Chapter 766

Cole smirked. “What’s with this Lena? All I know is you’ve got me down here feeling…”

God, he was disgusting. But the way he said it? Yeah, he had no clue where Lena was. So if it wasn’t him, then who? Wayne? Same trash, different can. If it wasn’t Cole pulling the strings, it had to be Wayne.

I leaned into the threat, my voice cold. “Cole, last warning—stay away from my people, or you will regret it.”

He let out a scoff, his curses coming rapid-fire. “You forget who you’re talking to, Keira? You think I’m scared of you?”

“Don’t care if it’s you or one of your goons,” I snapped back. “The message better be clear. Lena gets home safe, or you’ll wish you were scared.”

Without waiting for a reply, I hung up, cutting him off mid-scoff. Sure, my words would probably stick with Cole, but the unease still clawed at me. And let’s be real—I had no one to lean on. Hayden? Gone. Steve? Checked out of this mess ages ago.

I sank into my chair, the weight of helplessness pressing down until I could barely breathe. Finally, I forced myself to move. I stepped out of my room, my gaze drifting toward Mrs. Drago’s room. If Cole was lying, I could take it to Mrs. Drago. But without proof, bothering her felt wrong.

She was my last card to play, but Cole’s denial left everything murky, and the panic rising in my chest wasn’t helping. It burned hotter than when I lost Hayden—this was different. This was Lena. More important than I’d ever admitted, even to myself.

I raked my hands through my hair, forcing my thoughts to settle. And then it clicked—there was someone else nearby.

When Jace opened his door, it was fast—like he hadn’t been sleeping. Still, the coat draped over his shoulder told a different story.

“Sorry to bother you,” I said, keeping my tone calm.

“What’s going on?” he asked, skipping the pleasantries. He knew I wouldn’t knock this late unless it was serious.

“Lena’s missing.” My voice shook—whether from the biting cold or the fear clawing at me, I couldn’t tell.

In the moonlight, Jace’s pale face went even whiter. He reached out, his hand steady on my shoulder. “Come inside. Sit. I’ll call someone right now.”

I shook my head, and he stopped. He seemed to catch on, reading my refusal to step in. With a slight nod, he let his hand drop and turned back into his room.

From the doorway, I watched as he made the call. I couldn’t catch who he was talking to, but his tone was sharp. “Check my brother’s side—and his people. Then dig into the Drago family. Find out if anyone took someone tonight. And move fast.”

The call was short, but the authority in his voice carried weight. For the first time all night, the tight grip on my chest eased just a little.

“I’ll walk with you for a bit while we wait,” Jace said, tugging his coat tighter as he stepped into the hallway.

Earlier, he’d invited me inside, but I’d said no. He probably thought I was trying to avoid sending the wrong signal. He wasn’t wrong. It was my first instinct. Still, I knew it probably stung. But we weren’t the same people anymore. Now? Just… strangers with a history.

And yet, here I was, asking for his help. It felt messy. Hypocritical, even.

“There’s no need. I’ll wait in my room. Just call me if you hear anything,” I said, shutting it down. Honestly, there wasn’t much left to say between us. Anything more would just get awkward. And the night air? Way too cold for small talk.

Chapter 767