Ayla jumped into his arms, wrapping herself around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. "She called! Aylin called! She’s alive, she’s safe, and she wants us to come to the U.S. Tomorrow. Our flights are booked!"

Liam froze for a second, then pulled her in tight. "No way."

He pulled her in tight, but his instincts were already on edge.

Ayla pulled back, grinning through her tears. "She said not to tell anyone... and she booked your ticket, too."

Liam blinked in surprise. "Me? Why me?"

Ayla shrugged, smiling shyly. "I guess you’re part of the family now."

He laughed softly, amazed, as he pulled her back close. "Looks like I am."

She kissed him, slow and sweet, full of relief and love. "I’m scared, but I’m happy."

Liam cupped her face gently. "We’ll be careful. I’ve got you. Always."

She nodded, resting her forehead against his. "I know."

They stayed like that, wrapped up in each other, until it hit them.

Tomorrow. They were off to America.

To Aylin.

To whatever was waiting for them on the other side.

*****

The night was super chill in the Zayden mansion.

The next morning, sunlight flooded through the dining hall windows, lighting up the marble floors and a long table set for three. Mr. Moore, the head butler, stood like he always does—looking sharp and ready.

Zayden walked in first, wearing a black shirt with his sleeves rolled up and his hair still a bit damp from the shower. Aylin came in right behind him, looking gorgeous in a fitted black dress, her hair falling in loose waves. She seemed a little nervous, but so beautiful.

They both stopped when they saw Zayden’s younger brother, who had messy dark hair but shared the same sharp features, though his were softer. He was sprawled in his chair, wearing a half-zipped hoodie and munching on toast like he owned the place.

When he looked up, both he and Aylin froze.

Then it hit them at the same time.

"You?" the brother exclaimed, jumping up so quickly that his chair scraped against the floor.

"Einstein?!"

Aylin’s mouth dropped in disbelief. "You? Chatterbox!"

Zayden blinked, confused. "Wait. Do you two know each other? Aylin? Zayn?"

Zayn, Aylin’s old classmate from Germany, grinned widely. "Know her? She’s the one who did all the work on our group project in Berlin while I played video games in the back! She called me Chatterbox because I once tried to explain quantum physics to the professor while hungover."

Aylin laughed, both shocked and happy. "You’re the idiot who set off the fire alarm during finals because you microwaved ramen with foil!"

Zayn clutched his chest like he was hurt. "It was art! Performance art!"

Zayden looked back and forth between them, his head moving like it was a tennis match. "What the heck is going on?"

Aylin pointed at Zayden. "Wait, Zayden? this is your brother? No way. That can’t be right."

Zayn shot back with a grin. "And this troublemaker here is your Lady Boss? The one you’ve been keeping hidden upstairs like a secret?"

Zayden rubbed his forehead. "So you two went to school together?"

"Germany," they both said at the same time.

Aylin smirked. "He flunked chemistry. I had to carry him through."

Zayn gasped teasingly. "You swiped my notes and sold them off!"

"You paid me in chocolate!" Aylin shot back.

Zayden watched them, half-amused and half-confused. "I seriously need coffee."

Mr. Moore appeared out of nowhere, pouring three mugs.

Zayn casually slung an arm around Aylin’s shoulders. "So... you’re the one who finally melted the ice king?"

Aylin nudged him. "Careful now. I can still mess with your game saves."

Zayn laughed, his voice cheerful and loud. "Still scary. I love it."

Zayden observed them, unable to help but smile. But underneath, something sharper flickered in his expression.

If his little brother knew Aylin from back in the day, then maybe the past wasn’t buried as deep as he thought. Somewhere in those old memories could be the clue to the ghost shooter in the woods—the one who had saved her and then disappeared.

Zayden’s smile faded a bit.

Breakfast was about to get pretty interesting, very interesting.

The breakfast table was a total mess, filled with sunlight.

Zayn kept grinning as he’d just won the jackpot, leaning close like an old friend who’d forgotten how to keep distance while reaching for more toast with the other hand. "So, Lady Boss," he joked, popping a grape into his mouth, "when did you move from saving my butt in chem class to saving my brother’s whole empire?"

Aylin elbowed him again, sharper this time. "When your brother stopped being a brooding forest hermit and started being useful."

Zayden leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed, watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and bewilderment. "You two are giving me a headache."

Zayn let out a loud, carefree laugh. "A headache? This is the most fun you’ve had in years, Z. Admit it."

Aylin smirked and leaned into Zayden’s side just enough for his arm to wrap around her waist instinctively. "He’s right. You’re smiling. I’ve seen it twice now. It’s terrifying."

Zayden’s lips twitched into almost a full grin. "Keep talking, hacker girl. Let’s see what happens later."

Zayn pretended to gag. "Gross. I’m eating."

Mr. Moore appeared silently, refilling coffee, clearing plates, and pretending not to listen to the sibling and almost-sister-in-law banter. But even he had the slightest upward curve to his mouth.

Aylin turned to Zayn, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So... chatterbox. Still failing at adulting?"

He clutched his chest in mock offense. "I’m thriving! I have my own floor, my own game room, and I haven’t set off a fire alarm in... six months."

Aylin snorted. "Progress."

Zayden finally cracked, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest. "You two are worse than Jax and Jane."

Zayn’s eyes lit up. "Wait, you know Jax and Jane? The chaos twins?"

Aylin nodded, a fond smile on her face. "They saved my life."

Zayn leaned forward, serious for the first time. "Then they’re family too. Anyone who keeps you breathing is welcome here."

Aylin asked, "How do you know both of them?"

Zayn replied, "Zayden set them both in Alpha’s empire."

Aylin gasped, "Wait, what? Really?"

Zayden nodded.

Aylin said, "I knew they were both hiding something."

Zayden tightened his arm around Aylin, being both possessive and protective. "They’ll be here soon, along with Ayla."

Zayn’s grin returned, mischievous. "Ayla? Your little sister?"

Somewhere between laughter and coffee, the truth edged closer to the surface—fate didn’t knock this time; it sat down, poured itself coffee, and waited. Whatever was coming next had already been invited in.