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Zeke

Where are you?

“Speaking of antsy.” I show Rissa the message.

She rolls her eyes. “Come on, let’s go. You can ease your overprotective husband’s mind, and we can inform him that we’ll work together on this.”

I pause, suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for this woman. “Rissa? Thank you. For everything.”

“Thank me when we get Leo back.” She stands, pulling me into a tight hug. “And Eve? No more secrets, okay? We’re in this together.”

I hug her back, clinging perhaps a bit longer than necessary. “Together,” I agree.

She heads to her car while I walk back to Eli. I feel lighter somehow. Not better—nothing will be better until Leo is safe—but less alone.

Eli opens the car door for me, his expression carefully neutral. “Good talk?”

I slide into the backseat, thinking about everything that lies ahead. The confrontation with Zeke, the dangerous dance we’ll have to do between law and chaos, the desperate race to save my nephew.

“Yeah,” I say finally. “A very good talk.”

My phone buzzes again as Eli pulls away from the curb. Another text from Zeke.

Zeke

I need you home. Now.

I stare at the message. Has something happened? Something new?

Or is this just my overly protective husband?

“Eli?” My voice sounds strange to my own ears. “Drive faster.”

The car accelerates, and I watch the city blur past my window.

Hang on, Leo.We’re coming for you. All of us.

I just pray we’re not too late.

Chapter 22

Crossroads of Fate

Ezekiel

The amber liquid in my glass catches the morning light as I swirl it absently, watching the shadows dance across my desk. It’s too early for whiskey, but given what lies ahead, I need something to steady my nerves. The familiar burn does little to ease the tension coiling in my gut.

Leo.

His name echoes through my mind. The boy who somehow wormed his way into my heart along with his aunt. The child I swore to protect and failed spectacularly.Myboy, though I have no right to claim him as such.

A knock at my office door pulls me from my dark thoughts. “Enter,” I call out, not bothering to look up from my drink.

Eli’s massive frame fills the doorway. “They’re here.”

“They?” I raise a brow.

“Eve and her partner, Narissa.”