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133

KANE'S POV

The drop was easy, cleaner than I expected. After all the planning, scheming, and dealing with Vivian’s paranoid demands, handing Zara over to Joel felt like an anticlimax. But I knew better than to underestimate the endgame of a deal like this.

We met in a secluded spot off a dirt road, surrounded by thick trees that offered privacy. Joel pulled up exactly on time, and I could see the eagerness etched into his face the moment he stepped out of his car. His eyes darted toward my SUV, searching for the small figure inside, the one he’d been obsessing over for weeks.

“Here she is,” I said, nodding to the car. “She’s unharmed. I did my part. Now, she’s yours to deal with.”

Joel didn’t bother responding. He moved straight to the back door of my SUV, opening it with a sharp pull. Zara flinched at the sudden noise, her eyes wide as she stared up at him. The little kid had been quiet since I’d picked her up, her fear barely concealed beneath a brave exterior. But now, seeing Joel, she seemed to understand that something was seriously wrong.

“Come on,” he muttered, reaching for her arm. She looked back at me, maybe hoping I’d intervene, but I kept my face impassive. This was none of my business. My job was done.

“Is Mommy coming?” Zara’s voice was small, uncertain, her eyes wide as she looked at Joel.

Joel’s lips twisted into a sneer, but he softened his tone, though it didn’t mask his impatience. “Not yet. We’re going on a little trip first. Now move.”

She hesitated but finally climbed out, clutching the straps of her backpack. Joel gave me a nod, acknowledging the end of our arrangement. “Thanks, Kane. I’ll be on my way now.”

“Just remember what I said,” I replied, keeping my tone calm. “You disappear after this. I want no more messes.”

Joel chuckled, clearly unfazed. “Trust me, once I’m out of here, you’ll never hear from me again.”

I watched as he led Zara to his car, her small figure dwarfed by his frame. She glanced back at me one last time, her eyes holding a hint of fear that almost made me second-guess my choices. But I pushed the thought aside. This was business, nothing more. I had no reason to feel responsible for her.

Once Joel’s car disappeared down the dirt road, I climbed back into my SUV and took a long, deep breath. My part was finished. Vivian had promised a clean deal, but she hadn’t lived to see it through. Now, it was out of my hands. Joel could do whatever he wanted, as long as it didn’t involve me.

I returned to my apartment, poured myself a drink, and settled into the quiet, a sense of satisfaction washing over me. It was a job well done, and the payout was worth every complication. I took a long sip of whiskey, savoring the end of a messy but profitable chapter.

But just as I was starting to unwind, a hard knock sounded at my door. I frowned, the drink pausing halfway to my lips. No one knew I was here, and I hadn’t expected any visitors.

Setting my glass down, I walked to the door and peered through the peephole. My heart skipped a beat as I saw them—Bethany and Damien, standing there, their expressions dark, their eyes steeled with determination.

A knot formed in my stomach, but I kept my face impassive as I opened the door. “Well, this is a surprise. What brings you two here?”

Bethany’s eyes were like daggers as she stared at me, her voice cold and hard. “Where’s Zara?”

I shrugged, keeping my tone nonchalant. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

But Damien wasn’t buying it. He took a step closer, his towering figure looming over me. “Cut the act, Kane. We know you had a hand in this. You’re going to tell us exactly where Zara is, and you’re going to do it now.”

I felt a flicker of irritation at their boldness, but I held my ground, crossing my arms over my chest. “Look, I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but I’ve got nothing to do with your little family drama.”

Bethany’s voice was sharp, laced with a mixture of anger and desperation. “We found Vivian. We know she’s dead. We know you were involved. You’re the last person standing between us and our daughter.”

The words struck a nerve, but I maintained my composure, forcing myself to stay calm. If they knew Vivian was out of the picture, then they understood the stakes—and they wouldn’t be leaving without answers.

I sighed, realizing there was no point in dragging this out. “Fine,” I said, holding up a hand in mock surrender. “I did hand Zara over, but she’s not with me. She’s with Joel.”

Bethany’s face paled, the horror evident in her eyes. “Joel? You gave her to him?”

I shrugged. “He was part of the plan. Vivian set it up, and he picked her up from me earlier today. Said he was leaving the country tonight.”

Damien’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening as he stepped even closer, his voice a dangerous whisper. “Where’s he taking her?”

“Last I heard,” I replied, barely keeping the disdain out of my voice, “he was headed to the airport. Didn’t say more than that, but he’s planning to disappear with her.”

Bethany’s face crumpled, her eyes glistening with a mix of fear and fury. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before meeting my gaze, her voice trembling but filled with resolve. “If anything happens to Zara because of you, I will make sure you pay, Kane.”

I gave her a cold smile, unfazed by her threat. “Good luck with that. This was just business, nothing personal.”

Damien grabbed my collar, his grip iron-strong as he yanked me forward, his eyes blazing with a fury that made my pulse race. “Pray we find her in one piece, Kane. If anything’s happened to her, there won’t be a place on this earth you can hide from me.”

He released me, the force nearly knocking me back, and I watched as they turned and stormed out of my apartment, leaving the door swinging behind them. A part of me almost regretted telling them about Joel, but it was better than having them breathing down my neck.

I closed the door, my heart racing as I leaned against it, trying to steady myself. I’d thought I was done, thought I could walk away unscathed. But their anger, their determination—it unsettled me in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

As I poured myself another drink, I couldn’t shake the image of Bethany’s face, the desperation in her eyes. They’d go after Joel now, and whatever happened next was out of my control. But as I took a long sip, I couldn’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe, I’d misjudged the consequences of this job.

And I had a sinking feeling that I’d see them again—one way or another.

I poured myself another drink, but it didn’t bring the relief I was hoping for. Bethany’s face, her words, her threat—it all lingered like a dark cloud I couldn’t shake. My fingers drummed against the glass, the tension rising in my chest. This job had been a quick way to cash in, a clean deal. But now… it felt like I’d stepped into quicksand, sinking with every decision I made.

With a sigh, I set the glass down, grabbed my jacket, and headed for the door. It was time to vanish, to slip away before Bethany and Damien had a chance to make good on their threats. I had enough connections to disappear, start fresh somewhere far away. They wouldn’t be able to touch me if I was smart about it.

But as I reached the bottom of the stairwell, a shadow moved in the dim light, followed by the unmistakable click of a gun. I froze, my heart pounding as two men stepped into view, blocking my path.

"Going somewhere, Kane?" one of them asked, his voice dripping with cold amusement. He tilted his head, eyes flashing with satisfaction. “Mr. Damien’s got a lot of questions for you. Thought we’d bring you in nice and easy.”

My mind raced, but I could see it was over before I’d even tried to run. I raised my hands slowly, a bitter taste filling my mouth as I realized just how thoroughly I’d been cornered. Bethany and Damien weren’t letting this go, and I was about to face the consequences of a deal gone terribly wrong.

With a nod, one of the men motioned for me to follow. “You made some powerful enemies, Kane. Time to answer for it.”

I sighed knowing fully well my life was about to be miserable.