Chasing Shadows

Chapter Forty-Eight: Diverging Paths

Rhea’s base of operations was always meticulously clean and orderly, a testament to her obsessive need for control. Every item, every piece of equipment was in its designated place, and the stark lighting only enhanced the sense of sterile precision. It was the kind of environment that made people feel on edge if they didn’t belong.

And yet, Zane stood in the middle of it, feeling strangely detached. The chatter of voices around him felt muffled, as if he were hearing everything through a thick pane of glass. Rhea was introducing him to a group of people—a mix of well-dressed professionals and rugged mercenaries, all carefully selected to expand their network and influence.

“Everyone, this is Zane,” Rhea announced smoothly, her voice carrying that perfect blend of authority and allure. “My most trusted partner and one of the finest operatives you’ll ever meet.”

There were murmurs of acknowledgment, nods of approval, and a few scrutinizing glances. Zane offered a tight smile, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. He answered questions with practiced ease, slipping into the role Rhea had crafted for him long ago. The efficient, enigmatic right-hand man.

But even as he spoke, his mind was elsewhere.

Some part of him—a part he was desperately trying to ignore—kept replaying the last night he’d spent at Ethan’s apartment. The quiet murmur of Ethan’s voice, the way his fingers had brushed against Zane’s skin with that unspoken familiarity. And the way he’d looked so lost and vulnerable, his eyes searching for answers Zane couldn’t give.

Zane forced the memory down, burying it beneath layers of icy resolve.

“Zane?”

He blinked, realizing Rhea was watching him expectantly. The entire room seemed to have shifted, the attention now focused solely on him. He cleared his throat, straightening.

“Yes?”

Rhea’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something like annoyance crossing her face before she masked it with a smile. “I was just saying that you’ll be working closely with them on a few upcoming assignments. Expanding our reach, increasing our influence in the city’s underworld.”

“Of course,” Zane said automatically, his voice steady. He glanced at the people around him—strangers who were now meant to be his allies. “I’ll do whatever’s necessary.”

“Good,” Rhea murmured, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer, as if she were searching for something. Then she turned back to the group, resuming the conversation as if nothing had happened.

Zane nodded along, his expression composed, but inside, there was a gnawing emptiness. He should feel a sense of satisfaction—Rhea had brought him here to prove a point, to show that he was needed, that he had a place and a purpose. And yet…

What the hell am I doing here?

The thought flared up, unbidden and unwanted. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to squash it down, but it lingered, a stubborn, insistent whisper.

He glanced around the room again, catching the approving looks and speculative glances sent his way. It should have felt good. It *did* feel good, in a way. But there was something missing—something crucial that made all of this feel hollow.

Ethan.

Zane’s fingers twitched, and he shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them still. He wasn’t supposed to think about Ethan. That part of his life was over. He had to move on, had to focus on the future, on what really*
mattered.

But even now, surrounded by people who admired and respected him, all he could think about was how he’d rather be somewhere else. With someone else.

Rhea’s voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and commanding. “We’ll be heading to the docks for the next meeting,” she said, her gaze flicking to Zane. “You’ll join me, won’t you?”