Chapter 25

A lec. My Alec. He was there. He knew me when I was young. Knew who I was, who I am, and said nothing.

A cage.

Pain.

"They were drug addicts, but they were a part of the Circle. No one questioned why they treated me as if I was barely more than a dog. I had nothing."

But in that treehouse, we had each other.

Black dots dance behind my eyes as my veins fill with ice. It's like the world has tilted, leaving me grasping for something solid, something real. My Alec. The one who held my heart in his hands, who saw me when no one else did, who whispered promises of forever when the world felt too big, too cruel.

Now those memories are like shards of glass, cutting into my skin, drawing blood. He was there. For months, he watched silently as I stumbled through the darkness, searching for truth, searching for him.

And he said nothing.

The silence screams in my ears, a deafening roar that drowns out everything else.

I can't breathe, can't think, as the realization sinks in, twisting my insides into knots. How could he? How could he look at me, day after day, and keep that secret buried deep? My trust, my love—it feels like it's crumbling, turning to ash in my hands.

Every moment we shared feels tainted now, poisoned by the truth he hid from me. I can almost feel the betrayal seeping into my bones, a cold, relentless ache that refuses to let go.

My Alec.

But is he really mine, or has he always belonged to the shadows?

Suddenly, warmth penetrates the overwhelming sensations surrounding me. I suck in a sharp breath, but it's not enough to erase the damage that's already been done. I'm drowning in an ocean I never saw coming, and I can't find the water's surface.

"I've got you," a soft voice says as my face is guided upward. "Open your eyes, baby. It's just you and me now."

Hunter.

I blink through the haze blanketing me, finding his hazel eyes locked on mine. My chest constricts at the sight of him on his knees before me, his big hands cupping my cheeks. Hunter smiles, but I don't miss the tension in his expression.

"There she is," he whispers, pressing his forehead to mine. His thumbs stroke soothing trails across my jaw, grounding me as he murmurs reassurances. With every word, my panting gasps slow. "My pretty baby. My love. That's it. Just breathe with me, Elle. It's just us. No one else."

No one else?

I shift to pull away, but his firm grip tightens.

"No, stay here with me," he commands, his voice steady. My eyes instinctually flick back to his. "Ignore the world. Nothing else matters right now more than you do."

My heart squeezes painfully. He's wrong. I'm not nearly as important as he is, as they are. Without them, I'm nothing. Doesn't he know that?

"I can see the wheels turning in that brilliant brain of yours." His beautiful eyes narrow. "You're wrong, Ella. They'd want you to take care of yourself. They'd want you to be okay before you worry about them. You know that, don't you?"

My first instinct is to deny it, but deep down, I know Hunter's right. The guys would want me looked after. They'd do everything in their power to make sure I'm happy and healthy. Safe. Looked after and loved. It's all they've done for me from the beginning.

That's why I need them.

My chest throbs, and I reach a shaking hand up to rub the ache away. Hunt strokes his fingers across my cheeks, wiping away tears I didn't even realize I'd cried. Everything is too much, too hard. I don't know how much more I can take.

But with him here, blocking out the room, the world, it's easier. With him as my protector, I can breathe past the chasm of pain threatening to split me in two. With him as my shield, I can exist inside this room without losing myself completely.

"Hunter," I rasp, not knowing what I'm asking for, just that I need something.

Help. Him. Them. Air.

His gaze searches mine. Whatever he sees has him tensing, but he quickly smoothes his features.

"Isabella," Madeline says. Her voice is soft, but I still flinch. "What can I do?"

Just the sound of her desperate plea has everything rushing back in, and before I even blink, my peace is gone.

My breaths come in sharp, shallow gasps, each one a struggle. I clutch at my throat, as if I can force the air to come, force my body to calm down, but it's useless. The panic is relentless, tightening its grip, squeezing until I feel like I might shatter. My vision blurs, spots of darkness creeping in at the edges, and I'm trembling, every muscle locked in fear.

