No One Owns Me

Chapter 28 — The Trap

“Casey.”

Lorenzo’s voice curls through the hallway like smoke. My fingers lock around the USB drive until my knuckles turn white.

Duncan raises his weapon, stepping in front of me. “Stay behind me.”

I shake my head, stepping out from his shadow. “No. I’ve spent my whole life hiding behind people. I’m done.”

Ward moves to my side, shoulder to shoulder with me. “You don’t have to face him alone.”

I glance at him, and for the first time in days, I feel steady. “I know.”

Footsteps stop at the kitchen threshold. Lorenzo steps into the light, two armed men flanking him. He glances around the room, and for a heartbeat something softens in his face—almost like longing.

“You came home.”

“This was never a home,” I say. “Just another place you ruined.”

His gaze drops straight to my clenched fist. “You found it.”

I tuck the drive behind my back. “Found what?”

He smiles, sharp and knowing. “You were always a terrible liar.”

“You knew we’d come here,” I say. “You wanted us to.”

“I guided you here. There’s a difference.” He nods at Duncan. “Your father left something that doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to what he built, and what he tried to burn down.”

“Everything always belongs to the Crown with you,” I spit.

“Only what matters.” His eyes lock back on mine. “Only what can’t be stolen.”

Anger surges hot and fast. “You took my sister. You kidn*pped me. You lied about my father’s death.”

“I protected Isabella. I needed you alive. And I kept you alive—even when every rule said I shouldn’t.” He tilts his head. “Sometimes the person you hate most is the only one keeping you breathing.”

“Enough,” Duncan growls.

Lorenzo smirks. “Still her shield, Duncan? Even now?”

“Always.”

“Then ask yourself what you’re shielding her from.” He leans forward. “Do you know what your father really did, Casey? He didn’t just try to destroy me. He tried to destroy the very foundation of the Crown. And he almost succeeded.”

“Then why are you still here?”

“Because someone has to hold the pieces before they cut everyone to ribbons.” He nods toward the fireplace. “Did you find the second file?”

My heart lurches. He knows.

“Don’t say a word,” Ward warns.

Lorenzo laughs. “I don’t need her to. I can see the truth written all over her face.”

One of his men shifts forward. Duncan’s gun snaps up. “Don’t move.”

“Peace,” Lorenzo says, holding up a hand. “I didn’t come here for a fight. I came for clarity.” He pulls a photograph from his jacket and drops it on the floor between us.

I step closer to look. My breath catches. It’s Mum—but beside her stands a girl I’ve never seen before. She’s my height, with the same dark hair, the same sharp jaw. And next to her, small and bright-eyed, is Isabella.

“Who is she?”

Duncan goes pale.

“You know her,” I say, turning to him. “Dad. Tell me.”

He closes his eyes. “I’ve seen this photo before. Once. But I never knew who she was.”

Lorenzo’s smile widens. “You thought there were only two sisters. That’s what they wanted everyone to believe.”

My blood runs cold. “What?”

“There were three.”

Silence swallows the room. Isabella stares at the picture, her hand flying to her mouth. “No.”

“Her name is Elena,” Lorenzo says quietly. “She’s your sister.”

Duncan steps forward, voice cracking. “Lorenzo, stop. You don’t know what you’re stirring up.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing.” He looks back at me. “Elena is the reason no one could ever prove which of you is the true heir. The prophecy never named two girls. It named three.”

“Three claimants,” I whisper.

“Three keys. And one went missing six years ago.”

Six years ago. The same time Mum vanished. The same time everything unravelled.

“Where is she now?” Isabella asks, her voice trembling.

Lorenzo’s expression hardens. “That’s what I want you to find out.”

I laugh, bitter and sharp. “You expect me to help you?”

“I expect you to realise we’re not enemies. Not really. We’re both looking for the same thing.”

Then the lights cut out.

Total darkness. Gunfire erupts, bullets sparking off stone. Smoke fills the air. Ward grabs my arm. “Get down!”

I scramble back, clutching the drive to my chest. Hands wrap around me from behind. I kick, thrash, scream—until a voice whispers right in my ear:

“Quiet. It’s me.”

Daniel.

I freeze. “You—”

“Trust me. Or die here. Your choice.”

He yanks me toward the fireplace. A hidden panel swings open. Ward lunges for me, but the door slams shut between us, sealing with a heavy thud.

“CASEY!” Ward’s voice is muffled, distant.

I bang on the wood. “WARD!”

Daniel pulls me back. “We don’t have time.”

“I don’t trust you!”

“Good.” He turns to me, shadowed and serious. “You shouldn’t. Not yet.”

He points down the narrow stone tunnel stretching ahead. “But your mother is waiting at the end. And if you want to know why they hid Elena… why they lied about all of you… you follow me.”

I stare into the dark, the drive still burning in my hand.

For years I thought the Crown was the monster hunting us. Now I’m not sure. The lies go deeper. The family is bigger. And the truth might be the deadliest thing of all.

I take a breath, and step into the dark.