"…I don't think we can trust that guy," Jimmy was saying, but Mark rolled his eyes and cut him off before he could finish.
"Really? Can you hear yourself? Who cares if you trust the guy or not? What matters is that he's helping us get back at Knight and his family," Mark snapped, visibly irritated.
Their mother, Monica, turned to him sharply.
"Would you shut up and let your brother finish? I get where he's coming from," she scolded.
"Of course you do," Mark muttered under his breath, but she heard him and shot him a glare, ready to say something—until Jimmy interrupted, wincing as he leaned his bruised body against the headboard. Monica rushed forward to prop a pillow behind him, which only fueled the irritation burning inside Mark.
Jimmy sighed. "What I'm trying to say is—since this Takeshi guy showed up, what has he really done to take Knight down?"
Mark growled. "Are you deaf, or did they beat the hearing out of you too? We told you—he set one of Knight's warehouses on fire. And we even managed to grab a bunch of stuff before we torched it."
Jimmy frowned at the insult but let it slide. Normally, he would've kicked Mark's ass, but right now, his body wasn't up for a fight. "I know that part…"
But Mark wasn't finished. "We got diamonds, gold, guns—the works. We're making progress, doubter."
"Mark, if you insult your brother one more time—" Monica began, but Jimmy lightly placed a hand on her arm, stopping her.
"Yes, I know all that. But doesn't it seem odd that Knight hasn't done anything yet? No retaliation? That's suspicious. And Takeshi hasn't made a move since either."
Mark let out a loud, exaggerated sigh. "This is the Yakuza we're talking about. Knight's like a mafia boss. You don't expect him to start a shootout in broad daylight. The only reason he hasn't hit back yet is because he's dealing with other crap. Mom's got someone on the inside feeding her info."
Jimmy sighed again, frustrated. Monica turned to him and gently rubbed her hand over his forehead.
"For once, your brother is right," she said softly. "Takeshi's back in Japan, handling other business. He's also using this time to see how Kieran reacts."
Mark muttered, "Kieran did retaliate. He killed one of Takeshi's men."
"Oh. I must've forgotten about that," Monica said, blinking.
Mark frowned. "Forgot? He sent pieces of the guy's body to this house—and some to Takeshi too."
He shivered at the memory—opening a box and finding a severed head. The image haunted him. Monica went pale, and Jimmy looked stunned.
"He did that?" Jimmy asked, glancing between them. Monica nodded gravely.
"You see what I mean now?" Jimmy said, voice quiet. "You almost kidnapped his wife, and he did nothing. Takeshi burnt down his warehouse, stole stuff worth millions—and still, only one man's dead? That's not normal. I know I sound paranoid, but I was the one locked up for two days and beaten to a pulp. That guy… Knight… he's not human. He's a devil in disguise."
Mark scoffed. "You're definitely paranoid."
Monica opened her mouth to respond, but her phone buzzed. She glanced down—and her eyes widened. A slow, wicked smile spread across her lips.
Jimmy noticed first. "What is it?"
She didn't say anything for a minute, her eyes on her phone.
Then she looked up, eyes gleaming. "Remember I told you—I don't think we're the only ones after Knight?"
He nodded. "Yeah, after that article dropped. And neither we nor Takeshi had anything to do with it."
Her smile grew. "I just got a text. One of Knight's exes is back—and she's pregnant. Says he must marry her."
Their eyes went wide.
Jimmy shook his head. "But how do we know she's not just after money? Could be a fake pregnancy."
Monica stood from the edge of the bed, already heading for the door. "No, no, my sweet boy. This girl is a trap. Someone's setting Knight up. I can feel it."
Mark frowned. "What do you mean?"
She turned, eyes gleaming with certainty. "Genesis is in love with Knight—well, Kieran, technically. Clearly, she doesn't know about his alter ego. And this new girl? She's there to drive a wedge between them."
Jimmy shook his head. "Still doesn't make sense."
"Oh, it makes perfect sense," Monica said darkly. "She's about to run from one monster and straight into the arms of something far worse. And we're going to make sure of it."
"How?"
She smiled wickedly. "Maybe it's time we give that little bitch her inheritance… and the company."
"What?" Mark and Jimmy said in unison, staring at her like she'd lost her mind.
But Monica only smiled wider.
"We don't need it anymore. We're set for life. So let's give it back... and make sure she leaves her so-called safe haven."
****
Stacy glanced anxiously at Calista. "I think we should stop this. She's going to wear herself out… maybe tear something. Or faint."
In the center of the dance studio, Genesis spun again—arms sweeping, feet pounding the floor with raw emotion. Each movement was like a cry—sharp, aching, desperate. Her breath came in gasps, tears slipping down her cheeks, but she didn't stop. Couldn't.
Her arms moved like waves caught in a storm—wild, graceful, reaching. Her legs sliced through the air—point, kick, turn. She danced like she was trying to bleed the pain from her soul.
Her bun had fallen loose, dark strands clinging to her damp face. Her chest rose and fell fast, her whole body trembling from exhaustion. Yet still, she danced, her fingers twitching as if reaching out for someone who'd vanished.
I should've never pushed Amelia…
The thought hit her mid-turn. She faltered—but caught herself. Spun faster.
I just wanted her to feel it. To feel what her words did to me…
She dropped into a low split, her arms wide, fingers brushing the floor like they might find answers hidden in the wood. The tears were steady now, but no sound came. Only ragged breaths and the soft slap of her feet on the floor.
Kieran… how could you do this? After everything? After all the things you said…
She couldn't forget the way he had looked at her. Like she was a stranger. Like she was....at fault.
She rose slowly, balancing on one foot, the other extended behind her. Her body shook as she held the pose, eyes squeezed shut.
Her heart felt like it was tearing in two.
I thought you were different…
She slammed her foot down and spun, form unraveling. She didn't care anymore. Her feet burned. Her lungs screamed. But the thoughts were louder.
You said I was yours… Was that all a lie?
She arched backward, arms stretched wide like she was falling into an invisible embrace—but there was no one there to catch her.
Stacy took a step forward. "Calista—"
"No," Calista whispered, eyes fixed on Genesis. "Not yet."
Then suddenly she collapsed to her knees, breath ragged. Her palms slapped the floor as she bent forward, sobs wracking her body in silence.
Elsewhere in the city,
"It's time our plan for her unfolds," a voice said smoothly. "Wouldn't you agree… El Alacrán?"
She nodded, her eyes gleaming. "Yes, Mother. It's time."