I need to move, need to escape, but my legs are heavy, rooted to the spot as the panic drags me under. My chest heaves with the effort of trying to breathe, trying to find some anchor, something to hold on to before I'm lost completely.

"I'm sorry," Madeline cries. "I'm so, so sorry.

"Everyone, get the fuck out!" Hunter booms. "I don't give a fuck who you are! She needs a goddamn minute without all of you staring and lording secrets over her head. Get out!"

An argument breaks out, but I'm too busy trying to find the oxygen I desperately need to pay attention.

I don't know how much time passes, but throughout it all, he never leaves me. His eyes remain locked on mine. His touch, his connection, never waivers.

A door slams, and then nothing.

My shoulders drop, and he leans forward, pressing a kiss to my brow that lingers. We sit in silence for a long time while I work to get my breathing regulated. When I finally feel like I'm not seconds from passing out, I burrow deeper against him.

Hunter hums happily and murmurs, "Tell me what you need, my love."

"That's way too loaded," I choke out.

He freezes, then smiles against me. His chest rumbles with a sexy chuckle that sends shocked zaps throughout my body.

"Oh, I've got a way to keep you loaded," he whispers. A giggle bursts from my chest and he laughs in response. "Bad joke?"

"Really bad," I agree, sinking deeper into his hold. I give myself a few seconds before pulling away. "Are we alone?"

His jaw tenses and he shakes his head once. "I told everyone to leave, but—"

"But I'm not leaving you." I'm surprised by the familiar voice. I'd thought Madeline would have been the one to insist she stay. Instead, it's Evelyn I find myself looking toward. She gives me a teary smile that quickly drops. "I mean, I don't want to, but I will if you'd like to be alone."

Is that what I want? The pain of all she and Daniel have kept from me stings, but right now, they're the only ones besides Hunter who feel like home. Still, that doesn't mean I need to forgive her. Not yet, maybe not ever.

"I need answers. You can stay if you're willing to give me them without bullshitting us the way everyone else is."

She doesn't even hesitate as she jerks a sharp nod. "I can do that."

I swallow, turning back to Hunter. "I can't do this alone."

"Never," he vows, shifting his body to block Evelyn from my view. "I will never leave you. Just look at me. Nothing and no one else. It's just us. You got me?"

"I got you," I rasp, tangling my fingers in his shirt. Clearing my throat, I finally ask the question that's been burning through me since last night. "What happened last night, Evelyn?"

"I'm not completely sure, to be honest," she says, her voice filled with confusion. "The plan was always to come for you once you reached your twenty-third birthday. To bring you into the fold when we were sure you'd be safe. Daniel and I were going to speak to you about it the night we had you and your men over, but then…"

But then Hunter was attacked. My throat tightens as the fear of that night pulses through me. That's twice now he'd been injured for being a part of my life. I wish I was strong enough to let him go, but I'm not. I love him too damn much. What happened that night will never happen again, though. Not if I can help it.

Hunter's jaw pulses and I can tell he wants to say something, but he holds back, letting me decide how much I can handle.

"Keep going," I quietly demand, focusing on the soft strokes of his fingers brushing my cheeks.

"San Francisco will never be safe for you, Isabella. But this place is your home, your birthright. You deserve to take back the legacy your parents left for you. When Miles and Char passed, Le Milieu died with them. It took us years to rebuild, to create the family, the army, you'd eventually need." She chuckles softly. "Not that you need us. You seem to have found your own band of warriors, sweetheart, haven't you?"

I blush, but the feeling quickly sours. The guys are my warriors, and now they need me.

"Where are they?" I ask. "Who were the masked people in the parking lot?"

"You've inherited so much, Isabella," she murmurs. "This place, Le Milieu , the new Circle, your birthright. But with that comes danger. The most powerful people will always have the worst enemies, and you, my dear, are no different."

Irritation burns through me. I untangle my fingers from Hunter's shirt before leaning back and turning my full attention to her. My eyes are narrowed, my patience paper thin.

