CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
The burner phone slipped from Elena’s blood-slick fingers and landed in the wet grass. The message glowed accusingly in the dark:
“Well played, daughter.
But I always have one more move.
See you soon.
….Mother”
Victoria’s body lay only feet away, eyes fixed on the night sky, the knife buried deep in her chest. Lila was slumped over her chest, rising in shallow, ragged breaths. Yet the text had just been sent…timestamped seconds ago.
“She’s dead,” Jax whispered, pressing harder on Elena’s bleeding side. “We saw the knife go in. This has to be automated… a dead-man’s protocol.”
Elena shook her head, dizziness washing over her. “No. She planned for this. She always plans for everything.” Pain flared hot through her ribs with every breath, but she forced herself u
