Who knows

Who knows
Zero POV

I step out of Justin's place, the steel door clicking shut behind me. I grab my gun from the shelf, slide the clip back in, and tuck it into my waistband. My bike waits in the shadows.

As I swing my leg over and rev it to life, Justin's last words loop in my mind, over and over, like a broken record I can't shut off.

"A similar mask was being auctioned in the black market, but not as advanced."

Not as advanced. That means someone took a basic piece of tech and turned it into a weapon. They customized it.

It's clear that whoever's behind this isn't some street thug.

They're smart, with resources.

You would need a lot of money to get someone with skills to mod it into something that jams signals.

My grip tightens on the handlebars as I peel out into the crowded streets.

My mind is filled with countless questions.

Who could pull this off? Someone from the Luca family, like Justin said? Or deeper, someone in the headquarters playing both sides?

The accident wasn't random, it was a setup, it was their first message to us. That they are coming after us. But where does Hera come in? She is not one of us or did she get pulled in the whole revenge mess just because she is dating Mason?

Why was she being followed by that masked man? If he is after Shadow Riders, then why follow Hera?

So many questions but no answers.

But one thing is for sure, Who ever the person is, I'll uncover them and remind them what happens when you mess with my family.

The ride back to the clubhouse feels endless, even though the streets finally disappear and I hit the outskirts. My heart pounds harder with adrenaline mixing and anger bubbling under my skin.

By the time I pull up outside the clubhouse, my knuckles ache from clenching the grips. The place looks quiet from outside—faded graffiti on the walls, a single light flickering over the door. But as I kill the engine, I hear voices echoing from the main room, sharp and heated.

I push through the door, and the scene hits me like a punch. Chloe and Fiona stand face-to-face in the center of the room, guns drawn and pointed straight at each other's chests.

For a moment, my heart drops.

Chloe's face is flushed, her eyes red and swollen like she has been crying.

Her finger hovers too close to the trigger while Fiona looks calmer, her jaw is set and eyes narrowed.

Raven leans against the far wall, arms crossed, watching like it's some twisted show.

She doesn't move, just raises an eyebrow when he sees me.

"What the hell is going on?" I bark, striding forward. My voice cuts through the tense atmosphere but neither of them lower their weapon.

“ They are throwing accusations against each other and I don't dare get in between. I refuse to be collateral damage.” Raven finally answers.

I glare at her. “ So you leave them to kill each other?” I ask and she shrugs.

“ They wouldn't dare.”

Chloe's gaze flickers to me, her chest heaving. "This bitch knows something about Hera. I swear she does."

The murderous look on her face tells me that she has considered shooting Fiona.

Fiona doesn't flinch.

“ So what if I do?” She snarls back. I feel anger and desperation in her voice.

I step between them,"both of you, lower the guns. Now." I lock eyes with Chloe first. Her lips tremble, tears glistening at the corners. She's breaking, I can see it. Slowly, she drops her arm, the barrel pointing at the floor.

Fiona follows a second later, but she holsters hers with a scoff, like the whole thing bores her.

I turn to Raven. "What started this? How did things get to this point? I left you in charge here."

She pushes off the wall, shrugging like it's no big deal.

"Chloe's said something about checking on Fiona. She took a glass of juice to Fiona's room. The next thing, the two started fighting with Chloe accusing Fiona of knowing something about Hera's disappearance. Things escalated to what you found." She explains.

“ Of course this bitch knows.” Chloe snarls, glaring at Fiona who looks unbothered.

I face Chloe, keeping my voice even. "Why Fiona? What makes you think she knows anything?"

Chloe's face twists, anger flashing hot. She jabs a finger at Fiona.

"I caught her talking to someone. I told her to be careful and not inform anyone about what's happening. Then she muttered something about Mason and Hera deserving what they got.”

Fiona rolls her eyes, crossing her arms.

"Is that true? Do you know something we don't, Fiona?” I ask, careful not to sound like I am accusing her. Chloe could be wrong, overwhelmed by Hera's disappearance so I can't afford to be biased.

Fiona meets my stare, her voice cool but edged.

“ You tell me,Zero. Is there something everyone else knows except me?” She asks, her gaze sharp.

I flinch but manage to school my emotions.

“ What makes you think so?”

Fiona chuckles albeit bitterly.

“ I know what my aunt was. A traitor. I also know that she kidnapped Lily and you all got rid of her and lied on my face, making a fool out of me.”

Chloe explodes, lunging forward. I grab her arm, holding her back.

“ Since you know, you should be able to realise that Helena started it! She betrayed the club first, sold you out. Why the hell would you go after Hera for that?”

Fiona laughs, but her eyes harden.

"Me? You think I have the power to scheme something like that? To take down Hera and Mason? Please. I'm not that powerful. But yeah, I am glad someone did it. I am not surprised at all. Those two have stepped on too many throats over the years. Offended way too many people. Whoever kills by the sword dies by the sword. Karma's a bitch, isn't it?"

Fiona's mouth is like a snake spitting venom.

I clench my hands tightly, the urge to slam them somewhere overwhelming. But I manage to control myself.

The words hang in the air, heavy and poisonous. Chloe strains against my grip, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "You little bitch.” She curses.

"Enough!" I snap, pulling Chloe back harder. My own anger surges, hot in my veins. Fiona's words sting because they are half-true. We have all got blood on our hands. Shadow Riders isn't clean – Justin's revelations made that clear. But hearing it thrown in our faces like this? It twists something inside me. I release Chloe but stay between them, my fists clenched.

"Fiona, if you know something about what happened to them, spit it out. Now."

She shakes her head, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"I said I don't know shit. I wish I did, so I could thank them. But no. I'm just saying what's obvious.

It seems like you all deviated at some point and someone is cleaning house.

Your precious leaders got caught in the fire."

My eyes narrow at her words.

“ What's that supposed to mean?” I ask and Fiona’s lips curl into a smirk.

“ My aunt told me that the hit on the Luca family was not from the headquarters. I am left wondering, did your VP get bought and the Luca's are finally seeking revenge?”

She says, then gives me a meaningful glance.

“ Don't tell me you didn't know,Zero.” She is smiling, like she knows I know but how? I just learnt it from Justin not long ago. Could Chloe be right? That Fiona is in bed with the enemy?

“ I just learnt about it today.” I confess. Raven's face darkens.

“ We got fooled?” She asks and I nod.

“ Regretfully, yes. Someone sent that order. It was not from the head office.” I reply.

Raven takes a step back, mortified.

“ That doesn't make sense. Everything was as usual, the stamp too” she argues.

“ Someone from headquarters probably set us up to eliminate the Luca's then take the fall for it.”

That's the speculation Justin and I came up with.

“ That means Hera was dragged down by Mason?” Chloe finally asks.

“ Who knows. She is not a saint herself.” Fiona fires back.