Seduction In Ink

Chapter 43

Uncovering Lies

Tyler leaned back on the couch with a half-empty whiskey bottle, ignoring the TV's flickering images. Isabela's face filled his thoughts—her smile, the sound of her voice—all reminders of the woman who shattered his heart. He was heartbroken by his first love, and her absence never healed.

The doorbell rang, cutting through his haze of regret. He ignored it at first, assuming it was only Zek. After all, who else would bother visiting him? Allysa was in jail, Isabela was gone, and his circle had shrunk to almost no one. But the bell kept ringing, sharp and persistent.

Tyler grunted and got up, swearing. He peered through the peephole, but the hallway was empty. Irritated, he yanked the door open, only to catch sight of the elevator doors closing. Annoyance surged. As he turned back, something solid connected with his foot, and he stumbled, nearly losing his balance. A box. He hadn't noticed it before.

He stared at the package suspiciously for a moment before deciding it didn't look dangerous. Carrying it inside, Tyler set it on the table, then sank back into the couch. His phone buzzed, and the number on the screen was unfamiliar. He answered cautiously.

"Who the hell is this?" Tyler demanded.

A cold, mocking voice replied, "No need for introductions, Tyler. The question is, have you opened the box yet?"

His heart thudded in his chest as curiosity overcame him. He tore the box open, finding an envelope inside. Slide out its contents, his blood froze. Photos of Isabela smiling with Zek. One showed them laughing together on a beach, another had them sitting close at a table, smiling like they shared a secret.

"Your brother betrayed you, Tyler," the voice taunted. "He knows where Isabela is. Ask yourself why he hasn't told you."

Tyler's hand shook as he tightened his grip on the phone, his mind spinning with anger and disbelief. "You're lying," he growled, though a seed of doubt had already been planted.

"Am I?" The voice chuckled darkly. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Tyler hung up, fury swirling within him. He drained the last of the whiskey, barely feeling the burn. Without realizing it, he sent his private investigator the location he had asked from the voice. Whoever was messing with him wasn't going to get away with it. Not this time.

***

Isabela woke early, the room dimly lit by the first light of dawn. She moved through the small house silently, careful not to wake Zek. Every morning, she cooked, cleaned, and entertained herself. But today, her heart was restless. She was returning to the city soon, to Tyler, the man she truly loved.

After finishing her chores, she slipped outside to watch the sunrise, letting the cold air calm her nerves. The horizon glowed softly, a moment of peace before the storm. Her thoughts were tangled—Tyler, Zek, and the mess she had left behind. She needed to face Tyler, to explain everything, but the fear of his reaction gnawed at her.

A voice suddenly cut through her solitude. "Isabela."

She turned, startled, as the sound echoed on the breeze.

***

Zek looked at his phone at the beach, eager to connect. Nothing. He swore under his breath. The empty house had been the first clue that something was wrong. Isabela had left—without a word, after making breakfast, like nothing was amiss. But her absence felt like a betrayal. And now, his tires were flat, both front and back, leaving him stranded.

Frustration boiled within him. He paced, scanning the quiet, empty road. No help was coming. Suddenly, the sound of an approaching car broke the silence. Hope surged—until he saw Tyler's face, grim and furious, as he stepped out.

"Tyler, I was going to call you—" Zek began but never completed. Tyler's punch hit his jaw, knocking him down.

The fight erupted, raw and brutal. Fists flew as they rolled in the sand, rage pouring out with each punch. Blood smeared their faces as the fury of betrayal spilled over. They fought until they were too exhausted to continue.

"You betrayed me, Zek," Tyler spat, his chest heaving, his eyes wild with anger.

Zek, gasping for breath, wiped blood from his mouth, his head spinning. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Tyler threw the photos onto the sand between them. "Did you like her? Huh? Did you?"

Zek stared at the images, his mind struggling to process the accusations. "Tyler, it's not what you think—"

"Then tell me!" Tyler demanded, his voice raw, trembling with emotion. "Why were you with her? Why didn't you tell me where she is?"

Zek swallowed hard, pain flickering in his eyes. "Isabela doesn't love me, Tyler. She made that clear. I was just... there. A friend."

Tyler's anger faltered, giving way to confusion. "Then why were you with her?"

Zek hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "I don't know how this all looks, but I didn't betray you, Tyler. Someone's setting us up."

Tyler clenched his fists, feeling the weight of Zek's words. Could someone be manipulating them? Could the photos be part of a bigger game?

"I don't know who's behind this," Tyler muttered, "but we need to find Isabela before something worse happens."

***

As the car sped down the highway, the tension between the brothers had shifted. The photos and accusations were fresh, but Tyler's mind was racing toward a bigger problem—James. Something about the man had always bothered him.

Zek broke the silence. "Tyler, there's something you need to know about James. I've been looking into his background."

Tyler glanced at Zek, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "What about him?"

Zek's voice was steady but grim. "James isn't who he says he is. He's been stalking Isabela for months. He's the one who's been sending those messages—Blacknight14."

Tyler's heart pounded as Zek's words sank in. He had known James was bad news, but this... This was worse than he'd imagined.

"He's been working with Allysa," Zek added, frustration lacing his tone. "They're planning something. I overheard them talking."

Tyler cursed under his breath. He had been blind, trusting the wrong people. But no more.

Meanwhile, Isabela, sitting beside James, felt her chest tighten with fear. Something wasn't right. She had been deceived.

"Stop the car, James," she demanded, her voice shaky but firm.

James kept his eyes on the road, his grip on the wheel tightening. "Isabela, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft but dangerous.Bottom of Form