Chapter 120 Threads of Deception

Chapter 120 Threads of Deception
Alexander’s grip tightened. "And Tamara? How did you help her escape this morning?"
Rosa was sobbing now. "I received a text early this morning, before anyone woke up, in the text it was indicated she would pay me three hundred thousand dollars if I helped her get out, that I would never have to work as a maid again. I unlocked the transfer corridor door and distracted the guard on duty. I helped her slip out through the service exit. That is all, I swear that is all."
He pulled the second nail completely. Rosa’s scream echoed off the walls, raw and guttural. Blood dripped onto the floor.
Alexander stepped back and wiped the pliers on a cloth. His hands were steady but his eyes burned with cold fury.
"Who contacted you about helping Tamara?" he asked. "Was it Ben? Or someone else?"
Rosa was shaking violently. "I do not know. The text came from an unknown number. No name. Just instructions and the promise of money. I never spoke to anyone directly about Tamara. Only Ben knew about my arrangement with him."
Alexander stared at her for a long moment. Then he walked to the door and opened it. Marcus waited outside.
"Take her out of the estate," Alexander said. "Lock her up in the secure wing. She lives until I decide otherwise."
Marcus dragged the sobbing woman away. Alexander stood in the empty room for a long moment, the scent of blood heavy in the air. The betrayal ran deeper than he had imagined. Someone inside his own house had been feeding information to the enemy for months. Someone who had smiled at Maddie while planning her destruction.
He walked upstairs to his study and poured himself a measure of whiskey. The liquid burned down his throat but did nothing to dull the rage. He called his father.
The line connected on the second ring.
"Father. Is Ben still secured?"
"Yes," his father replied. "Why?"
"I will explain later," Alexander said. "Keep him alive. I will be needing him soon."
He ended the call and stared out the window. Tamara was out there working with Moonthorn. Helping them hunt Maddie. The thought made his wolf howl with fury. The search for Tamara would begin immediately. Every contact, every possible safe house. Every ally she had ever spoken to. He would find her. And when he did she would regret every choice she had made.
He would find her, he would find them all. The hunt had only just begun. And Alexander would not rest until every traitor who had endangered his family was brought to justice.

Alexander gripped the steering wheel tightly as the black SUV sped through the city streets toward the hospital. The morning traffic parted before them as his driver weaved skillfully through the lanes. Marcus sat in the passenger seat reviewing notes on a tablet, his face calm but his eyes sharp. The interrogation of the maid Rosa had left a bitter taste in his mouth. Her confession about helping Tamara escape had only deepened the rage simmering inside him. Someone inside his own house had betrayed him. Someone who had smiled at Maddie while feeding information to the enemy. The thought made his wolf pace restlessly beneath his skin demanding blood.
He had decided to question Rosa’s brother himself. The man was the only other person she had mentioned. If there was any connection to Ben or Tamara he would find it. The hospital was the same one where Maddie’s adopted mother was receiving treatment. The coincidence weighed on him but he pushed it aside. He would visit her briefly after the interrogation. He owed her that much. But he would be careful. She still saw him as Maddie’s stepfather in law. She knew nothing about their relationship or the pregnancy. He would keep it that way. Maddie should be the one to tell her when the time was right.
The SUV pulled up to the hospital entrance. Alexander stepped out into the bright morning sun. Marcus followed closely as they walked through the automatic doors. The lobby smelled of antiseptic and fresh flowers. People moved about their business nurses pushing carts and doctors attending to the patients. No one paid them much attention. Alexander preferred it that way.
They took the elevator to the fourth floor where Rosa’s brother was recovering. Room 412. Alexander pushed the door open without knocking. The man lay in the bed looking frail and pale. Tubes ran from his arms to machines that beeped softly. His eyes widened when he saw Alexander and Marcus enter.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice weak but wary.
Alexander closed the door behind them and walked to the side of the bed. He pulled up a chair and sat down. Marcus stood by the door blocking any exit.
"I am Alexander Blackwood," he said calmly. "Your sister Rosa works in my house. She has been helping Ben Hangrove. She helped Tamara escape this morning. I need to know what you know."
The man’s eyes darted between them. "I do not know anything. Rosa only told me Ben was helping with my bills. I have never met him. I have never met any of you. Please... My sister is a good person. She just wanted to help me."
Alexander leaned forward. He pulled a small syringe from his pocket filled with a clear liquid. He held it up so the man could see it.
"This will make you talk," he said quietly. "It is not lethal but it will make you wish it was. Tell me everything you know about Ben. About Tamara. About any messages your sister received."
The man’s face paled further. "I swear I know nothing. Rosa mentioned Ben a few times. She said he was paying for my treatment because she worked for him indirectly. I never asked questions. I was just grateful. Please... do not hurt her. She only did it for me."
Alexander pressed the syringe against the man’s arm. The needle hovered just above the skin. "You are lying. Tell me the truth or I will inject this and we will see how long you last."
The man started crying. "I am telling the truth. I have never met Ben. I have never met or even know who is Tamara. Rosa said she was doing extra work for extra money. That is all. Please... let my sister go. She is all I have."
Alexander watched him for a long moment. The man’s fear was genuine. His confusion was real. He knew nothing useful. Alexander lowered the syringe and stood up.
"If I find out you are lying," he said coldly, "I will come back. And next time I will not be so gentle."
He turned and walked out of the room. Marcus followed silently. They took the elevator to the oncology wing where Maddie’s adopted mother was staying. Alexander’s steps were measured. He had to be careful. She still saw him as Maddie’s stepfather in law. She knew nothing about their relationship or the pregnancy. He would keep it that way.
He knocked softly on the door and entered. Maddie’s mother lay in the bed looking better than the last time he had seen her but her eyes lit up when she saw him.
.