The hum of the private jet filled the cabin as Lydia stared out the window, the city lights shrinking beneath her.
Dubai. That was where he was.
Jaden Steele — the man who turned her world upside down and then vanished into the desert heat.
She clutched the envelope Ryan had handed her before takeoff — Jaden's itinerary, hotel address, and a warning written at the bottom:
> "Trust no one."
She leaned back, running her fingers through her hair.
How could he think she'd hate him after everything?
If only he knew she didn't want revenge — she wanted answers, closure… maybe even him.
A flight attendant appeared beside her. "Miss Callahan, would you like some champagne?"
Lydia smiled faintly. "No, thank you. Just water."
She needed her mind clear.
Every instinct told her this wasn't just a business trip — it was a rescue mission.
Hours later, as dawn broke over the Arabian Gulf, Lydia stepped off the jet into the golden heat of Dubai.
Her driver — a suited man holding a sign that read "Ms. Steele" — ushered her into a sleek black Rolls-Royce.
"Ms. Steele?" she repeated with a raised brow.
The driver didn't look back. "Mr. Steele instructed us to expect you under that name."
Her pulse jumped.
He knew she'd come.
The car wove through the city — past shimmering towers of glass and steel — until it stopped before the Burj Al Qasr, one of the most luxurious hotels in the city.
Inside, the scent of jasmine and leather filled the lobby.
Lydia barely had time to check in before a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Lydia?"
She froze.
He was standing by the marble staircase — tall, impossibly composed, dressed in black like the night itself.
Jaden.
Their eyes met.
For a second, neither of them spoke — the world just… stopped.
Then his expression hardened. "You shouldn't have come here."
Her heart twisted. "You expected me to sit back while someone tried to kill you?"
He glanced around sharply. "Keep your voice down."
"I'm not leaving, Jaden."
His jaw clenched. "This isn't a game. You don't understand what's at stake."
She took a step closer, voice trembling but fierce. "Then make me understand."
A flicker of emotion — fear, maybe longing — passed through his eyes before he turned away.
"Meet me on the rooftop at midnight. If you're still sure you want answers… I'll give them to you."
---
Later that night, the rooftop glowed under the city's skyline.
Lydia waited by the infinity pool, her reflection dancing with the stars.
When Jaden appeared, the air shifted.
He poured two glasses of wine, but his tone was dark.
"I built Steele Industries on lies to protect your family. And now those lies are coming for me."
Lydia swallowed hard. "Then let me help."
He gave a soft, broken laugh. "Help? Lydia, the moment you stepped off that plane, you became a target."
She met his eyes, unwavering. "Then I guess we're both targets now."
He stared at her — for a long, endless second — then set the glass down and pulled her close.
The rooftop lights flickered, and the city below seemed to vanish.
For the first time in weeks, Jaden's voice softened.
"You have no idea what you mean to me, Lydia."
And before she could reply, his lips met hers
— desperate, furious, real.
But somewhere below them, a sniper adjusted his scope.