"Who the hell were they?" I grit out. "You're saying so many things and nothing at all. What the fuck are you leaving out?"

She doesn't take offense to my tone. Instead, her head tilts to the side, her graying, blonde curls falling over her shoulder.

"When your grandfather and uncles unexpectedly died, your mother became the last living member of Le Milieu . In the blink of an eye, she inherited a fortune beyond anyone's wildest dreams. From one moment to the next, she found herself the Godmother of an international crime syndicate that dates back hundreds of years." She shakes her head and wipes away a tear. "But Char was young, and she never wanted to be queen."

"Queen?" Hunter asks, shaking his head. "I don't understand. You're making it sound like Ella's mother was the head of the fucking mob or something."

"Not the mob, no," Evelyn says, huffing out a humorless laugh. His shoulders drop in relief. " Le Milieu is the French Mafia, and Charlotte was the head of the entire organization."

"What the fuck?" he rasps, his body trembling.

She ignores him and locks eyes with me. Something in her gaze sends shivers of apprehension down my spine. I instinctively know I'm going to hate whatever she says next.

"And like all those in power, she had many enemies. But there was one man who sought to steal everything from her. To take her and her wealth no matter the cost. An enemy who destroyed us once before, burned us to the ground and disappeared only to reappear a few years ago. Before, he was nothing but a lowly member of the Circle. Now, he's created his own empire with many supporters who rival the power of Le Milieu ."

"If this mafia is that powerful, has that much money, why can't you just…" Hunter trails off and shrugs. "Have the asshole killed?"

Evelyn grins, but I'm too busy trying to keep from throwing up to smile. "Oh, there's nothing we'd love more than to destroy the sick fucker, but it's not that simple."

"Sure it is," he snaps. "I'll fucking do it right now. If you're saying the guy could be after Ella, then I'll kill him. I'll end the threat before it touches her."

"I commend your bravery, Hunter, but I'm afraid it's too late for that. He is very much already after our girl."

Her fingers drum an annoying pattern on the wooden table as she stares off in the distance.

" Le Milieu is not as strong as we once were. Though Char left behind immense wealth, it's not like there are stacks of bills we could use ourselves to do what needs to be done. The riches aren't easily accessible, which is the root of the problem. We don't have the money or connections it will take to defeat him and his allies. He spent many years pursuing your mother, all with the hopes of taking her legacy and wealth for himself. It's an obsession for him."

"But I have nothing," I say, not understanding. "Even if I'm her daughter, I have nothing. Why would he come after me?"

"You're not understanding, Ella," she murmurs sympathetically. "You're the last Moreau. Every penny, every mile of land, every supporter and enemy, every weapon at our disposal…it's yours."

Somehow, I'm not shocked by her declaration. Somehow, I think I already knew this was coming and I'm now too numb to care.

"Jesus fucking Christ," Hunter mutters, swallowing hard. He tightens his grip on my cheeks and releases a slow breath. "Okay. Okay, we can handle this. It's fine." He glances over his shoulder. "We'll come back to that. For now, who were the masks last night? Are they connected to this man who was after Charlotte? Is he coming for Ella now?"

"Yes." She sighs, rubbing her brows. "We've had a team watching him for years. He mostly remains hidden or outside of the country. But last night, something changed. It all happened so quickly, they must have known they were being watched. It's the only explanation. Our surveillance team called in for backup as soon as they realized his men were headed to you. By the time we arrived, there was already a fight. We—"

"You were there," I cut in, but it sounds like an accusation. Leaning forward, I grip the table. "What did you see? I was with Hunter. I…" I swallow bile, remembering those devastating moments before I was taken. "I didn't see what happened to my guys. Did they…are they…" A sob bubbles up my throat. I can't even say it.

Hunter pushes to his feet and picks me up, wrapping me in his arms. I scramble to move, scared of hurting him, but he ignores me, tucking me against his chest. The second I'm in his hold, my muscles finally relax.

