Chapter 102 Finally

Chapter 102 Finally
Anna's POV

I waited until the guards had moved far enough away before turning my full attention to Cole.

He stood with his hands bound behind his back, his shoulders tense, his breathing uneven. "Cole."

He looked up. "Yes, ma'am?"

I studied his face carefully. "What did you do that made Xavier this angry?"

His eyes widened. "I don't know. I swear, I don't."

He looked terrified. Not nervous.

I folded my arms. "If you haven't done anything wrong, why are you so scared?"

He swallowed. "Because..." His voice cracked. "...because I think the Don is going to kill me."

I held his gaze. "I understand being afraid."

"But we both know Xavier doesn't kill people without a reason."

"So either you've done something..."

"...or there's a misunderstanding somewhere."

Cole shook his head vigorously. "I haven't betrayed him. I've served him faithfully for years. If anything, I've been one of his most loyal men."

His answer came too quickly. Too rehearsed.

Something about it unsettled me.

Whether he was lying or simply panicking, I couldn't tell.

I sighed. "If you're telling me the truth... I'll speak to Xavier."

Hope immediately filled his eyes. "You'd do that for me?"

"Yes."

His shoulders visibly relaxed. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

I nodded once before turning away.

Even as I walked back toward the mansion, I couldn't shake the feeling that Cole was hiding something.

Whether it was guilt or simply fear, I didn't know.

Without wasting further time, I went inside the mansion. If Xavier was back, I needed to see him.

The mansion was quieter than usual.

Servants moved through the halls with practiced efficiency while guards stood at every entrance.

I stopped one of them. "Is Xavier back?"

The guard bowed. "No, ma'am. He hasn't returned yet."

I nodded. "Thank you."

Pulling out my phone, I dialed Xavier's number.

It rang, and rang but no answer.

I ended the call with an irritated sigh.

Almost immediately, my phone vibrated.

Xavier was calling back.

I answered. "Where are you?"

His voice came through calm as ever. "On my way back."

I didn't waste time. "Why didn't you tell me you were detaining Cole?"

There was a brief silence.

Then he chuckled. "You didn't tell me you were going to see him. So I don't see why I'm obligated to explain my plans to you."

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, Xavier, you left me in charge. The least you could've done was tell me what was going on."

"I ended up praising him for his loyal service. I probably looked like a complete fool."

He laughed quietly. "We'll talk later, sweetie. I have to go."

"Don't hang up. I'm not finished."

But the line went dead.

I stared at the phone. "He actually hung up on me." I let out an annoyed hiss. "Unbelievable."

"Talking to yourself?"

I turned.

Lilly was standing a few steps behind me with a small smile.

I slipped the phone into my pocket. "Nothing. I was just talking to Xavier."

"He said he's on his way?" she asked.

"I think so."

Lilly nodded. "You should get some rest."

I shook my head. "No, there's something important we need to discuss."

Her expression became serious. "I'm listening."

I lowered my voice. "Cole told me Zack wants to make Parkview his primary territory. He believes Zack is planning to attack Xavier's operations there."

Lilly frowned. "Cole manages that territory."

"I know, which is exactly why I think we should take what he said seriously."

She thought about it for a moment. "I'll tell the Don or perhaps Cole can tell him himself."

I wasn't convinced. "What if Xavier already believes Cole betrayed him? He may not listen."

Lilly nodded slowly. "In that case, you'd probably have a better chance of convincing him."

"That's all I wanted to say."

"Good."

"I'll remember it."

Before either of us could continue, my phone rang again.

This time, it was Serena calling.

I excused myself. "If you'll excuse me."

Lilly nodded and walked away.

I answered the call. "Serena?"

Her voice was low and urgent. "Zack just arrived in Parkview."

I straightened immediately. "What?"

"I have footage of him from a spy inside one of his clubs in that area."

My pulse quickened. "So Cole was telling the truth."

"Looks like it. His information helped narrow our surveillance. And we finally found Zack."

A smile slowly spread across my face. "Finally, now we can end this."

There was a pause.

Then Serena asked, "So what's your plan? Are you telling Xavier?"

I looked toward the front gates of the mansion. "No, I'm not telling him."

"Why not? Xavier might help a great deal."

"Xavier is too noisy, If he moves against Zack, half the city will hear about it. I'm doing this myself. So I'll go alone."

Serena didn't answer immediately. When she finally spoke, her tone was cautious. "Anna... Zack's security is almost impossible to penetrate. It'll be like walking into a fortress."

I smiled despite myself. "That's exactly why the agency chose me." Then I added quietly, "Either Zack dies tonight or I do."

Serena let out a slow breath. "I was hoping you wouldn't say that."

"I mean it."

"I know."

Another pause. Then her voice softened. "Farewell, soldier. And be careful."

"I will."

"Good luck." The call ended.

I lowered the phone and stood motionless in the middle of the hallway.

I expected fear.

Instead... I felt something else. I felt Excited.

Pure, dangerous excitement.

This was the mission I'd been preparing for ever since I accepted my assignment.

I closed my eyes for a brief second before opening them again.

There was only one problem.

Getting out of Xavier's mansion unnoticed.

If I walked out the front door, his guards would insist on escorting me.

If they followed me to Parkview, the mission would be compromised before it even began.

I needed a distraction.

A believable reason to leave.

Something that would keep every pair of eyes looking in the wrong direction while I slipped away.

I took a slow breath.

Then I began planning my escape.