Alpha's Regret After the Divorce by Christina novel Chapter 223

Chapter 223

Kira’s POV

The helicopter’s engines hummed aggressively around me, the vibration traveling through the metal floor and into my aching body. I sat pressed against the window, watching the devastated landscape grow smaller beneath us. The ruins of what had once been Lyra’s facility were now just a jumble of concrete and twisted metal, disappearing into the distance like a bad memory refusing to fade completely.

Andy sat beside me, his large frame a steady presence that somehow made the cramped space feel safer. Rebecca was across from us, methodically organizing her medical supplies, occasionally glancing up to check on me. The rest of the team busied themselves with bagging the few pieces of evidence we’d managed to salvage from the wreckage.

Nobody spoke. The roar of the rotors made conversation difficult, but I knew that wasn’t the real reason for the silence. What could anyone possibly say after what had just happened?

Andy leaned toward me, pressing a water bottle and two small white pills into my hand. His fingers brushed against mine, warm and steady.

“For the pain,” he said, raising his voice just enough to be heard over the engine noise.

I nodded gratefully and swallowed the pills, wincing as the cold water hit my parched throat. Only then did I realize how thirsty I’d been. I drained half the bottle in several desperate gulps.

When I lowered the bottle, I caught Andy studying my face. His brow was furrowed, eyes scanning me with an intensity that went beyond professional concern. I’d seen that look before–worry mixed with something deeper, something he never quite put into words.

“How are you feeling?” he asked quietly.

I attempted a smile that felt brittle even to me. “I’m fine. Really. Just some scrapes and bruises.”

Andy’s eyes didn’t leave mine. “I wasn’t asking about your physical condition.”

I took a deep breath, feeling my chest tighten. “I… I don’t know. It’s a lot to process at once.”

He nodded, his expression softening. “If you need to talk about it, I’m here. If you need space, I understand that too.”

I turned back toward the window, grateful for his perceptiveness. Andy always seemed to know exactly what I needed–when to push for answers and when to just sit quietly beside me. I’d never told him how much I appreciated that about him. Maybe I should.

I sat up straighter, ignoring the protest from my sore muscles. “What do you mean? He said something?”

Andy shook his head. “Not directly. But we found evidence that he might be planning his next move.” He hesitated. “I’d rather go over the details when we get back to Rocco’s estate. I have some files and footage I need to show you.”

“What about Ethan? How did you track him there?”

“One of our surveillance systems picked up movement near an abandoned warehouse. We’ve been monitoring several locations that matched Lyra’s previous operational patterns.” Andy’s voice took on a grimmer tone. “Ethan seemed… different this time.”

“Different how?” I asked, suddenly alert.

“More confident. Relaxed, even. The last time we encountered him, he was aggressive, erratic. This time he was calm, methodical. Like someone who feels they have the upper hand.”