I stared at Hayden, my mind spinning. I’d thought he was Wayne’s hostage, but now? He wasn’t just an accomplice-he’d turned on Lena. Why not take me instead? Was it because he couldn’t bring himself to hurt me? Or was this some twisted plan to use Lena against us? The chaos around us stopped cold. Everyone froze, their eyes locked on Hayden. His icy glare swept the crowd, finally settling on Aaron.

“Mr. Ace,” Hayden said sharply, his voice slicing through the silence. “You know what to do.”

Aaron was here too, though earlier he’d been attacked, kept from helping Lena. Now he stood frozen, his gaze fixed on her.

“Let her go,” Aaron said. “I’ll take her place.”

“You know what happens to people who waste my time,” he said flatly. The warmth I once knew in his voice was gone, replaced by something cold and unrecognizable.

I couldn’t stay silent any longer. “Hayden, why are you doing this?” I yelled.

He glanced at me-just for a second-before turning his attention back to Aaron, his gaze sharp, oppressive, full of unspoken threats.