, and why had they saved her just to disappear?