"When do we make our move?" she asked, letting some excitement creep into her voice.

Maksim gave a small smile. "Soon."

Selina pouted, actually pouted like a kid who was disappointed. "That’s not really an answer, darling."

"It’s the only answer you’re going to get right now," Maksim said, his tone making it clear the topic was done.

Selina let her fingers slide across his forearm, light and teasing. "You don’t trust me, huh?"

"I trust no one," Maksim shot back plainly, no emotion in his voice. "Not even you, gorgeous Selina."

He said it without any anger, just pure, cold truth.

For a second, Selina’s expression showed a flicker of hurt before she replaced it with a sultry smile. "Ouch, that stings."

"No, it doesn’t." But Maksim was grinning now, clearly entertained.

Viktor cleared his throat and switched to business mode. "What’s happening with the weapons shipment?"

"Coming in tomorrow night," Maksim responded, sitting up straight. "Standard load, assault rifles, handguns, ammo, plus three RPGs and four sniper rifles with scopes. And don’t forget the special package from our pals in Berlin."

"What’s in the special package?" Selina asked, her curiosity evident.

Maksim looked at her. "Stuff that goes kaboom."

"Explosives?"

"Among other things."

Viktor pulled out a tablet, scrolling through the details. "What about the men?"

"Forty soldiers ready to go," Maksim said. "All trained, loyal, and ready to fight if they need to."

Selina studied the maps spread out on the table. One showed Hazard King’s tower in detail, and another displayed the nearby streets with escape routes marked in different colors.

"You’re planning to hit HK’s tower head-on," she remarked. "That’s crazy."

"That’s the element of surprise," Maksim countered, his eyes gleaming. "Everyone expects stealth, infiltration, a quiet knife in the night. No one thinks you’ll just storm in with a full-on assault."

Selina had to admit, even if reluctantly, that he had a point. Hazard King’s tower was built like a fortress, with multiple layers of security, reinforced walls, and panic rooms, the whole deal. But all of that was meant to stop sneaky infiltration, not a full military charge.

"What about Lunel?" she asked cautiously.

Maksim’s whole vibe changed. His face got serious, looking focused in a way that was kind of scary.

"Lunel is our main goal," he said. "Nothing else matters."

"Capture her, not kill her," Selina agreed.

"Exactly. Lunel is worth way more alive than dead, as leverage against Hazard King, as bait to draw him out, as protection if Alpha ever decides to make the first move."

Viktor checked out the security plans for the penthouse. "What about the perimeter?"

Selina jumped in before Maksim could answer. "Tighten it up. Double the guards at every entry point, the front door, the service entrance, and the rooftop access. I want cameras watching all the time with no blind spots. And make sure the panic room is fully stocked and ready to go."

Viktor looked at Maksim for a nod. Maksim agreed.

"Do what she says," he ordered.

Selina felt a wave of satisfaction. She could be useful. She could earn his trust, get him to rely on her, and make him think she was essential.

Then, when the right moment came, and Leo showed up for her, she’d take this whole operation down.

Maksim moved in closer, raising his hand to her face and tilting her chin up so she had to look him in the eye.

"You’re really good at this," he said quietly, sounding almost impressed.

"Good at what?" Selina kept her tone light and innocent.

"Playing the game. Pretending. Being whatever you need to be to get by."

Selina held his gaze without backing down. "Learned from the best."

"Your mom?"

"Alpha," she corrected. "Alpha Dark taught me that to survive, you need to adapt. Be what people need you to be, and they’ll never suspect what’s really underneath."

Maksim studied her face for a while before breaking into a slow, dangerous smile. "Smart girl."

He let go of her and turned back to Viktor. "I want the men ready to move in six hours, no more, no less. When I give the word, we’ll hit HK’s tower fast and hard before he even knows what’s happening."

"Got it, sir."

"And Viktor?"

"Yeah?"

"If anyone messes up or even looks like they’re doubting or being disloyal—" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"I’ll deal with it myself," Viktor said, his voice cold and flat.

Maksim nodded, feeling pleased.

He glanced back at the maps, following the route from the penthouse to Hazard King’s tower across the city with his finger.

"Soon," he said quietly, mostly to himself. "Hazard King is going down. Lunel will be mine. And Alpha will finally get that I’m not his dog to control. I’m not his puppet or partner. I’m his superior."

Selina watched him and thought, If I had a magic wand, you would all just vanish. All of you. Alpha, Maksim, everyone who’s ever used me or hurt the people I care about.

But she kept her attractive smile on and said, "I can’t wait to see you take them down, darling. It’s going to be amazing."

And Maksim totally bought it.

Because Selina was just that good at faking it.

*****

Emma was sitting by herself at the dining table, spinning noodles on her fork.

The house was way too quiet; it had been like this all day.

She checked the clock on the wall, 7:34 PM. Alexander still wasn’t back.

He had never done this before.

In twenty-three years, Alexander had always woken her up, made her breakfast, and driven her to campus. He could be overprotective to the point of being annoying sometimes, but it made her feel safe, loved, and important.

This morning, when she got up and wandered into the dining room, still half-asleep, he was already gone.

Her breakfast was the only thing sitting on the table, scrambled eggs perfectly plated, toast, fresh fruit, and a note.

A handwritten note on paper.

Not even a text.

Emma picked up the note, her hands slightly shaking with confusion and hurt.