Then what

Then what
Hera POV
No." I cut her off firmly.

"No exchanges, Helena.
I want to see Lily safe and walking free. Don't think about playing tricks or you can kiss your daughter goodbye." I warn.

"What if I don't bring the brat?" Helena snaps back but there is desperation in her voice, cracking through the tough act. "What then?"

I lean into the phone, my heart pounding but my words ice-cold.
"You have nowhere to run, Helena. Your backup Finn is already in my hands.The cops are swarming the Jackals as we speak. If you don't follow my instructions, I'll hunt you down myself.

I'll give you a slow and torturous death.And Fiona? I'll sell her to the highest bidder in some back-alley sex club after telling her who you really are to her and how you chose your pride over her life." I issue the threat, followed by a hollow laughter meant to intimidate Helena.
I don't want to be this person, but for Lily and Mason, I will become whatever I have to.

The line goes dead with a click. I stare at the phone, my chest heaving. My hands shake as I set it down, the adrenaline crash hitting me hard. Rage, fear and triumph swirl together, making my eyes burn. Did I go too far? Maybe. But Lily's worth it. Everything's worth it.

Mason watches me, his face a mix of awe and worry. "You think she will do it? Bring Lily back?"

I nod and force a steady breath. "She has to. She can't lose Fiona. That's her lifeline. She gets monetary support from Fiona's secret daddy. Whoever he is, he is loaded and she has been bleeding him dry for years."

Justin discovered trails of money being deposited to her account from around twenty years ago.
It matches the same time Fiona was born so we pierced the pieces together.
Helena is not just a traitor; she is a user. She has been using her daughter to collect money from her father and not even acknowledging her as her daughter. How cruel.

Mason exhales, running a hand over his face. "Christ, Hera. You're something else." There's pride in his voice again, but underneath, exhaustion. The lines around his eyes are deeper and his shoulders slumped from the weight of it all.

I head to the kitchenette, passing the guards who aren't showing any sign of waking up.

I pour myself a glass of wine, needing the drink to keep me grounded.
The red liquid swirls, deep and dark, like the mess we are stuck in. I take a sip, letting the sharp stimulate me. It burns going down but I welcome it, a reminder that I'm still here, still fighting to sort everything out.

The phone rings again before I can even set the glass down. I jump, nearly spilling the drink.
My heart leaps into my throat. Chloe's name flashes on the screen. Relief floods me. I answer quickly and put it on speaker so Mason can hear.

"Hera?" Chloe's voice comes through, breathless.

“ Chloe , how are you? Where are you?”

Chloe chuckles, the sound of her chuckles making relief wash through me.

"I'm okay. Some guys in uniforms said they were cops and pulled me out. They saved me. I'm heading home now."

"Oh, thank God," I breathe, sagging against the counter. Emotions crash over me, joy for her but it's mixed with the lingering fear for Lily.

Chloe's been through hell because of Finn, and hearing her safe... it eases something in my chest. "You hang in there, okay? Get some rest." I inform her.

“ No,I can't. Finn said he would kidnap Lily as a safety measure. He plans to use her to force Mason. Hera, you have to go to Lily and keep her safe.” Chloe rumbles.

I sigh, rubbing my temple. The wine glass feels heavy in my hand. "One of his minions did it, yeah. But we're on it. Working to get her back right now."

Chloe's quiet for a moment.
"I'm coming over. I want to help. Whatever you need."

"No," I say gently but firm.

“ Everything is getting handled. Go get some rest. You've been through a lot.” I insist. Truth is, I'll be more assured if she didn't get involved. Who knows, Finn might have other goons lurking in the dark and waiting to find an opening to use it to secure their boss. Besides, everything is almost coming to an end eventually. She also deserves to rest, getting kidnapped by Finn doesn't sound like a walk in the pack.

"You sure?" Her voice wavers. I can feel the worry in her voice and it warms my heart.
"Positive. I'll see you later after I wrap everything up here.” I assure her.

We hang up,
and I pocket the phone, turning back to Mason. He's watching me with that same mix of emotions on his face.

"Chloe is safe," I say and his shoulders drop a fraction. "One less fire to put out."

He nods, crossing the room to pull me into his arms. I lean into him, the wine forgotten on the counter. His heartbeat thuds against my ear. It's steady and real. "You're holding us together," he murmurs into my hair. "I don't say it enough, but... thank you."

"You think Raven's got Fiona secure? Nothing will happen? Those two don't get along well." Mason asks, stopping to look at me. His eyes are red-rimmed. It's like he hasn't slept in days.

"Yeah," I say, forcing confidence.

" Raven can take care of Fiona and you know her, she would never hurt Fiona no matter what.” I say. That's the truth but inside, guilt twists.

Fiona is just a pawn, just like Lily is to Helena.
Two innocent souls getting caught up in grown-up games. I hate it. I hate being the villain in her story. But Helena started this. She dragged innocents into the dirt.

“ I hope we can all get out of this unscathed.” Mason murmurs and I nod. I can't agree any less.
Taking down Finn and his gang isn't a walk in the pack but so far, we have everything under control.

“ I am worried about Zero the most.” I confess. Mason kisses my hair, tightening his hold on me.

“ He is one of the best Shadow Riders has. I believe he will be fine.” He replies.

I smile, willing to believe that.