THIRD PERSON POV
Ace drove in silence.
The city blurred past his windows. Light, noise, motion but none of it touched him. His knuckles were white around the steering wheel, jaw tight enough to ache.
He'd promised himself he wouldn't lose control. Not again.
But the moment Sharon said his father's name, every wall he'd built inside him cracked.
Victor Langley.
Of course it had to be him.
When he finally pulled up outside Zion's apartment, the familiar calm of the place did little to ease him. Zion was already waiting by the window, curtains half open, morning light spilling across the room
"You come to my house too often now," Zion said, "That's not like you. Sit"
Zion said simply, not looking up right away as he poured two glasses of water. No whiskey, no pretense just water.
"I told you this was going to happen," Ace said finally, voice calm but edged. "They're making their move faster than expected."
Zion followed, tossing the glass aside. "You keep saying they like you don't share their blood."
Ace stopped. Turned slowly. "Don't start with that."
"I'm just saying," Zion shrugged. "Your family's empire is built on manipulation, at least I know that now. You think they'll just let you walk away with Sharon without a fight?"
"She's not part of this," Ace said. "She never will be."
Zion's lips curled into a thin smile. "That's what you think. But she's already in it. If your family is as dangerous as you explain and if Diana's involved…" he trailed off, shaking his head. "You're running out of time."
Ace's stare hardened. "Then I'll make the decision for them."
Zion tilted his head. "What decision?"
Ace hesitated, just for a breath. "To cut them off, for good and make them pay. But I need proof first. Something that ties all of them together in this mess."
Zion frowned. "And you think you'll find that before they make their next move?"
"They already did," Ace muttered. "He went after Sharon."
That caught Zion's attention. "What?"
"Just yesterday," Ace said, voice low. "He asked her out at a lunch he claimed was a meeting. She didn't tell me until this morning."
Zion cursed under his breath. "Damn it."
Ace looked at him. "Are we doing this together or what?"
Zion looks at him, doubt clearly showing on his face.
" You've known her longer. Then maybe you should call her. Or Maxie. Ask what happened with Victor Langley yourself. Maybe then you'll believe I'm not being paranoid."
Zion's expression shifted uneasy, but curious.
" I do not just think you are paranoid , I think you want to make this a business opportunity"
Aec is angry but gives no reaction to what Zion said. Zion pulled out his phone, staring at the screen for a moment before sliding it back into his pocket.
"I'll think about reaching out to them," he said.
"Think, you say?," Ace replied, turning away. "By the time you make up your mind, they'll already have decided for you"
Zion brought out his phone. His thumb hovered over Sharon's contact for a long second, hesitation flickering across his face. Then he exhaled, swiped away, and scrolled down to Maxie instead.
The line rang twice.
"Hey," Maxie's voice came through, a little rushed. "Zion? What's up?"
He leaned back against the table, tone casual. "Nothing much. Just wanted to check on Sharon. She doing okay?"
There was a brief pause, like she hadn't expected the question. "Sharon? Yeah, she's fine. Just tired, I guess. Why?"
"Just checking," he said lightly, forcing a smile she couldn't see. "Haven't heard from her since the last meeting. Thought maybe she caught a bug or something."
Maxie chuckled. "Nah, she's good. Probably sleeping off a hangover or pretending she isn't. Anyway, I'm a little busy right now. Can I call you back later?"
"Sure," he said easily. "Take care, Maxie."
The line clicked.
Zion stayed still for a moment, the phone still in his hand. Something about her voice too quick, too rehearsed didn't sit right.
He looked up at Ace, who had been silently watching from across the room. "She says Sharon's fine."
Ace's brow furrowed. "And you don't believe her."
Zion shrugged. "I didn't say that." He slipped his phone into his pocket, straightening. "But I also don't believe your father leaves things at 'inappropriate comments.'"
Ace crossed his arms. "You think he's planning something?"
"I think," Zion said carefully, "if he's going after Sharon, it's because there's a reason bigger than her. And that reason is something we must know."
Ace frowned. "Does that mean you believe me now?"
Zion's gaze met his, ignoring his question. "Camila Langley has always been the shadow behind Victor's actions. If he's making a move, she knows. Maybe even started it."
Ace's jaw tightened. "Why do you sound so assured, like you know her!"
" Well, that's what my mother had to say about her" Zion scoffed
" So what do you suggest?"
Zion walked to the window, pulling the curtain aside just enough to let a thin line of sunlight cut through the room. "We go there."
Ace blinked. "To their house?"
"Yes."
Ace let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "You're out of your mind."
"Maybe... you'll prove to me that you are doing this for Sharon's safety" Zion turned, expression calm but eyes sharp. "But I'll call Mrs. Camila first, make sure she's home. You'll come a few minutes later."
Aec just looks at him, his countenance blank and cold before Zion countinued...
"We go separately. If she's in, you can talk to Victor directly, see how much he's willing to say when he doesn't think anyone's listening."
Ace's face hardened. "You want me to spy on Victor "
"Not spy on your father Aec," Zion corrected simply. "Confirm."
Silence fell... Very heavy
Ace studied him for a moment, the muscle in his jaw twitching. "And what happens if you confirm it? If he really did what I said he did?"
Zion stepped closer, voice low. "Then I make a deal with you. We retaliate this quietly. Before Sharon gets caught in the crossfire."
Ace stared at him, eyes dark. "You think it'll be that easy?"
Zion smirked faintly, sliding his phone out again. "With the Langleys? Never. But it'll be a start."
He scrolled to Mrs. Camila Langley and pressed call.
The phone rang twice before a smooth, elegant voice came through.
"Zion. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
He smiled faintly. "Good morning, Mrs. Langley. I was hoping to drop by, there's something I need to discuss. Privately."
"Of course," she replied. "I'll be home."
"Perfect," he said. "I'll be there shortly."
When he hung up, he glanced back at Ace. "She's expecting me."
Ace gave a short nod, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Then I'll follow ten minutes after."
Zion's lips curved slightly. "Good. Let's see how deep this family hole goes."