Chapter 23 – The Enemy's Heart
The warehouse smelled of oil and saltwater.
Clara sat against a metal pole, wrists tied, trying not to panic.
"Relax," came a low voice from the shadows.
She looked up — and gasped.
"You?"
It was Aiden, the man who'd been so kind to her recently, the one who'd brought her coffee and offered her rides when Ethan was too busy.
Aiden sighed. "I didn't want this to happen, Clara."
"Then untie me!"
"I can't," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "It wasn't supposed to go this far. They only wanted leverage over Ethan. But now…"
His voice cracked.
Clara blinked, confusion swirling with fear. "Why are you doing this?"
He met her gaze, and for a heartbeat, she saw something raw — guilt, pain, and something terrifyingly close to love.
"Because I fell for you," he said quietly. "And I'm about to lose you to a man who doesn't even know what he has."
Her heart twisted painfully.