"They're not dead," Evelyn quickly says. "The last I saw them, they were kicking ass and putting those vile supporters of Augustus on their asses." She smiles approvingly. "They're badasses, your men."

"They were alive?" I ask, unable to focus on anything else. "They were all okay?"

"Yes," she agrees. "But we left before the fight had ended. A second team arrived after we pulled you and Hunter out, but your men were already gone. Our people took care of clean up, and ensured all the party guests wouldn't speak of what they saw." Reaching forward, she grips my knee firmly. "We are searching for them, Ella. Daniel and I know how much they mean to you. We will not abandon them, I promise."

I release a shaky breath and nod. "Thank you."

My body melts into Hunter's as everything I've learned today filters through me. But then something Evelyn said before finally clicks in my exhausted mind.

"Wait. Did you say Augustus' supporters?"

"Unfortunately, yes." She bobs her head, looking ill. "Augustus Luna is the man who was after your mother. And now, sweetheart, it seems he's after you."

Holy shit.

Like a burst of painful, bright lightning, everything comes racing back to me. Every word, every memory. Char and Miles teaching me everything they could, promising to keep me safe. Madeline reading to me under the big tree in our massive backyard. The story Gage and Maddox told me about their childhoods. The way their mom was killed. The explosion.

My chest cracks open, and I suck in a sharp breath.

"Our father has always been fucked up, but that night destroyed him, like a lot of others. Nyxon's last remaining relative, his father, Elijah King, was killed. He was an amazing person and a wonderful dad. Both of Stone's parents were killed as well. Lucas and Mia Hendrix were terrible people and even worse parents, but they were all the family Stone had and Charlotte and Miles killed them ruthlessly, just like our mom."

I remember that night. A night I thought was nothing more than a twisted nightmare. I watched everything from outside that window, and what I saw…

It's not what the guys think happened. Not even close. Miles and Charlotte aren't the ones who started the fight. They didn't shoot Gage and Madd's mom or kill Nyx's dad. They're not the ones who ended the lives of the Hendrix's or anyone else.

It was all him . The bad man with the angry face and the gun.

The room spins and I have to drop my head between my legs to keep myself from throwing up.

"Who makes you feel afraid, Skylar?"

"Mr. Luna."

It was Augustus behind everything. He was the man who killed my parents. Who destroyed so many lives. The man with the angry face who haunted my nightmares for so many years.

He's the man who hired Eric Keaton, who put me in the hands of the people that tried to ruin my life. And all for what? Money? From what Gage and the guys have said, Augustus has money of his own. He's built his own empire. Why does he need…mine?

The Princess of the Bay.

I shake my head. I can't focus on that now. I've waited my entire life to discover who I am, and now that I have, I don't care. I can't. Not yet.

"Does Augustus have my men?" My gaze collides with Evelyn's familiar one. "Did he take them?"

"We believe so, yes."

She pulls out her phone and scrolls for a moment before sliding it across the table. Hunter grabs it, turning the screen to display a blurry photo. It appears to be from a traffic camera displaying a series of black SUVs identical to the ones from last night.

"When our shadow team arrived, things were chaotic. Bobby was sent to retrieve you. The Surgeon and Daniel got to Hunter first. And Ghost went in for your men, but he was attacked. We had no choice but to retreat. But before we left, he took in as much information as possible. Augustus' men arrived in nine vehicles. Our tech team was able to trace eight back to the Diablos compound. This is the last photo we have of the ninth before it disappeared."

"Why would he take his own sons?" Hunter grunts as he starts up a soothing pattern against my thigh. "It makes no sense."

My mind swirls, trying to piece the puzzle together. "The guys hate Gus," I murmur, my brows furrowing. "They've been working against him for a long time. Trying to take him down. They said if he ever found out about their betrayal, he'd kill them."

