Chapter 4 A Deal with the devil

Lena sat in her car outside Ethan's building, gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her heart was still racing from their encounter. The moment he had pulled her against him, she had felt it-that fire, that unspoken desire still burning between them despite everything.

But he had walked away.

And that hurt more than she wanted to admit.

She exhaled shakily, pushing the thought aside. This wasn't about emotions. It couldn't be. If she let her feelings get in the way, she'd lose everything. Ethan had made it clear-he wanted proof.

And she was going to get it.

Her fingers hovered over her phone before she dialed a number she never thought she would.

"Valentina," she said the moment the line connected.

"Lena?" Her friend's voice was laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I need your help."

A pause. Then, "What kind of help?"

Lena glanced at the towering skyscrapers in the distance-the empire her father had built, the one he would burn anyone for. "I need information on Victor Hayes."

Valentina exhaled sharply. "Lena, do you even know what you're asking?"

"I do."

"And you realize what will happen if your father finds out?"

Lena shut her eyes. "Yes."

Another pause, longer this time. Then Valentina's voice softened. "You're really doing this for him, aren't you?"

Lena opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Valentina sighed. "I'll see what I can find."

Lena released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you."

"Just be careful, Lena. This is dangerous."

Lena hung up, tossing her phone onto the passenger seat. She already knew it was dangerous.

But it was too late to turn back now.

Ethan leaned against the bar in his penthouse, pouring himself a drink he probably didn't need. His mind was still clouded with Lena-her voice, her scent, the way she had looked up at him with those damn eyes.

He should have pushed her away.

He should have slammed the door in her face and told her to never come back.

Instead, he had let himself get close. Too close.

Jared strolled in, tossing his jacket onto the couch. "You look like hell."

Ethan downed the whiskey in one gulp, the burn doing little to numb the storm inside him. "Thanks."

Jared smirked. "So, how was round two with the princess?"

Ethan shot him a glare. "Not in the mood, Jared."

Jared held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. But you do realize this is a disaster waiting to happen, right?"

Ethan poured another drink. "I know."

"Then why let her back in?"

Ethan didn't answer. Because the truth was, he didn't know.

Jared exhaled. "Look, man. I get it. She's beautiful, smart, and way out of your league-"

Ethan shot him a look.

"-but," Jared continued, unfazed, "she's also the daughter of the man who ruined you. The same man you want to destroy."

Ethan gripped the glass tightly. "I haven't forgotten."

Jared sat down, watching him carefully. "Then tell me this. If it comes down to her or revenge, which one are you choosing?"

Ethan's jaw tightened.

Jared nodded, as if that was the answer he expected. "That's what I thought."

Lena barely had time to step into her apartment before she heard a knock at the door.

She hesitated. No one knew she was home.

Her pulse quickened as she reached for the handle and opened it slightly.

Her breath caught.

"Jace?"

Her father's right-hand man stood in the doorway, his face unreadable. "We need to talk."

Lena swallowed. "About what?"

Jace's gaze darkened. "About the fact that your father is starting to ask questions."

Her stomach twisted.

"Let me in, Lena."

She stepped aside, her mind racing. If Jace was here, that meant Damian Knight was already onto her.

And that meant she was running out of time.

Lena shut the door behind Jace, her heart hammering in her chest. He stood in the middle of her apartment, looking around like he was searching for something-or someone.

"You're alone?" he asked.

She nodded. "Why?"

Jace let out a slow breath and turned to face her. "Because your father is getting suspicious, Lena. He knows something is off."

Her stomach twisted. She had known this would happen eventually, but she had hoped for more time. "What did he say?"

"He didn't have to say much. He's watching you. He's watching everything," Jace said, stepping closer. "Tell me the truth. What are you doing?"

Lena crossed her arms, trying to steady herself. "Nothing."

Jace studied her, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Don't lie to me."

She clenched her jaw, but before she could say anything, Jace exhaled heavily. "Lena, listen to me. If you're thinking about helping Ethan Cole, you need to stop. Right now."

Her breath hitched. "Why?"

"Because if your father finds out, he won't just go after Ethan. He'll go after you."

A cold chill ran through her.

Jace lowered his voice. "And I won't be able to protect you this time."

Lena looked away, her mind spinning. Jace had always been her father's enforcer, but there had been moments-brief, rare moments-where he had shown her glimpses of loyalty that belonged only to her. Now, she wasn't so sure where his allegiance lay.

"I don't need protection," she said finally.

Jace let out a humorless chuckle. "You really think you can outplay Damian Knight?"

Lena lifted her chin. "I think it's time someone tried."

Jace's jaw tightened. "Damian isn't just your father, Lena. He's a man who built an empire by crushing anyone who stands in his way. And if you betray him, he will show you no mercy."

Lena's stomach twisted, but she refused to back down. "Are you going to tell him?"

Jace's eyes darkened. He didn't answer right away, and for a brief second, fear coiled in her chest. But then, he let out a sigh. "I haven't decided yet."

Lena swallowed hard.

Jace ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I know you think Ethan is the victim here. And maybe he is. But you're playing with fire, and you will get burned."

Lena stepped closer, her voice unwavering. "Then let me burn."

Jace stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head. "You really are your father's daughter," he muttered.

And then, without another word, he walked out, leaving Lena standing there with her pulse roaring in her ears.

She had made her choice.

Now, she just had to survive it.

Ethan stood on his balcony, staring at the city skyline, his mind a storm of thoughts. Lena had said she wanted to help, but he didn't trust her. He couldn't trust her.

But damn it, she had looked at him with those eyes, and for a second, he had wanted to believe her.

He heard the door open behind him.

"Tell me you have something," he said without turning.

Jared strolled in, tossing a folder onto the table. "I've got something."

Ethan turned and picked up the folder, flipping it open. The moment he saw the contents, his grip tightened.

Victor Hayes.

Bank transactions. Calls logged to Damian Knight's office. A direct connection.

Jared leaned against the counter. "That's just the start. Victor and Damian have been working together for months. Whatever they have planned, it's big."

Ethan exhaled sharply. "Which means Lena was telling the truth."

"Maybe," Jared said. "Or maybe she's playing both sides."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "If she is, she'll regret it."

Jared smirked. "Careful, Cole. I think you actually care."

Ethan shot him a glare, but Jared just laughed. "Relax, man. I'm just saying-if Lena really is helping us, things are about to get very interesting."

Ethan stared down at the file, his mind racing.

One way or another, this war had just begun.