Cнα⅊тɛʀ 49

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Elian's P.O.V


Elijah had never been this nervous before. His composure, usually solid as stone, was cracking. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the table, his eyes distant yet burning with restrained fury. He was thinking about Nora—I could tell. Though he tried to mask it, his clenched jaw and the restless way his leg bounced under the table betrayed him. 

We had no idea what had happened to her. No idea if she was even still alive. 

I exhaled sharply, my own anxiety pressing against my ribs. “How did they know she was at Mark’s place? Unless Mark—” I paused, gauging Elijah’s reaction. “Unless Mark betrayed us.” 

His tapping stopped. A muscle in his jaw twitched. For a second, I thought he hadn't heard me. Then, in a voice laced with ice, he said, “No. Not Mark. If he had told them, I would’ve known. It was someone else.” 

I frowned. If not Mark, then who? The only other person who knew was— 

“Nina?” I asked, almost reluctant to even consider it. That little girl wouldn’t do something like this. 

“No,” Elijah dismissed the idea without hesitation. “Who else knew?” 

I didn’t answer. Because we both knew the answer. Someone inside had sold us out. 

His fingers curled into a fist, his knuckles turning white. “I can’t believe my own people betrayed me.” His voice was quiet, but that was the most dangerous kind of anger—the kind that simmered beneath the surface, waiting to erupt. 

I swallowed. Whoever had turned against him had picked the wrong side. Rico and Steven weren’t the kind of men you trusted. They used people, discarded them like trash. Eventually, the traitor would be eliminated, but until then, the damage had already been done. 

Elijah pushed back his chair abruptly, standing with a sharp exhale. “How long will it take to track her location?” His tone was clipped, patience wearing thin. 

“It’ll take some time, brother,” I said with a small, forced smile, trying to keep him level-headed. Because if we didn’t find her fast… she’d be dead. 

His stare bore into me. “You never told me why you took responsibility for Nora.” His tone was edged with something unreadable. 

He didn’t answer. 

I folded my arms. “She had no experience, and we only hire the best. Why her? I know her background is a mess, and yeah, Lucas was—” I hesitated, then continued, “Was it really just because of him?” 

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