23 From the Inside
Jace
Alexei’s grip on my arm is firm, guiding me past crates stacked too high to see over. Every step is precise. I know where the gaps are, the blind spots. The angles that keep us just out of reach.
I saw the worry in Noah’s eyes as Alexei dragged me away. That’s fine, let him think I’m exposed. It keeps him off-balance.
We hit the edge of another dock. Water lapping against the hull of the ship, dark and waiting. Alexei gestures toward the small boat tied alongside. Our exit. A silent, sleek motorboat.
I let him pull me along. I know what’s coming.
Alexei glances at me, his accent thick. “Did you know those boys?”
I don’t look at him. I know he’s testing me.
“Yes. They’re a part of the Guild.”
“I see.” Alexei steps into the boat, tossing the metal case in the center. I keep my hands free.
The engine starts, and we’re pulling away. The night air bites at my skin. The spray pricks my face like needles. I let the wake carry us away, letting the chaos of the dock dissolve behind us.
But my eyes don’t leave Alexei, not for a second.
Luca and Noah, hell, probably Maeve too. They don’t understand. They think I’ve betrayed them. That I’ve chosen the enemy, that I’ve gone over to Gideon.
Let them.
Because right now, I’m exactly where I need to be.
Alexei smirks, glancing behind us. Thinking he’s gotten away from the danger. The port is shrinking, swallowed by darkness and distance.
He should be more worried about me.
The motor hums steadily beneath us as we cut across the water. Alexei cracks his neck, loosening his shoulders, finally relaxing. Mistake number one. We’re pulling up to a much larger ship. I’m guessing this was Alexei’s backup plan, too.
He nudges the metal case with his boot. “We made it,” he says, smug as ever. “Your father will be pleased—”
“My father rarely is.”
Alexei laughs, like we’re sharing some private joke. Mistake number two. I shift my wrist, checking the time, the smooth face of the disguised detonator catching a sliver of moonlight. Right on schedule.
“Where exactly are we going?” I ask, like I don’t already know.
“This is my home away from home.” He gestures to the large luxury vessel. “Why don’t you come and enjoy a drink with me? We have beautiful ladies on board.” He chuckles.
He pulls his phone out of his back pocket and with a few taps, a rope ladder is dropped down to us.
“After you.” I gesture.
Alexei grabs the ladder with a nod and climbs up with the case in one hand. As soon as Alexei steps onto the boat, he peers back down at me.
“Jace, aren’t you coming?”
“I appreciate the offer, Alexei. But my father wouldn’t approve of me ‘relaxing’. I’ll head back and check on the cargo.”
Alexei laughs again, “What a dutiful son. It was a pleasure, Jace. I look forward to working with you.”
“As do I.” I pull away and speed toward the port. I turn to see Alexei walking toward the interior of the ship.
He thinks he won. He thinks I’m letting him.
I exhale slowly, fingers sliding to the underside of my watch, finding the recessed switch I rigged myself. A soft click vibrates through the metal.
The yacht erupts from the inside out—a blooming fireball tearing through the metal hull. The shockwave slams the small boat, throwing me off balance. Pain ricochets through my shoulder when I hit the railing. Heat sears my back as the yacht breaks apart, flames licking the dark sky.
There’s no way anyone survived that.
The boat rocks wildly, half-capsized, but still afloat. I jam the throttle, steering toward the dark stretch of coastline away from the port, away from my father’s eyes, away from the ruin I’ve just created.
He doesn’t know I’ve been counting every step he takes, every encrypted call, every hidden route he used to move shipments in and out.
I’ve mapped his entire operation behind the obedient silence and yes-sirs.
The trick isn’t to act loyal. It’s becoming the kind of man who would be.
So I did. Alexei is gone. His operation is burning. Gideon just lost his biggest supplier.
Damn, it feels good. For the first time in a while, a smile stretches over my face. I’m coming, Isobel.
The small boat slams into the rocky coastline and I drag myself out. Pain blooms along my shoulder, but I ignore it. I pull my phone out as I head up the beach toward the road, tapping it a few times. I break it, then toss it into the water.
By the time I make it up to the concrete wall, an SUV skids to a halt a few feet away. Doors fling open.
Luca bursts out, fists clenched, face pale. Noah jumps down behind him, scanning with his weapon half-raised.
