Selina smoothly stepped between them, placing a hand on each of their chests.

"Guys," she said, her tone playful but with a warning edge. "Save the testosterone showdown for later. Right now, we need to figure out who messed us up."

Alpha reached out and grabbed her wrist, not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to make a point.

"Watch it, Selina," he said softly. "You’re really good at playing both sides. But one day, you’re going to have to choose."

Selina held his gaze without blinking. "I go with what keeps me alive. Everything else is just details."

He held her stare for a long moment before letting go.

"Smart girl."

Maksim’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything.

After Alpha stormed out, looking for answers he’d probably never find, Maksim pulled Selina close again.

"You’re playing a risky game," he murmured into her hair.

"I always do," she replied.

"He wants to take you out. You know that, right?"

"I get it."

"And still, you push his buttons."

Selina grinned, a bit dark and clever. "Because a guy like him is easier to handle when you know what he’s going to do. If Alpha’s busy hating on me, he’s not focused on what really counts."

Maksim studied her. "And what’s that?"

"Staying alive long enough to watch you two take each other out," she said straight up.

He laughed, genuinely surprised. "You’re one tough cookie."

"I picked up a thing or two from the best."

Maksim’s hand gently held her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. "When this all wraps up, when HK is gone, and Alpha’s out of the picture, come with me. Let’s rule together. I’ll give you everything you want."

Selina’s heart did a little flip.

Because for just a second, literally just a second, she almost believed him. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Almost wanted to say yes.

But then she thought about Leo. About finding redemption. About a life that didn’t involve bloodshed and betrayal.

"We’ll see," she said instead, staying vague.

Maksim seemed happy with that.

He kissed her, fierce and possessive, then let her go.

"Go on," he said. "Before I change my mind and want to keep you here all night."

Selina straightened her dress, grabbed her purse, and headed for the door.

But before she walked out, she turned back.

"Maksim?"

"Yeah?"

"Don’t trust Alpha. Not even a tiny bit."

Maksim’s smile was sharp. "I don’t trust anyone, little snake. Not even you."

"Smart," Selina replied. "That’ll help keep you alive."

She left, her heels echoing down the hallway.

Once she got to her car, she pulled out her encrypted phone.

One message to HK’s secure line:

"Alpha is looking for the mole. Maksim has no idea. They’re planning another attack, bigger and messier. I’ll share the details soon."

She hit send and watched the message disappear.

Then she pulled up another contact.

Leo.

Her thumb hovered over his name.

After all this is done, she promised herself. I’ll tell him everything. And hope he doesn’t hate me.

She tucked the phone away and drove into the night.

Back in the hidden office, Maksim poured himself another drink.

He was thinking about Selina, Alpha, and Hazard King.

Soon, he thought, staring into the amber drink. Very soon, I’ll be on HK’s throne. Alpha will be out of the picture, and Selina will be mine.

He raised his glass for a silent toast to what’s coming and took a big gulp.

What he didn’t know was that everything he said that night was getting sent straight to his enemy.

He had no clue that the woman he wanted to be his queen was already planning to take him down.

He also didn’t realize that the empire he was after was built on secrets that would eventually trap him.

In a game where everyone’s scheming, who makes the first move, and who ends up getting eaten alive?

*****

In the evening, the mansion was pretty quiet.

Azalea stood at the big entrance, her nice coat draped over her arm and car keys swinging from her perfectly polished fingers.

The night had turned out to be more eye-opening than anyone expected.

Zayden walked her outside, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the warm porch light.

"Drive safe," he said, his voice holding that protective vibe he always had when it came to his twin.

Azalea smiled, the genuine warmth softening her usually cool look. "I always do." She paused, then added with a grin, "Try not to burn down the place while I’m gone."

"No promises," Zayden shot back dryly.

She turned to leave but looked back one more time. "Oh, and Z?"

"Yeah?"

"She’s good for you. Aylin. Don’t mess it up."

Zayden’s lips twitched in a smirk. "I wasn’t planning on it."

"Good." Azalea’s face got serious for a second. "Send Mom my love when you call her."

"I will."

Azalea hopped into her sleek black Mercedes and drove off into the night, leaving Zayden standing at the door.

Aylin slipped up next to him, her smaller frame fitting perfectly against him as she took his hand.

"What’s next?" she asked quietly, watching the taillights disappear.

Zayden was quiet for a moment, his steel-blue eyes staring into the distance. "One thing I know about my sister; whatever she’s doing, there’s always a reason behind it. And she’s never wrong. I’ve known her my whole life. We grew up together. She’s sharp, strategic, and doesn’t make any moves without a plan."

Aylin nodded, thinking it over. "I feel the same way. Let’s see how this plays out."

They turned to head back inside when Aylin paused, tilting her head to look up at him. "By the way, why didn’t you tell me?"

Zayden raised an eyebrow. "Tell you what?"

"That you’re not just Zayden. You’re Zayden Cole Virelli. One of the top three businesspeople in the world. That’s kind of a big deal."

Zayden chuckled, pulling her closer. "I didn’t hide it. I just never got to explain it properly."

Aylin narrowed her eyes playfully. "Really? That’s your excuse?"

"It’s a valid excuse," he defended, giving her a light kiss on the temple. "And you can believe it because it’s true."

"Fine," Aylin said with a smile. "I’ll believe you. This time."