Oh, God. Is that what he's doing right now? Has he already done it? What if we're too late? My stomach twists painfully, and I bury my face in my hands to stifle another sob. I'm falling apart. I don't think I'll be able to take much more before I lose it completely.

"They're alive, Isabella," she vows. "They are far too valuable to him to risk right now. We believe that's why they've been taken."

"For what?" Hunter barks, and she winces, glancing away. "Just spit it out, Evelyn!"

I should tell him to relax, or admonish him for speaking to her in such a way, but right now, I can't find it in me to care. More than that, I'm thankful for Hunter taking control when I can't. He's my oldest friend. I trust him to take care of me in all ways, even if it means being my voice.

"Many years ago, your grandfather made a deal with the Devil." Her delicate throat bobs. "He was a greedy bastard. An asshole to everyone. But he truly hated Char. Didn't see her as a child, but a pawn to further his wealth. He'd been desperate to strengthen his foreign ties, especially in South America. Augustus came along and offered him a deal. Your mother for ties to the Diaz Cartel."

"He sold her?" I gasp at her sad nod. "How could he do that?"

I know nothing of my grandfather. Until this afternoon, I didn't know I'd had one. But as the pieces come together, Gage and Maddox's story from months ago ricochets through me. If I am Charlotte's daughter, then that means my grandfather was the head of Le Milieu in San Francisco. He died of cancer before his eldest son took over. The son was killed. A year later, Charlotte's second brother was also killed.

And then she was.

Am I next?

"She was promised to Augustus upon her twenty-first birthday, but her father died months before the wedding took place. Everything was passed to Charlotte and she broke the contract with Gus, marrying Miles instead. I believe that's what started his obsession with getting her back. Not because of love or any type of affection, but because he felt as though he was owed her and all she came with.

"But your mother wanted nothing to do with him. Instead, she took her revenge and demoted him from the position he held by your grandfather's side. I'm pretty sure she would have exiled him if it hadn't been for her friendship with his wife, Carmen, and her love for his small sons. Instead of being a confidant of Le Milieu , he became just another member of the Circle. His voice was no longer any more powerful than the rest of ours." She smirks. "It was extremely gratifying to watch."

I can imagine it would be, but I don't think I'd be happy with anything except watching a bullet fly through his skull for all the pain he's caused.

There's a bloodthirsty look I've never seen on sweet Evelyn's face and for some reason, it makes me feel better about my own murderous thoughts.

"Why would he try to marry my mother if he already had a wife?"

Her lip curls. "Agustus had his sons with Carmen before they were married. She was one of many women on the side. He only married her later to solidify his standing in the Circle, to make himself look better. It had nothing to do with love. He would have left Carmen just as quickly as he'd married her if Charlotte would have agreed."

Hunter's head cocks to the side and I notice he's idly rubbing his shoulder above his bandages. He must be in so much pain.

"Do you think he's transferred his obsession with power over to Ella?" he asks, making me cringe. "Does he want to marry her?"

"That's exactly what I think he wants. However, it's not that simple. Gus would need much more than to put an ugly ring on your finger to gain access to the Les Beaux Voyous fortune. Not to mention the army he'd need to get through now that you're safe."

"And what does this have to do with the guys? They have their own wealth. Is he after that as well?"

She shrugs. "I have no doubt he'll take everything he can from them before this is all over."

I flinch as though I've been slapped, and my eyes cloud over. I don't want them to lose everything they've worked so hard for. My guys started with absolutely nothing and worked their asses off to have legitimate businesses and a home they love. I don't know what I'd do if I were the cause of them losing any of it.

"Gus is a horrendous human being, Ella. I've met a lot of people who'd serve this world better if they were never in it, so believe me when I say that Augustus Luna is worse than most of them combined. He will destroy everyone and everything in his way, if given the opportunity. But we've been watching him for a long time. We know his moves."

"What do you mean?" Hunter asks.

Leaning forward, she gives us a serious look.

"Augustus is going to use your men to lure you out of hiding," she states bluntly. "And to get them back, we're going to have to let him."