Chapter 81 Ambitions in chains
ZEUS
The SUV glides through the security checkpoint of the Haven, tinted windows, armored chassis, GPS disabled. The guard at the gate waves us through without a glance. Everything’s been pre-cleared. Everything about this night has been choreographed to feel like a victory.
In the back, Darian is slumped across the seat, wrists zip-tied, head tilted to one side. The tranq hasn’t worn off yet. There’s dried blood at his collar, fresh bruises on his jaw. He looks smaller like this, but heavier somehow. A weight I’ve been dragging for miles.
We pull up to the main building. Two soldiers move in as soon as we stop, opening the door, dragging Darian out like a package.
I straighten my jacket, smoothing invisible creases, rehearsing the look. Father’s men line the hall, silent, expectant. This is the moment. This is where he sees I’ve delivered.
Father is at the far end of the corridor, standing in front of the throne, conversing with Alpha Conan. They raise their heads, eyes meeting mine as I stride in.
I nod to the soldiers. “Bring him forward.”
They push Darian to his knees. His head lolls, unconscious. Perfect.
I step ahead, a practiced smile at the edge of my mouth. “We’ve got him. Just like you wanted.”
Father turns. His expression is flat, unreadable. “Who asked you to bring him back?”
For a second I think I misheard. “Excuse me?”
“Who asked you,” he repeats, “to bring him back?”
I blink. “You did. Everyone did. Since he managed to escape last night, you’ve been tearing this place apart for him. You said every unit needed to be on him-”
“I said,” Father cuts me off, “that I wanted him back. I did not say you should be the one.”
I let out a short, incredulous laugh. “You’ve been barking orders at everyone, checking in every hour. You practically shoved the mission into my hands. What the hell is this?”
He gives alpha Conan a look, and the latter nods, walking away immediately.
Father steps closer, his shoes silent on the polished floor. “I wanted you to feel that way.”
My jaw tightens. “Feel what way?”
“Like it was your mission.”
I stare at him. “It was my mission. You made it my mission.”
He tilts his head slightly. “I made it look like that. What I wanted was to follow him. To see where he’d lead me. To see if he’d go to Iris.”
“Iris?” The name punches out of me before I can stop it. “You wanted him to lead you to Iris.”
“Yes.”
“You… You planned to let him run.” My voice is climbing now. “You used me. You set me up to drag him back when you wanted him loose.”
Damn. Apparently, my father and I had the same plan, with different aims and I am not about to admit that to him out loud.
So, im going to play the victim card here, make it seem like I was innocently used.
Father exhales through his nose, calm, measured. “You’re angry because you weren’t included. That’s all this is.”
“Why wasn’t I included?” My hands spread, helpless and furious at the same time. “Why wouldn’t you tell me the plan? I’ve done everything you asked. Everything. And you still…”
“I don’t trust you,” he says plainly.
The words hit harder than I expect. For a second I can’t even respond. I’ve obeyed every command blindly, well, not exactly blindly, but I’ve made it seem that way.
I’ve played my cards right and I know for certain that father isn’t suspecting me, otherwise this conversation would have gone many ways south by now.
Then, I repeat, “You don’t trust me?”
“I don’t,” he says. “Not enough to give you the real plan. Not enough to risk my chance at getting to Iris because of you.”
Is this because I initially disagreed to killing Iris for him?
I laugh again, but it’s harsh this time. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been your cleanup guy, your fixer, your shadow for years. I’ve run every errand, taken every order. And you’re standing here telling me you don’t trust me?”
He shrugs. “You’ve always done what I asked, outwardly. But inwardly?” His eyes narrow. “I know how you think, Zeus. You’re not loyal. You’re patient. You’re ambitious. I don’t gamble on ambition.”
He’s catching on to me and I need to think of a way to flip this over, fast.
“You think I’m stupid enough to jeopardize you? To jeopardize this?”
“I think you’re exactly the kind of man who would if the opportunity looked right.”
My voice drops, low and sharp. “I’ve done everything you wanted. Everything.”
He glances at his watch, already bored with the argument. “I don’t have time for this. We need to move forward. We still need to find Iris.”
He looks past me to the soldiers. “Take Darian to his old room. Chain him to the bed. Make sure he stays put.”
The soldiers hesitate, glancing at me for confirmation. I don’t move.
Father turns and starts walking toward his office. I step after him. “I want in on the plan.”
He doesn’t stop. “No.”
“I said I want in.” My footsteps echo behind his. “You don’t trust me? Fine. But give me the chance to prove myself. I’m not just your errand boy. I brought him back. I can do more.”
He stops then, halfway to his door. Turns. Looks at me. The city lights flare behind his head like a halo of neon.
“You want in?” he asks softly.
“Yes.”
“One chance.”
I nod. “I’ll take it.”
He steps closer, voice dropping. “You screw it up, I screw you up. You understand me?”
The threat is clinical, no raised voice, just flat and certain. He means it.
“I understand.”
“Good.” He turns away again, already done. “Now get out of my way.”
I stand there for a beat, fists curling and uncurling at my sides. In the corner of my vision, the soldiers drag Darian down the hall, his feet scraping against the floor, chains rattling.
Father disappears into his office, door sliding shut behind him with a hiss. The sound is soft, but it feels like a gunshot.
I exhale, forcing my face back into neutral. One chance. He thinks he can use me like a pawn. Fine. Let him. Pawns can still reach the other side of the board.
I follow the soldiers, eyes on Darian’s limp body, and start planning my next move.
“