Chapter 24
Lena
My jaw clenches, locking tight like a trap as I fight the surge of nausea as Zeke’s words hang in the air.
The bogus promise, the hollow reassurance, it’s all a game to him.
I know him well enough to see through the veneer.
He’s lying, just like he always does. His promises are nothing but lies stitched together with delusion.
Hollow reassurances about protection, about family, about building a future.
It’s all part of his performance, but I know him too well.
He’s not interested in safety or love, he wants control.
He wants obedience. He wants to own me like a piece of property.
Inside, I’m calculating every move, every possibility. I need to get out of here, but I can’t do it alone. Not yet. I have Mia to think about, and I refuse to let Zeke use her as leverage. My muscles remain tense, ready to strike or run, whichever comes first.
Zeke’s fingers linger in my hair, as if trying to brand me with his touch, claiming me.
I don’t flinch as his finger strokes my cheek, though I want to recoil and slap his hand away.
I’m playing along for now and I keep my face passive, hiding my rage, my fear.
This is what he wants from me, what he expects.
That’s how I stay alive, how I protect Mia.
I’ve been fighting this battle for years, and I know what he’s capable of. His sense of control is dangerous, and I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear. Not here. Not now. Not ever.
“You mentioned hunting down the Soaring Eagles,” I say softly, voice even, carefully choosing my words, avoiding any sign of distress. “How exactly do you plan to do that? You’ve never struck me as a man with much patience for law or justice.”
Zeke’s grin tightens, that predatory glint returning to his eyes. “They’re a thorn in my side. I’ve got men working on it. Once I have their Prez and the other three, I’ll dismantle the entire organization. It will be easy, don’t worry.”
I hate that he doesn’t even seem to know the guys’ names, that to him they’re not people.
I nod slowly, pretending to buy into his lie, while my heart pounds.
Inside, I’m not calm. I’m calculating. Strategizing.
Every heartbeat is a countdown. Every breath is a reminder that time is running out.
I need to escape, but I won’t do it recklessly.
I won’t leave Mia behind. I have to keep him talking, keep him moving, keep him distracted.
It’s the only way I’ll have a shot at saving Mia, at gaining our freedom.
Zeke grins like I just complimented his ambition.
His eyes sparkle with a cold, obsessive light that makes my skin crawl.
“They’re already halfway broken. I’ve got inside info.
Their leaders are gone or soon will be. Once I have all four of them, I’ll dismantle that club brick by brick. No one will stand in my way.”
He speaks like he’s already won. He doesn’t know that arrogance like his is always the prelude to a fall.
I nod, feigning interest. “Sounds… efficient.”
Keep him talking, I remind myself. Keep him distracted.
He releases me, stepping back, and I sag with relief.
He moves to his desk, flipping open a manila folder.
Inside are blueprints, maps, maybe surveillance photos—I can’t see clearly from this angle, but I catch enough to know he’s planning something big.
Bigger than I’d imagined. This house isn’t just a hideout, it’s a headquarters.
“You’ll stay here for now. Rest, recover, and I’ll have someone bring you food and clothes. I want you to look your best,” Zeke says, like he’s giving me a gift.
His voice softens, as if he actually believes the garbage he’s spewing.
“In a way, this house is a perfect metaphor for our future, a new beginning. It’ll be better than before, making it our family home where we raise our children.
We can rebuild what’s been broken.” His eyes flick over me, lingering a second longer than necessary. “Together.”
I stare, my mind racing for a plan. The room’s thick with false warmth, but I see through it all.
What Zeke’s doing isn’t about family. It’s about possession.
Zeke’s version of family is a prison, and I need to escape before I’m trapped in this nightmare of a life he imagines for me.
Every part of me wants to scream, to fight, to run—but I don’t. I can’t. Not yet.
I subtly shift my weight, gauging his mood.
“Zeke,” I say softly, my voice edged with a sincerity I don’t feel, “You say you want to protect me. Protect Mia. But I’ve seen what you really do when no one’s watching.
This isn’t protection. It’s control. We can be a family, but not with us trapped in this house, like a prison. ”
He spins around, eyes narrowing. “Watch your mouth, Lena. I knew you were smart, but I didn’t know you were this disrespectful.
Any woman would be desperate for the life I’m offering you.
A family with everything you could ever want, all of your needs met, in a beautiful home. Mia will want for nothing.”
“I’m just telling the truth,” I reply, voice steady. “Families don’t trap each other like this. They don’t kidnap and lock each other up. You can threaten me, manipulate me, but I won’t let you enslave Mia the way you’ve tried to enslave me. I won’t raise her in a gilded cage.”
Zeke’s face darkens, and for a moment I think I’ve overstepped.
But then he sighs, rubbing his face with a hand.
“You’ll see, Lena. One day, you’ll understand.
We’re meant to be a family. You’ll come around.
” He laughs, the sound hollow and mocking.
“You always were overly dramatic. You just need more time to see things my way.” He doesn’t wait for my reply.
He turns away, dismissing me like a disobedient pet.
I look around, noting the security camera in the top corner of the room and the faint red light glowing beside it. I don’t know if it’s live, but I assume Zeke is monitoring everything I do.
“Not likely,” I whisper under my breath, tightening my fists. I feel foolish for even thinking I could make Zeke see reason. He has no intention of treating me like anything other than a trophy, a pretty ornament.
There’s a knock at the door, and two of the men from before appear. “Prez, Spike asked to see you,” one says—Chuck, I think.
Zeke rolls his eyes in frustration. “Fine,” he says with a sigh. “Butch, stay here and keep an eye on Lena,” he orders, then looks at me. “And if you try anything stupid, I’ll make you regret it. I don’t want to punish you, but I will if you force my hand.”
As the door closes behind Zeke and Chuck, Butch blocks the doorway with his giant frame, crossing his arms across his barrel chest. Butch stands looking as if he’d like to get revenge for my kneeing him in the balls.
I know better than to try anything this time.
He tells me, “Try anything funny and I’ll kill you.
” I believe him. I don’t bother replying.
I walk as far away from him as I can and lean my head against the cold wall, closing my eyes for a moment.
I can’t afford to show weakness now. Mia’s future depends on what I do next.
My eyes drift toward the single small window high on the wall.
It’s barred, of course. No sunlight filters through, just the faint glow of exterior floodlights.
Somewhere in this house, Mia is sleeping, or crying, wondering where I am.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus and mentally chart my next move. I won’t let Zeke win. I know in my heart that the guys are out there searching for us, that they will stop at nothing to rescue us. I just need to hold on until that happens.
I whisper it like a prayer. Find us.
But if they don’t get here fast enough, I’ll wait for the right moment, and when it comes, I’ll run. I will save Mia, no matter what it costs me. Even if I can only save her, I’d gladly sacrifice myself so that she can escape.