Chapter 230: The Man Who Saved Her in the Forest

"I was keeping tabs on her," Charles admitted. "Liam had already told Azalea that Ayla lives alone and that Aylin is a hacker who stays far away from home. When I heard she was back in Turkey, I realized Alpha was after her, and I knew she was with Ayla. I also figured both of them were in danger. Then they got kidnapped, Alpha took them both."

Zayden’s jaw tightened. "So how did you find her again in the forest?"

"Liam was tracking Ayla with the chip," Charles explained.

Aylin’s eyes widened slightly, remembering.

Charles continued, "The chip Liam put in was hidden in Ayla’s earrings. Luckily, she had them on. Liam and a couple of guards came to save both of you. Ayla got shot, so you all rushed her to the hospital. But the Alpha guys were still coming after you. At the hospital, you left Ayla alone because the Alpha was only after you; he specifically wanted Aylin. Then you guys bolted toward the woods from the back of the hospital. I was watching the whole thing."

"You were there?" Aylin asked quietly.

"Liam asked me to stick with Ayla," Charles explained. "I wasn’t in her room, but I stayed close to make sure she was safe. The next day, they all came back, but you didn’t, Aylin. Liam told me you had split from them, and the Alpha guys were still hunting you down."

"So you trailed me into the woods," Aylin said.

"Yep," Charles replied, looking at Aylin. "I was actually planning to take revenge on Marcus through you."

Aylin’s chest tightened. He really would have used me.

"I searched for you in that forest for two days. Then I found a cabin and saw you with a man, with Zayden. But at night, when I saw you were alone and were about to go into the cabin—"

The room fell silent.

"Then I spotted them," Charles continued. "Two armed Alpha men on the hunt for you. I realized that if I let them take you out, I’d never get the answers I was looking for. I’d never know why Marcus had supposedly turned on me."

"So you stepped in to save me instead," Zayden said.

"I shot the first man," Charles said. "I took him down before he even realized what was happening. The second one turned around, and I hit him in the shoulder. They both ran off, and I let them go."

Aylin was looking at him in disbelief. "You saved my life, Uncle Charles."

"I wasn’t being noble," Charles admitted quietly. "I just wanted answers. But I couldn’t let those men kill you."

But he still chose not to let me die.

"You still saved me," Aylin insisted.

Charles nodded. "After that, you disappeared again. I lost track of you. I didn’t know where you went or if you were okay. It wasn’t until recently that I found out through Azalea that you were back in the country."

Aylin stood up and walked over to Charles. She bent down and hugged him again. "Thanks. For saving me, even if your reasons were selfish. Thank you."

Charles hugged her back. "You don’t have to thank me."

"Yes, I do," Aylin said. "And I’m sorry. For everything Alexander did to you. For all those lost years. For the pain you felt thinking my dad was responsible."

"That wasn’t your fault," Charles said firmly.

"And chasing me wasn’t your fault either," Aylin responded.

They locked eyes, and a mutual understanding passed between them.

Finally, Charles smiled. "Your mom would be so proud of you."

Aylin smiled back, tears in her eyes. "And your son—" she pointed to Liam, "—is an amazing man. You did a great job raising him."

Charles looked at Liam with a huge sense of pride. "He’s way better than I ever was."

"That’s not true," Liam shot back right away.

"It is," Charles insisted. "You picked the right side, even when it was tough. Even when it meant going against me. That takes guts."

Leo jumped in again. "This is super sweet, but can we get to the part where we decide what to do next?"

"Leo," Zayden warned lightly.

"What? I’m just saying. We’ve got Charles, Azalea, Black Panther, William, and new info on Alexander and Alpha. We need a plan."

"He’s got a point," Azalea added. She had been pretty quiet, just watching everything happen. "We have the proof. We’ve got people on the inside. We need to figure out how to use it."

Zayden nodded. "For sure. But first—" he turned to Charles, "—are you all in? No holding back?"

Charles didn’t think twice. "Definitely."

"Even if it means going against Alexander? Facing off with Alpha?"

"Especially since it means standing up to them," Charles said, his voice steady. "They ruined my life. They set me up and made me waste years on hate and revenge. I want them to pay."

"Then welcome to the team," Zayden said.

