90 Worry
CHAPTER 90
~Author’s POV~
-Moments Earlier-
Meanwhile, in Andrew Blake’s office, Andrew sat behind his sleek glass desk, his usual easy confidence replaced by a grim expression as he stared out the massive floor–to–ceiling window of his penthouse
office.
The cityscape before him was mere background to the more pressing matter weighing on his mind.
He kept thinking about the accidental listening to Zara’s intense conversation with her family.
He didn’t typically meddle in personal affairs, but the urgency in Zara’s voice, the hints of desperation—it had tugged at something deeper within him and so he refrained from ending the call.
He sighed and tapped his phone screen to end the last call. He leaned back in his familiar leather chair,
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feeling it support him as he thought about everything that had happened.
This was far more than a business partnership; Ivan’s involvement made it a personal vendetta for Zara, and knowing her resilience, Andrew knew she wouldn’t step down easily.
But he also knew Ivan and how the man thrived on manipulation, using people’s weaknesses against them until they had nothing left.
Andrew’s fingers hovered over the intercom
embedded in his desk, the shining chrome reflecting the soft lighting. He pressed down, speaking clearly as he gave the order. “I need Damon Dark now.” 2
He raised his finger and took a slow breath, preparing himself for what lay ahead. In two minutes, a strong
knock sounded in the office.
The door opened to reveal a man dressed in all black— his commanding presence was sharp and unassuming, like a shadow brought to life.
Damon’s tall figure was clad in a black leather coat, and a faint wisp of smoke drifted from the cigarette he held between his fingers.
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“Boss?” Damon’s voice was low, his dark gaze resting on Andrew as he took another puff, exhaling slowly before flicking ash into the small metal tray on a side
table.
Andrew inclined his head, gesturing for Damon to take a seat. “I have a task that requires your expertise. There’s been a development involving the Zarek family’s company–one that appears to be linked to Ivan Zephyr.”
Damon’s eyebrows lifted just slightly, his eyes narrowing as he took another slow drag from his cigarette. He didn’t say anything but nodded for Andrew to continue, understanding immediately that this was a delicate matter.
“I need you to look into it for me,” Andrew continued, keeping his voice steady. “Find every trace of wrongdoing. I want to know the names–the connections—and how deep this goes. If there are documents, evidence, or any kind of leverage to expose, bring it to me.”
Damon considered the request, tapping his cigarette
against the tray, his gaze sharp and calculating. “Understood. You want them… alive?”
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Andrew met his gaze, a hint of amusement flickering across his expression. “Alive is preferable, yes. I want to know exactly how they forced Zarek’s hand. This isn’t a simple transaction. I want the facts, and I want the leverage.”
Damon extinguished his cigarette, pressing the butt into the ashtray carefully. He stood with a relaxed posture, but every movement was intentional. “I’ll start immediately. Anything else?”
Andrew shook his head, a small smile tugging at the
corner of his mouth. “That’s all. Report back once you have something concrete.”
With a silent nod, Damon turned, his black coat
swaying as he exited the office, leaving Andrew alone
once more.
Andrew knew he couldn’t let Zara face this alone, not when Ivan was willing to cross any line to achieve his goals.
Andrew leaned back, his fingers steepled as he looked out at the city lights once more. He’d built his empire on strategy, but this was different. This was personal, and he would ensure Ivan Zephyr knew that Zara
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Zarek had more than just family supporting her.
***
-Snow’s POV-
It was evening when I returned to the packhouse. I barely had time to park my car when I spotted Aira pacing by the front door, her brows drawn in worry, eyes flicking up at the house every few seconds.
She stopped the second she saw me and practically ran over, her expression more tense than I’d ever seen.
“She’s gone,” she blurted out, barely giving me a chance to step inside.
I frowned. “Who is? Koda, Tempest, or…?”
Aira shook her head impatiently. “It’s Zara, Snow. She left. No goodbye, no note–she just left.”
I felt a strange jolt of panic as my thoughts scrambled.
Zara? Leaving? Without a word?
That didn’t sound like her, not after everything that had happened. She would have told me… right?
I didn’t wait for Aira to explain further. My instincts
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kicked in, and I dashed into the house, heading straight for the stairs.
“Zara?!”
Aira’s voice trailed after me, trying to explain, but I was already halfway up to our room, my heart thudding louder with each step.
“Zara!”
As I reached the bedroom, the silence was deafening. The door creaked open slowly, almost hesitantly, as though the room itself knew something was wrong.
I stepped inside, my gaze sweeping over every corner. Her usual things–the book she left scattered by the armchair, the few items of hers in the closet, her shoes tucked by the bed–were all gone.
I swallowed hard, the realisation hitting me like a punch. She had left. No goodbye, no note, no indication of where she’d gone.
My fists clenched at my sides, a surge of anger mixing with something I didn’t want to name. How could she leave without a word?
Was she that eager to see that Andrew guy?
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Just the thought brought anger to Glacier and I shared his rage very much. “Zara…“I growled through gritted
teeth.
I turned and strode back out, nearly colliding with Aira on the landing. “Do you know where she went?” I demanded, my voice–rougher than I’d intended.
Aira shook her head, worry etched across her face. “She didn’t tell anyone. I thought maybe she left a message with you, or…” She trailed off, but I could see it in her eyes–she knew this wasn’t something Zara would do without a reason.
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