ZANE
The wind whipped across the tarmac, carrying the sharp tang of jet fuel and rain-slicked asphalt that clung to my skin as I waited under the floodlights. The private jet's engines whined down to a low hum, the stairs unfolding with a mechanical precision that mirrored the control I craved in every aspect of my life. Liam emerged at the top, his broad silhouette cutting against the night sky, his duffel slung over one shoulder.
Relief hit me, finally, a soldier I could count on.
"Brother," Liam said, his voice a rough baritone that cut through the wind as he descended, clasping my forearm in a grip. His eyes, scanned my face, reading the storm there without a word.
I pulled him into a quick back-slap,"Good to have you back, Liam. Things are unraveling faster than a bad deal. Walk with me."
We turned toward the waiting SUV, its black paint gleaming like oil under the lights, the driver standing sentinel with a nod as we approached.
As we slid into the back seat, the door thudding shut with finality, Liam dropped his duffel and leaned forward, elbows on knees. "Spill it. The cartel's internal battles is how bad?"
The SUV pulled away smoothly as we revved toward the penthouse. I stared out the window. "Bad as it gets. Noah's vanished, lines dead, probably spilling to that journalist bitch, Harper. And Damian... dating Ava. My sister. Defying me like my word's worth nothing."
Liam's fingers drummed a steady rhythm on his knee, "Noah? That's not like him. spilling? That's treason. And Damian with Ava... shit, Zane. That's family blood. You think he's serious?"
I rubbed my temple, the headache pulsing like a warning siren. "Serious enough to go AWOL. I called them to the penthouse. I hope they'd honor it, show up ready to fall in line. But if they're not there..." The words trailed off. My worry gnawed deeply.
Liam nodded, "We'll track them. Drag them back if needed. The brotherhood's everything to us, we can't let personal shit shatter it."
We arrived at the penthouse and headed to the study. I scanned the room, my hope flickering that Damian and Noah had come to their senses, waiting with bowed heads or explanations. But the space was empty, with no sign of them. My jaw tightened with dismay as I strode to the study, Liam following.
"They're not here," I growled, slamming a fist on the desk, "Lines off, defying me like I'm a joke. I'll deal with them, drag them back, make them remember who built this."
Liam pulled out his phone, dialing quickly, his expression darkening as he tried Noah, then Damian. "Dead. Both lines. This is bullshit, Zane."
Bullshit? It was insurrection. Rage fumed through me,. "They think they can quit? I'll crush this and hunt them down, remind them the cartel doesn't bend for personal whims."
The door opened then, and Sienna walked in, her presence striking through my fire. She was a vision of beauty, she had her hair loose on a red dress hugging her curves with sinful precision, her stride was confident and seductive, turning the study into her runway at once.
Her eyes met mine, that romantic between us spark igniting instantly, and she crossed to me without a word, her hands cupping my face, her lips capturing mine in a passionate kiss that stole the air from my lungs. The world narrowed to her soft lips parting, her tongue teasing mine with a hunger that matched my own, her body pressing close to mine. The rage de-escalated, melting under her touch, my hands sliding to her waist, pulling her tighter as the kiss deepened.
She pulled back slightly, her breath mingling with mine, her thumbs tracing my jaw. "You needed that," she murmured,
I nodded, the fury cooling to smoldering coals, my forehead resting against hers. "More than you know."
Sienna glanced at Liam, her hand still on my face. "Liam, give us a moment?"
Liam nodded, grabbing his jacket with a knowing grin. "I'll scout the perimeter. Call if you need backup."
The door clicked shut, leaving us alone. Sienna's hands stayed on me, her touch grounding, but her eyes held a seriousness that made me brace up for impact yet her body was still pressed close.
"Zane," she started, her fingers tracing my collar. "We need to talk. About Noah and Damian."
I tensed, the coals flaring. "Not now, Sienna. They're defying me..."
She pressed a finger to my lips, "Yes, now. You're pushing them away. Embrace their choices, or you'll lose your loyal brothers. You're being selfish, not honoring their decisions."
The words hit like a thunderclap, "Selfish? I'm protecting the empire. Noah with Harper exposing us after I ordered her gone for that exposé. Damian with Ava is putting her in danger. My rules keep us alive."
She shook her head, her hands sliding to my chest, feeling my heartbeat race under her palm. Her eyes locked on mine with that fire that had won me over. "And us? We were enemies, at war in the cartel game. But we embraced our love, built this. They deserve that. Noah found his with Harper, even if she's an enemy. Damian with Ava. They've followed your rules forever as soldiers in your army. Let them live. They deserve love too."
I felt cornered, anger mingling with dawning reason, her romantic presence de-escalating the last of my rage. "You're taking their side? After everything we've built?"
"No," she whispered, her lips brushing mine, her hands pulling me closer, our bodies aligning in that perfect fit. "Your side. But see reason. The brotherhood survives with understanding, not control. We were at war once, now look at us. Give them that chance."
The intensity of her argument left me reeling, but reason seeped in like light through cracks. She was right, their loyalty had earned them this. I pulled her into another kiss, soft and lingering, then murmured, "I'll think about it. For you. For us."
We cuddled then, sinking onto the couch, her head on my chest, my arms around her, forgetting Liam, the world, in that quiet romantic bubble. Maybe it was time to rethink my rules.