Charles gave a nod in response.

Liam looked at his dad. "So, you’re staying?"

"I’m not going anywhere," Charles promised.

Liam’s face lit up with relief.

Across the room, Azalea glanced at Reyes again, and this time he was already looking back at her.

They held eye contact a bit longer than needed before Reyes quickly looked away, focusing hard on his tablet.

Azalea smiled to herself. This was definitely interesting.

"So," Leo said, clapping his hands together, "now that we’ve had our emotional moment and everyone has cried and hugged it out, can we please talk about strategy?"

"Leo," Aylin said, but she was smiling.

"What? You all know I’m not exactly the best at handling feelings."

"We know," Reyes said, not amused.

"You’re really bad with feelings," Liam chimed in.

"The absolute worst," Zayden threw in.

Leo pointed at all of them. "I can’t stand you guys."

"No, you don’t," Azalea replied, moving closer to the group.

Leo smirked at her. "Good to see you here, Azalea."

"Good to see you too, Leo," she said with a small smile.

"So, are you officially on the team now?" Leo asked.

"Yep, officially," Azalea said.

"That’s actually pretty awesome," Leo admitted.

"Thanks."

"Do you have access to government databases?"

Azalea raised an eyebrow. "Maybe."

"Can you get me into the FBI criminal records?"

"Leo," Zayden warned.

"What? I’m just asking!" Leo protested.

Azalea laughed. "I’m already liking working with you."

"Everyone comes around eventually," Aylin chimed in.

Charles watched the playful back-and-forth, amazed. "This is your team?"

"This is my family," Zayden clarified.

Charles smiled. "Then I’m honored to be part of it."

Aylin looked around the room and spotted Zayden, her rock; Leo, the guy who could crack her up even when things were tough; Reyes, always reliable; Liam, a true buddy; Charles, the one who had saved her life; and Azalea, who went all out for justice.

"We’re gonna win," she said softly.

We have to.

"Against Alexander, the Alpha, and everyone else. We’re gonna pull this off."

The room went quiet.

"Damn right we are," Leo agreed.

Azalea caught Reyes sneaking another look at her. This time, when they locked eyes, he didn’t look away so fast. A small smile crossed his face before he finally looked down.

Azalea felt a little spark in her chest. This was interesting.

Zayden stood up. "Alright. Starting tomorrow, we get serious. Tonight, you all should unwind and think about what we’ve learned. Charles, we’ll get you a room here in the tower. Azalea, the same goes for you."

"I’ve got my own place," Azalea said.

"I’d rather you be here where I know you’ll be safe," Zayden countered.

Azalea looked like she was going to argue, but saw the expression on her brother’s face and backed down. "Fine."

"Great."

They headed out of the office. Liam left with his dad, while Leo and Aylin chatted quietly. Zayden paused to lock up his computer.

Reyes and Azalea ended up stepping out at the same time.

As they reached the elevator together, Azalea spoke up. "So, you’re Reyes. Aylin’s friend?"

"Yep," Reyes said.

"Zayden’s mentioned you."

"Has he?"

"He says you’re the best at what you do."

Reyes glanced at her. "He’s nice."

"He’s honest," Azalea corrected.

The elevator dinged, and they got on.

As the elevator doors slid shut, Azalea joked, "You were totally staring at me back there."

Reyes went completely still. "I wasn’t—"

"You were," Azalea countered, a grin spreading across her face. "Did I have something on my face or what?"

"Nope."

"Then why were you looking?"

Reyes kept his eyes straight ahead. "I was not staring."

"You were definitely staring."

"I was just observing."

"Observing," Azalea repeated, clearly amused.

"Yeah. You’re new to the team, and I keep an eye on all the newcomers for safety."

"Safety," she echoed.

"Exactly."

"Right." Azalea’s smile grew wider. "That’s why you blushed when I caught you."

"I did not blush."

"You absolutely did."

The elevator stopped, and the doors opened.

Reyes stepped out quickly. "Goodnight, Azalea."

He took off fast.

Azalea stayed in the elevator, watching him go and smiling to herself.

"Goodnight, Reyes," she said quietly.

For the first time in six years, since Raphael passed away, she felt something other than sadness when thinking about someone.

Maybe I’m finally ready to move on.