Chasing Shadows

Chapter Fifty-Six: Echoes in the Dark

Zane stood silently by the bed, his gaze lingering on Ethan’s sleeping form. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft, silvery shadows across Ethan’s face, making him look almost ethereal—fragile in a way Zane hadn’t seen in a long time.

Slowly, Zane leaned down, his hand hovering above Ethan’s hair for a moment before he pulled back, his expression conflicted. Being so close to him again… it was intoxicating. Dangerous. He’d sworn to himself that he wouldn’t do this—that he wouldn’t get drawn back into Ethan’s orbit. But seeing him tonight, so lost and vulnerable, had shattered every last shred of resolve he had left.

He took a step back, his chest tightening painfully. What was he doing here? Why had he come? He’d promised himself-promised—that he would stay away. That it was for the best.

But then tonight had happened.

Tonight, he’d seen Ethan looking so broken, so utterly defeated, that something inside of him had snapped. All his defenses, all his carefully constructed walls had crumbled in an instant, leaving him bare and exposed. And he’d found himself reaching out—touching, comforting, being the person Ethan had needed.

Just for one night, he told himself silently, watching as Ethan shifted slightly in his sleep, his brow furrowing before smoothing out again. One night doesn’t change anything.

But even as he thought that, a small, bitter smile tugged at his lips. He was lying to himself. One night had changed everything.

He turned away, his movements slow and deliberate as he walked to the window. The city stretched out below him, the lights twinkling like a thousand tiny stars. He stared out at the view, his mind drifting back to Ethan’s words, to the name that had slipped from his lips in a drunken haze.

Callum.

Zane’s jaw tightened, his gaze narrowing slightly. Ethan had been complaining about him. Hating him. But why? Ethan wasn’t the kind of person to dislike someone without reason. If he had an issue with Callum, then it had to be more than just a petty grudge.

Curiosity flickered in Zane’s chest—a dangerous, simmering thing that had always been his weakness. He’d never been able to let things go, especially when it came to Ethan. And now, that curiosity was tugging at him, demanding answers.

With a sigh, Zane pulled his phone from his pocket, his fingers moving swiftly as he searched for Callum’s name. It didn’t take long for the results to appear, the screen lighting up with articles, photos, and reports.

He scrolled through them, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information. Callum Knight—a young, ambitious hero who’d recently joined the ranks of the city’s finest. He was talented, skilled, and… Zane’s brows furrowed slightly. Asher’s new sidekick.

“So that’s it…” Zane muttered under his breath, his grip on the phone tightening. Ethan had mentioned that Asher liked Callum. That he’d been treating him with favor. If Asher had taken Callum under his wing, then it meant only one thing: Callum was being groomed to be Asher’s successor. To take Ethan’s place.

Zane felt a cold, simmering anger coil in his chest. He didn’t like this kid already. There was something about him—something off. He kept scrolling, searching through articles, interviews, anything that might give him more insight into who Callum really was.

But there was nothing. No scandals, no controversies. Callum’s record was spotless. He was exactly what he appeared to be: a golden boy, shining bright under Asher’s guidance.

Zane’s eyes narrowed, his fingers tapping lightly against the edge of his phone. It was too perfect. Too… clean.

He glanced back at the bed, at the way Ethan’s face twisted slightly in his sleep, as if he were caught in some troubling dream. Zane’s gaze softened for a moment, his chest tightening painfully. Ethan was in pain because of this kid. He could feel it, sense it in every word Ethan had mumbled, in every tense line of his body.

No, Zane thought, his jaw setting in determination. I’m not letting this slide.

Slowly, a plan began to form in his mind—one that was risky, reckless, and exactly the kind of thing Ethan would disapprove of. But Zane didn’t care. He wasn’t going to sit back and watch as some arrogant newcomer waltzed in and upended everything Ethan had worked for. Ethan had given too much, sacrificed too much, to be cast aside like this.

His lips curled into a small, dangerous smile as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. He turned away from the window, his gaze lingering on Ethan for one last moment before he made his way quietly out of the bedroom, his footsteps soft and measured.

He’d find out more about Callum. He’d dig deeper—find the cracks, the flaws. And then he’d decide what to do.

Because there was no way in hell he was letting Callum take what was rightfully Ethan’s.

As he slipped out of the apartment, the door closing silently behind him, a sense of purpose settled over him—a dark, determined resolve that thrummed through his veins.

Let Callum think he was safe. Let him bask in Asher’s favor.

It wouldn’t last long.

Zane’s smile widened slightly, a flicker of something almost predatory flashing in his eyes.

After all, the night was still young. And he had a plan to put into motion.