LINE WE SHOULDN'T CROSS

Chapter 19 – Lines We Shouldn't Cross

The silence in the car stretched, thick with something unspoken.

Zane could still feel the tension from their conversation, the way Vincent had barely looked at him since his little taunt.

He should let it go. He really should.

But that wasn't his style.

He stretched out, shifting in his seat so that his leg brushed against Vincent's. "So," he said casually, "what do we do about Lancaster?"

Vincent's hands were firm on the wheel, his knuckles slightly tense. "We gather leverage. Find out who he's working with. There's no way he's acting alone."

Zane hummed. "That sounds like work. And here I was hoping we'd celebrate our survival tonight."

Vincent shot him a side glance, unimpressed. "This isn't a victory."

"Not yet," Zane agreed. "But it could be."

He let his voice drop just slightly, testing, teasing.

Vincent exhaled through his nose, as if already tired of whatever game Zane was trying to play. "Are you ever serious?"

Zane smirked. "Oh, I'm very serious. Just… about different things."

Vincent didn't bite. He just turned his attention back to the road, his face unreadable.

Zane should let it go.

But again, he didn't.

Instead, he reached out—just lightly—trailing his fingers along the edge of Vincent's sleeve.

Vincent tensed.

Zane leaned in slightly, voice lower now, smoother. "Why do you fight it so much?"

Vincent didn't move for a long second. Then, finally, his jaw tightened. "This is dangerous."

Zane smirked. "So? I like dangerous."

Vincent exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You don't know what you're playing with."

Zane tilted his head, studying him. "Don't I?"

The air between them felt charged, like the moment before a lightning strike.

Vincent pulled the car to a stop in front of Zane's building. The engine was still running, but he didn't unlock the doors.

Zane waited.

Vincent turned to him, his expression unreadable. But there was something in his eyes—something that made Zane's stomach tighten.

A warning.

A challenge.

A temptation.

"This—" Vincent said, his voice quieter now, more strained. "—isn't something I can afford to entertain."

Zane considered that. Then, with a slow smirk, he leaned in just slightly, enough to watch Vincent's breath catch.

"I think," Zane murmured, "that you already are."

For a second—just a second—Vincent didn't move.

Then, without a word, he reached across Zane and opened the door for him.

Dismissal.

Zane let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he stepped out. "Fine, Graves. Have it your way."

Vincent didn't respond.

Zane shut the door and leaned against it for a second, watching as Vincent's car disappeared into the night.

His smirk lingered, but something else settled in his chest.

Something dangerously close to anticipation.

---

The Next Day – A Storm is Brewing

Zane stepped into his office, only to find Nathan waiting for him.

His brother stood by the window, looking out over the city like he owned it.

Zane sighed. "You could at least pretend you had an appointment."

Nathan turned, his expression smooth but his eyes sharp. "We need to talk."

Zane crossed his arms. "Let me guess—about Lancaster?"

Nathan's jaw tightened. "He approached me."

Zane's smirk faded. "And?"

Nathan hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then— "I told him no."

Zane blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

Nathan exhaled sharply. "I don't trust him, Zane. And more importantly, I don't trust what he'd do with our family's assets if he got his hands on them."

Zane narrowed his eyes. "Since when do you care about me keeping my shares?"

Nathan hesitated.

Zane's stomach twisted. "You're not telling me something."

Nathan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not just about you. It's about Dad."

Zane stilled.

Nathan crossed the room, voice lower now. "I know you think I've always sided with him. But I'm not blind, Zane. I know he's been making reckless decisions. If Lancaster exposes everything… it won't just be him who falls."

Zane exhaled, rubbing his temples. "So what? You're here to play the protective brother now?"

Nathan's jaw clenched. "I'm here because despite everything, you're still a Harrington. And we don't let outsiders take what's ours."

Zane studied him for a long moment.

For once, Nathan actually looked sincere.

And that? That was almost more unsettling than the whole Lancaster situation.

Zane sighed. "Fine. You want to play nice, Nathan? Let's see how long that lasts."

Nathan didn't rise to the bait. He just nodded, heading toward the door.

"Oh, and Zane?"

Zane arched a brow.

Nathan's expression darkened. "Watch your back. Lancaster isn't the only one looking for weakness."

Then he was gone.

Zane let out a slow breath, his mind spinning.

Between Lancaster, Nathan, and whatever was happening with Vincent—

Yeah.

Things were about to get very, very messy.

And for once?

Zane wasn't sure he minded.

---

End of Chapter 19.