Chapter 280
Chapter 280
Snowflakes
37
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The echo 8 members who pulled the overnight shift, Wrinks and Quince looked like they’d been run over by a truck and then asked to keep driving.
Dark circles carved deep under their eyes, coffee cups lined up like fallen soldiers on the desk, but both of them still sat upright, fingers moving over keyboards with the stubborn focus of people who knew the clock was bleeding out.
Guilt hit me square in the chest the second I walked through the sealed door of the Echo 8 office. I’d gone home. Slept in Cupid’s arms. Bathed in lavender water. While they’d been here, grinding through DNA partials and staring at screens until their vision blurred.
I swallowed the apology before it could form. There’d be time for that later, maybe my own overnight shift soon enough. Eshan’s schedule was merciless when a case this big reopened.
“What have you found so far?” I asked, keeping my voice low as I stepped inside.
Wrinks didn’t look up from his monitor.
“DNA’s showing two distinct contributors. One profile is almost complete, another few hours tops. The second… it’s fighting us. Degraded sample, partial matches only. We’re rerunning the amplification now p>
I exhaled slowly. Two. Not one.
Before I could ask more, the door opened again. Vast walked in first, shoulders squared, followed by Eshan.
Both of them looked freshly showered and sharp, but the tension rolling off Eshan was palpable. He’d clearly come straight from whatever last–minute arrangements he’d been making.
“Interrogation room is set,” Eshan said, glancing at his watch. “Ares Bani will be here in under ten. Any hits on identity yet p>
“Not yet,” Quince answered. “Still processing p>
Eshan sighed, short, frustrated then moved to the stack of files on the central table, flipping through pages he’d already memorized.
Outside, tires crunched on gravel. I crossed to the narrow window that overlooked the secure lot and peered through the blinds.
“Ares is here,” I said quietly.
Eshan was at my side in two strides, looking down. His jaw locked so hard I heard the faint creak of teeth. He turned to me, took my hand firmly, grounding and squeezed once.
“Ares Bani is a motherfucking bastard. Antsy. Cocky. You profiling team were right. His location ping that night puts him on Love Avenue until two hours before the scream was reported. Then he magically teleports back to Mooncrest pack lands. There’s a hole there. We’re going to rip it wide open.” His thumb brushed over my knuckles. “He’ll slip if I mention Viviana. Watch every twitch, every blink, every micro–expression. More secrets spill from body language than words. Okay p>
“Got it p>
He nodded once, released my hand, and strode out.
1/3
1:32 pm PPW.
Chapter 280
I headed up to our floor to collect Mr. Gerald. He was already packing files into a slim briefcase.
“I’ll take those,” I said, reaching for half the stack.
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We walked the corridor in silence, tension humming between us like live wire. Halfway down, I glanced over the railing to the lower
level.
Ares was crossing the lobby toward the elevators. Tailored charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, no tie. Polished. Controlled. Behind him trailed Veyron, ever–present shadow, carrying a slim leather folio that probably held nothing but blank pages for show.
As if he could feel my stare, Ares paused. Looked straight up.
Our eyes met.
Gone was the broken, drunk–on–guilt man who’d come to my door days ago, slurring apologies and promises. This Ares was steady. Prepared. Dangerous in his composure.
He held my gaze for three long seconds then lifted one hand in a small, mocking wave.
I turned away first, continuing down the hall without a backward glance.
We were ready too.
Let’s see who broke first.
The observation room was already dim, soundproof glass one–way, audio feed crystal clear. Mr. Gerald took the seat closest to the console; I stood behind him, arms crossed, pulse steady but loud in my ears.
No guards on this case. Protocol for sensitive matters so it was just us, Vast on escort duty, and Eshan about to walk into the lion’s
den.
Vast ushered Ares in first. The door clicked shut behind him. Veyron was left in the hallway, polite but firm redirection.
Ares moved with deliberate grace, shoulders square, eyes sweeping the room like he owned it.
Then his gaze lifted to the mirrored glass. He knew we were there. He lifted his hand again, same mocking wave and blew a kiss toward the reflection.
“Such a bastard,” Eshan muttered from the doorway behind us.
I turned. He was seething, jaw clenched, eyes burning but when he looked at me, the fury softened for half a second. I nodded. once. I’m okay.
He exhaled, then walked out.
Seconds later the feed showed him entering the interrogation room, file folder tucked under one arm, small, almost playful smile curling the corner of his mouth.
“My dearest ex brother–in–law,” Eshan drawled, sinking into the chair across from Ares like they were meeting for coffee. “You’re welcome p>
Ares stared at him for a long, heart–stopping beat then mirrored the smile. Slow. Sharp.
“Unless my lawyer gets here, you know I won’t breathe a word. Let’s just wait p>
2/3
11:32 pm PPW
Chapter 280
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I checked the wall clock. “We have maybe seven minutes before Rusi realizes the summons was timed early. He’ll come flying p>
Mr. Gerald nodded grimly. “Then let Eshan work fast p>
On the feed, Eshan leaned back, casual, almost friendly.
“So,” he said, voice light, “Love Avenue. Two hours before the scream. Interesting choice of route back to pack lands, don’t you
think p>
Ares’s smile didn’t falter but his fingers flexed once on the table.
The game was on.
And Eshan Frost never lost when he had the board.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.