Luca gapes like a fish. “What the—dude. We thought… we thought you died in the blast! What the fuck is going on?”
Noah’s eyes narrow, arms crossed, voice clipped. “Seriously. First, you’re with Gideon’s biggest supplier, then you and Alexei run off together and take off in a speedboat. Then we see the explosion, the fire—shit, Jace, we thought you were gone. Explain. Now.”
I smirk and brush my hair out of my face.
“Relax.” I shrug, the move causing pain to shoot through my shoulder, “It was all part of the plan.”
Luca steps closer, rage simmering in his jaw. “Plan? You blew up a yacht, Jace. A million-dollar shipment. And you’re telling us to relax?”
I stare at them and they stare back.
“Noah, man, help me out here.” Luca flings his arms dramatically.
Noah stares at me. I can see he’s processing like the supercomputer he is. I see the moment it clicks.
“You planned all of this,” Noah states.
“What?” Luca looks back and forth between us.
I nod slowly.
“You knew we would follow you and intervene.” Noah blinks at me.
Luca scoffs, but Noah continues. “You wanted Alexei to drag you away. You were always going to take him out.”
“Jesus,” Luca mutters. “This is insane.”
“The only thing I can’t figure out,” Noah finishes, “is why. What does your dad have on you that you’re doing all of this for him?”
I exhale, dragging a hand down my face. I’ve run out of time to dance around this.
“Gideon has Isobel.”
The world goes dead silent. Even the waves seem to pause.
Luca’s chest rises sharply. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“He has her,” I repeat. “He’s had her.”
“No,” Luca snaps, shaking his head violently. “Daniel has her.”
“He doesn’t.”
Luca’s face twists in betrayal so raw, I’m questioning myself. “You-you knew where she was? This whole time?”
“I needed Gideon to believe I was loyal. I needed him to trust me completely. I needed access to every part of his empire so I could destroy it, and no one could step up in his place.”
“But Isobel—”
“He has her locked up and under surveillance. I couldn’t do anything. We were all under surveillance. I couldn’t make a wrong step. If Gideon suspected for even a second—”
“Oh, fuck off,” Luca roars. “You LET US think Daniel took her. Let us chase bullshit for MONTHS. Let us lose sleep, lose hope. While she was being—”
His voice cracks.
“God, Jace. What the hell is wrong with you?!” Luca’s eyes widen, and he tackles me into the sand.
“What the—”
Luca punches me in the face. “What really happened that night Isobel was taken?” he demands, spittle flying, voice shredded with grief and rage.
I can’t answer. I can’t even breathe. Luca punches me again.
“ANSWER ME!” He’s shaking. His fists fly, one after another, and I let him.
“Luca,” Noah steps in, pulling him off of me. Luca is panting heavily. His fury is rolling off of him, and I can’t even blame him.
“Jace.” Noah’s voice is strained, “What happened that night?” he presses again.
I sit up in the sand, spitting the blood out of my mouth.
“Gideon dislocated my shoulder to make sure Dakota went in my place. He had men waiting all around. He gave Dakota something to inject her with—”
“Dakota?” Luca lets my words sink in. “YOU MOTHERFUCKER!” Luca launches at me and punches me again before Noah can pull him back.
“Luca, let’s go!” Noah pulls him toward the car. “We need to discuss all of this. But you need to get a hold of yourself.”
“Whatever.” Luca shrugs Noah off and heads to the SUV, slamming the door.
Noah helps me up, “Strategically? I get it. I do. Taking down Gideon’s whole operation at once… cutting off all resources, it’s the most effective way to keep him from ever coming after her again.”
“He wouldn’t have stopped. Even if we got her back. He would’ve kept coming after her to get what he wants, and she already has Daniel to deal with.”
“Jace, even understanding logically, doesn’t mean I can stomach it.
” His throat bobs. “You let him keep her, and I’m guessing in not the best conditions.
She’s been there for months now, Jace. Who knows what damage he’s caused her?
If you had just confided in us, maybe we could’ve helped you take him down faster while also saving her. ”
A cold blade of pain drives deep into my ribs. I don’t move. I don’t argue.
I did what needed to be done.
We’re stepping into one of the Guild’s safe houses when a flash of blonde is hurtling towards me. My head snaps to the side, my cheek stings.
