Rain hammered against the windshield as Zayn's car cut through the empty streets.
The red dot on the tracker kept moving.
Straight toward the docks.
Ayla's fingers tightened around the pendant at her neck.
Marco's betrayal still burned in her chest.
He had stood in their home.
Looked them in the eyes.
And lied.
"He's slowing down," Elena said from the back seat, watching the tracker.
Zayn's expression sharpened.
"He's reached the safe house."
Ayla looked at him.
"Then tonight ends with answers."
The car came to a stop behind a line of rusted shipping containers.
The rain had grown heavier.
Cold wind whipped through the docks.
In the distance stood an abandoned warehouse.
One dim light glowed from inside.
Zayn turned toward Ayla.
"Stay behind me until I say otherwise."
Ayla met his gaze.
"I'm not staying behind anymore."
For a moment, his expression hardened.
Then he gave a short nod.
"Fine. But do not make reckless moves."
They moved through the shadows in silence.
Rainwater splashed under their feet.
Every step felt louder than it should.
As they reached the side entrance, Elena held up a hand.
"Two guards outside. One near the back."
Zayn's eyes darkened.
"Marco's people."
Within seconds, the guards were taken down quietly.
The warehouse door creaked open.
Inside, dim yellow lights hung from the ceiling.
Metal crates lined the walls.
And in the center of the room-
Marco.
He stood beside a table, the flash drive in his hand.
A slow smile crossed his face.
"I was wondering how long it would take."
Ayla stepped forward.
"You betrayed us."
Marco laughed softly.
"No."
He looked directly at Zayn.
"I chose the winning side."
The words hit like a blade.
Zayn's voice turned dangerously calm.
"Give me the drive."
Marco tilted his head.
"You still think this is about the drive?"
Ayla's heart skipped.
"What do you mean?"
Marco's eyes shifted toward her.
Something cold flashed in them.
"You really don't know, do you?"
Ayla frowned.
"Know what?"
Marco smiled.
"Who you are."
The room went silent.
Zayn stepped forward.
"Marco."
A warning.
Sharp.
Deadly.
But Marco ignored it.
He looked at Ayla as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"Your father lied to you your entire life."
Ayla's breath caught.
"No."
Marco gave a short laugh.
"He wasn't just protecting files."
A pause.
"He was protecting the heir to the Moretti empire."
The words crashed into the room.
Ayla froze.
"What?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Marco's smile widened.
"Lucian Moretti is not just after the key."
His eyes locked on hers.
"He's after blood."
Ayla took a step back.
Her mind spun.
"No. That's impossible."
Marco's expression darkened.
"Your mother was Lucian's sister."
Silence.
Even the rain outside seemed to disappear.
Ayla stared at him.
"No…"
Every memory from childhood flashed through her mind.
Her father never speaking about her mother.
The hidden photographs.
The unanswered questions.
Zayn looked at her.
For once, he said nothing.
And that silence said everything.
"You knew?" Ayla asked.
His jaw tightened.
"I knew part of it."
The betrayal hit differently now.
Not just from Marco.
From everyone.
"So all of this…"
Her voice shook.
"The attacks. The marriage. My father's death…"
Marco finished the sentence for her.
"It was always about you."
Rage exploded inside her.
Before anyone could react, Ayla lunged forward and slapped the flash drive out of Marco's hand.
It skidded across the floor.
Marco cursed and grabbed her wrist.
Big mistake.
Zayn moved instantly.
His fist slammed into Marco's jaw with brutal force.
Marco staggered backward into the table.
The fight erupted.
Marco reached for a knife hidden under his coat.
But Zayn was faster.
He twisted Marco's arm and forced him down.
Ayla grabbed the flash drive from the floor.
Marco looked up at her, blood at the corner of his mouth.
"You still don't understand."
Ayla's eyes burned.
"Then make me understand."
Marco laughed weakly.
"Lucian doesn't want to kill you."
A pause.
"He wants to bring you home."
The words chilled her.
"Home?"
Marco smiled.
"The empire belongs to your bloodline."
Ayla felt sick.
Zayn forced Marco harder against the ground.
"Where is Lucian?"
Marco looked up.
"He's waiting."
"For what?"
Marco's smile turned darker.
"For her to choose."
Ayla's heart pounded.
Choose?
Choose what?
Before anyone could ask again-
A loud explosion shook the warehouse.
The lights flickered.
Crates crashed.
Smoke filled the air.
Elena shouted from the doorway.
"We need to move now!"
Zayn pulled Marco up by the collar.
"No."
His voice turned ice cold.
"He comes with us."
Ayla stared at Marco.
Her breathing unsteady.
Her world shattered.
She was not just a target.
She was part of the war.
Part of the empire.
And Lucian wanted her back.