THE JET AND THE GAME

someone who'd just been held captive. Ayla sat stiffly in one of the leather seats, her arms finally free but her mind racing. Cassian was across from her, pouring a drink with calm precision, like this was all perfectly normal.

She stared at him, studying the man who'd once loved her mother and now held her future in his hands.

"You're not going to tell me where we're going?" she asked, folding her arms.

Cassian sipped his drink, then smiled faintly. "I like surprises."

"You kidnapped me. Not really the time for romantic mystery."

"I didn't kidnap you," he corrected. "I rescued you—from choices that would've ruined you."

Ayla scoffed. "You mean choices that didn't involve you."

He looked at her, this time with something darker in his gaze. "You have no idea what Viper has done. Or Leon. The things they've buried to stay clean in your eyes. I'm not your enemy, Ayla. I'm just the only one being honest."

She met his gaze, defiant. "Then tell me the truth. All of it."

He leaned back, amused. "You think you're ready? Your mother wasn't. That truth killed her spirit before she ever ran."

Ayla flinched at the mention of her mother.

Cassian sighed and looked out the window. "Rest. You'll need it. When we land, everything changes."

Meanwhile…

Leon paced the hotel suite like a caged animal. Viper stood by the window, barely blinking.

"This isn't just about Ayla anymore," Viper said at last. "Cassian wants us to pay."

Leon stopped pacing. "Why her, then? Why not come after me directly?"

"Because hurting you through her is easier. Cleaner. And crueler."

Leon clenched his fists. "He's not going to keep her."

"Not for long," Viper replied coldly. "We find him. We bring her back."

Leon turned to face him. "And if we can't?"

Viper's voice dropped to a whisper. "Then we burn the world until he has nowhere left to hide."