“Fuck you, Jace Ravencourt! I’m going to kill you. You mother fucking twat waffle!” Maeve starts hitting her fists against my chest. Felix runs up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her away.
“Let me go, Felix! I need to hurt this lying sack of shit!” She kicks and pushes at him. “Kellan! Bring me my bat!”
“No!” Felix grunts as she punches his side, “We need him to get Isobel back. Hurt him later.”
That stops her, and Felix sets her down.
“You’re on my shitlist. Good luck getting off that.” Maeve glares at me, flipping me off, and stomps off into the house.
Felix crosses his arms in front of me.
“I didn’t do that for you. I did it for her. She needs Isobel back.” Felix says, then turns and follows Maeve. Luca pushes past me and follows Felix without a word.
Noah closes the door behind us. “Lucian has already swept the house for any listening devices. We’re going to sit down and talk about this properly, like we should have from the beginning.”
Noah moves ahead, and I follow behind. We pass through to the back where a heavy reinforced door to the basement is open and waiting. He gestures me forward with a tilt of his head. I descend the stairs as Noah locks the door behind us.
The room inside swallows light. The air is cooler here, heavier, with a faint hum I can’t identify.
It’s windowless, claustrophobic, but intentionally so—every wall is lined with a copper mesh that glints faintly under the single overhead light.
The long table in the center is polished but austere, with chairs spaced evenly around it.
Acoustic panels hug the walls like silent guards.
Lucian stands at the head of the table, his posture rigid and imposing. Felix and Kellan sit on either side of Maeve. Luca sits across from them, arms crossed, leg bouncing furiously. A laptop is set up next to Lucian, presumably for Noah, and at the other end, open for me.
The table’s polished surface reflects the sterile overhead light, making the copper-lined walls glint faintly. Everything is deliberate, designed to keep prying eyes and ears away.
“This room is SCIF. Everything is monitored, controlled, and secured. No signals get in or out. Phones, watches, anything capable of transmitting will be put in these Faraday bags.” He gestures to the bags in the middle of the table.
“I broke my phone and tossed it into the water,” I say as I take a seat.
“The walls are copper-lined to block electronic surveillance. The white-noise system masks anything that might carry sound. Nothing leaves or enters this room without our knowledge,” Lucian finishes.
Noah slides his phone into the last Faraday bag, closes it, then nods to Lucian.
For the next hour, I explained everything I’d learned about my father’s business.
The words taste like acid coming out of my mouth.
Names. Locations. Offshore accounts. Dummy corporations. Shipping routes. Which ports Gideon owns outright and which ones he controls through bribery. Which factions still owe him favors. Which ones fear him. Which ones would burn the world for him.
Every dirty detail I’ve gathered—every whispered conversation, every clandestine meeting, every coded message I pretended not to understand—I drag it all into the light. Including the missions he wanted me to sabotage.
Noah types silently beside Lucian, his fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. His expression never changes, but the muscle in his jaw ticks with every new revelation.
Felix goes still. Even his usual expression slips into something like disbelief.
Kellan swears under his breath more times than I can count.
Maeve looks sick. Because even though she’s not from our world, she’s smart and has learned quickly.
Lucian listens without interrupting. Not one word. Not one question. Just that cold, sharp stare.
Luca…
Luca won’t even look at me. His leg hasn’t stopped bouncing. His arms are tense, folded tight across his chest like he’s physically holding himself together.
I keep speaking anyway.
I outline Gideon’s encrypted ledgers. The movement of weapons disguised as medical shipments. The way Alexei funneled intel from the East. The money laundering rings disguised as different start-ups and businesses.
The room grows heavier with every detail, like the air itself is absorbing the corruption.
When I’m done—finally done—I sit back, throat raw, heart hammering.
Silence. Thick. Suffocating.
No one moves.
No one speaks.
“You mapped everything.” Lucian’s eyes lock onto mine.
Noah lets out a slow, stunned breath.
“Holy shit,” Felix mutters.
Maeve presses her fingers into her eyes like she’s fighting a migraine.
Kellan leans back, just staring at me.
Luca finally lifts his head.
His eyes are red. And burning.
“Great,” he says, voice rough and low. “Amazing. You took down his whole operation on paper.” He swallows hard. “But tell me how the hell any of this helps Isobel.”
And just like that, the hour of hell I just dumped onto the table becomes nothing compared to what’s coming.