[Elena's POV]

"I..." I hesitated, feeling the weight of his icy stare. "I'm not worried about Jake. Not like that."

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm worried that... whoever took him might be the same people who took my mom."

"Think about it. If Velgrave is being framed, and my mom was taken by people impersonating your men... doesn't that mean it's the same enemy?"

Noah's expression shifted.

The pure venom receded slightly, replaced by a dark, calculating seriousness. He studied my face, searching for any lingering affection for my ex-boyfriend.

"Smart thinking. It's a possibility," he conceded, his voice low. "But let me make one...