Chapter 229

Chapter 229
SEAN

Noah was missing. Those three words sent ice through my veins as I raced through the hospital corridors.

"Any suspicious visitors this morning?" I demanded, scanning Noah's empty crib.

The head nurse shook her head. "Only Dr. Cole and the morning shift nurses until we discovered he was missing at 8 AM."

Cole pulled me aside, his expression grave. "Sean, Lucas came by the clinic early this morning."

My head snapped toward him. "What time?"

"Around 6:30 AM. Said he wanted to discuss some last-minute concerns about the bone marrow donation. Asked to see Noah."

"And you just let him?" I growled.

"He's the donor, Sean! And your oldest friend. How was I supposed to know—"

"Show me the security footage. Now."

As we watched the morning footage revealing Lucas walking in through the main entrance at 6:27 AM and leaving with what appeared to be my son at 7:15 AM, my phone rang. Eve.

"Sean," her voice tight with panic. "Lucas is gone. I woke up and he wasn't in the house."

"Eve, listen carefully. Come to Cole's clinic immediately. Noah's missing."

"What? How—"

"Security footage shows someone who looks like Lucas taking him this morning."

Silence, then a sharp intake of breath. "I'm on my way."

Fifteen minutes later, Eve burst through the clinic doors, her face pale, hair disheveled. She'd clearly rushed over without bothering to fix herself up.

"Show me everything," she demanded.

I pulled up the security footage. She watched without blinking, hands clenched at her sides.

"I woke up and he wasn't in the house. I assumed he'd left early for pre-donation tests," she said slowly.

"He received treatment from Ashley last night," I confirmed.

Eve's eyes narrowed, studying the footage again. "Sean, what if this Lucas isn't real?"

"What do you mean?"

"Remember when Black Eagle impersonated you to trick Julie? What if they're doing the same with Lucas?" She paced the room, thinking out loud. "Lucas and Noah's bone marrow matching perfectly gave someone leverage. They either needed Lucas cooperative or out of the way."

"You think Lucas himself has been kidnapped too?"

Eve nodded. "They're using him as a pawn, just like they used Julie. Meanwhile, someone's shorting SkyEve stock, creating market panic, making sure you're distracted from all sides."

My phone buzzed. Aria.

"Boss, surveillance caught a man matching Lucas's description boarding a yacht in Ocean City with what looked like a child. Timestamp shows it was about 45 minutes ago."

"Send coordinates. Tell Sebastian to prepare a team. Don't approach until I arrive."

I hung up, turning to Eve. "They're on a yacht in Ocean City."

"Ocean City," she repeated softly. "Where I jumped into the sea."

My phone rang again. Unknown number.

"Winters," I answered sharply.

A distorted mechanical voice responded. "Missing something precious?"

My grip tightened. "If you hurt my son—"

"Bring Eve Carter to Ocean City Marina, Pier 9, within two hours. Alone. Your son for your wife. Fair trade."

The call ended.

Eve watched my face. "What did they say?"

"They want to trade. Noah for you."

She didn't even hesitate. "Then we go."

"No way in hell I'm putting you in danger."

"This isn't up for debate," Eve snapped, her eyes flashing. "I know things about Xavier you don't. I might be our only chance at getting Noah back alive."

"They'll kill you."

"And they'll kill Noah if we don't show up." She stepped closer, her voice steady. "I'm not losing our son too. I'm going, Sean. Either with you or without you."

Standing there watching her, I remembered exactly why I'd fallen for her all those years ago. That fierce determination. That unwavering courage even when scared shitless.

"We do this together," I finally said. "But you follow my lead."

"Always the control freak," she muttered, but her lips curved slightly.

Ninety minutes later, our boat approached the gleaming white yacht anchored at Ocean City Marina. Eve stood beside me, her shoulder occasionally brushing against mine.

"Stay behind me," I murmured as we climbed aboard.

"I can handle myself," she replied, but her hand gripped mine tightly.

The yacht seemed deserted. We moved silently across the main deck until I heard it—Noah's cry from above us.

Eve tensed. "He's alive."

"Stay here," I whispered, drawing my gun.

"Not happening." She pulled out her own weapon from her ankle holster.

I raised an eyebrow.

"What? You think I'd come unprepared?" She gave me a tight smile. "I've been taking care of myself for a long time, Sean."

We climbed toward the second level. Eve suddenly froze, looking upward.

Julie stood on the upper deck, cradling a bundle in her arms. Beside her stood a man wearing a mask—my face.

"Look who finally showed up," Julie called down. "Want your baby back? Give me Eve."

"You poisoned my son," I snarled, aiming my gun.

The masked man aimed his rifle at Eve. "Drop it, Winters, or she dies first."

Eve stepped forward. "Julie, you've been played. That man beside you isn't Sean. They're using you."

Julie laughed maniacally. "Shut your mouth! You ruined everything! Logan doesn't want me anymore, I've got nothing left! It's all because of you, you stuck-up bitch!!"

"Want this kid?" Julie squeezed Noah, making him cry louder. "Kill Eve yourself, and he's yours."

I felt rage burning inside me. "Let my son go. Now."

"Prove you mean it," Julie demanded. "Shoot her!"

I turned to Eve, our eyes meeting. Without words, a plan formed between us. I lunged forward, grabbing Eve and pressing my gun to her temple.

"She means nothing," I said coldly. "A woman can be replaced. My son can't."

Eve struggled, playing her part perfectly. "You backstabbing asshole!"

Julie's face lit up with sick satisfaction. "I knew it! I knew you'd choose right!"

"Send the masked man away," I demanded. "Just you and me."

The masked man leaned toward Julie. "He's tricking you. Don't listen."

"Shut up!" Julie shoved him away. "He's chosen his son over her. I win."

I pushed Eve to her knees, gun still against her head. "Last chance, Julie."

Julie lowered her weapon, smirking triumphantly.

I pulled the trigger. Click. Empty chamber.

My left hand drew my backup weapon in the same instant, firing once. The bullet hit Julie between the eyes.

Sebastian's shot from the upper deck took down the masked man simultaneously.

Eve scrambled up, rushing to take the bundle from Julie's falling arms. She unwrapped it, then looked up at me, horror in her eyes.

"It's not Noah," she whispered, voice breaking. "It's her own baby. She used her own child as bait."

An explosion rocked the yacht. Black smoke billowed from the top deck.

"Sean!" Sebastian shouted through my earpiece. "Xavier was spotted the top deck! He has Noah!"

"Go," Eve pushed me. "Aria and I will handle the fire. Find our son!"

I raced upward, gun drawn. Through the smoke, I caught a glimpse of Xavier's smile before he disappeared around a corner.

"Excellent performance, my star pupil," his voice echoed. "But this game is just beginning."