The Enemy of My Enemy

Unknown Location

Theo drove in silence, gripping the wheel like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. The weight of Ethan's betrayal sat heavy in his chest, but there was no time to process it.

They needed answers.

Evelyn sat beside him, pressing a cloth against the cut on her forehead. She could feel the tension radiating off Theo, but she didn't say anything—because what was there to say?

They had trusted Ethan.

And he had led them straight into a trap.

Evelyn sighed, shifting slightly. "Where exactly are we going?"

Theo's eyes didn't leave the road. "A place Kade used to hide when things got bad. If anyone knows who's really behind this, it's him."

Evelyn raised a brow. "You think he's just going to tell us?"

Theo's jaw clenched. "He will."

Evelyn knew that tone. It meant Theo was willing to do whatever it took.

She hesitated before speaking. "Theo…"

He finally glanced at her. "What?"

Evelyn exhaled. "Just… be careful. You're not thinking straight."

Theo let out a humorless chuckle. "Not thinking straight? Evelyn, Ethan betrayed us. We were this close—" he held up his fingers, "—to finding out the truth, and he played us the entire time."

Evelyn placed a hand on his arm, squeezing gently. "I know. And that's exactly why we can't go in blind."

Theo exhaled through his nose, gripping the wheel tighter—but he didn't pull away from her touch.

For a brief second, there was only silence.

Then, Theo muttered, "I'm not losing you again."

Evelyn's breath caught.

She didn't know what to say to that.

Instead of answering, she simply nodded.

And for now, that was enough.

---

Abandoned Safehouse

The place was exactly how Theo remembered it.

An old warehouse on the outskirts of town. Windows shattered. Rust creeping up the walls. The kind of place no one looked twice at.

Which made it perfect for a man like Kade.

Theo killed the engine. "Stay behind me."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "I'm not some damsel, Theo."

His lips twitched. "Didn't say you were."

They stepped out together, moving carefully toward the entrance.

Theo knocked once. Twice.

Then, he spoke. "Kade, open the damn door before I shoot it down."

A long pause.

Then, a voice from inside. "Damn, Theo. You always did have a way with words."

The door creaked open just enough to reveal Kade's smirking face.

He looked the same. Sharp eyes. A cocky grin. But there was something off. A tension in his shoulders. A flicker of wariness.

Theo wasted no time. He grabbed Kade by the collar and shoved him inside, slamming the door shut behind them.

Evelyn locked it.

Kade huffed, adjusting his jacket. "No 'hello'? No 'hey Kade, long time no see'?"

Theo ignored him. "Tell me who's pulling the strings."

Kade's smirk didn't fade. "Straight to business, huh?"

Theo took a step closer. "I'm not in the mood for games."

Kade sighed, crossing his arms. "And what makes you think I know?"

Theo's eyes darkened. "Because you're still breathing."

For the first time, Kade's smirk faltered.

Evelyn stepped forward. "We know Ethan was working for someone bigger. Someone who used Kade as a distraction."

Kade exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Well, damn. Guess I'm not as important as I thought."

Theo's patience snapped. He grabbed Kade, slamming him against the wall.

Kade groaned. "Seriously? Do you always resort to violence?"

Theo's voice was low. Dangerous. "When it comes to you? Yes."

Kade studied him for a long moment. Then, he glanced at Evelyn. "And you? You cool with this?"

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Not particularly. But I'm way past caring."

Kade let out a short laugh. "You two are really something, huh?"

Theo tightened his grip. "Kade—"

Kade sighed. "Alright, alright. No need to get all murdery."

Theo let go, but his glare didn't soften.

Kade straightened his jacket. "Fine. You want the truth? Here it is—"

He looked them both dead in the eye.

"You were never supposed to survive this long."

Silence.

Evelyn felt a chill crawl down her spine.

Theo's fists clenched. "What do you mean?"

Kade exhaled. "I mean the real mastermind? The one who's been pulling the strings? They've been watching you from the start. Every move you made? Every time you got close? They were always one step ahead."

Evelyn swallowed hard. "Who is it?"

Kade hesitated.

Then, he muttered a name.

A name that made everything fall into place.

Theo's breath caught.

Evelyn's eyes widened.

Because this wasn't just some random mastermind.

This was personal.

And the worst part?

They should have seen it coming.

---

End of Chapter 41