Page 144 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

"Someone like you," Darius said, his gray eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror.

A warmth spread through Serenity at the acknowledgment—not just of her financial expertise, but of her essential role in their plans. Three weeks ago, she was fighting against these Alphas, viewing them as threats to her independence. Now, she was their partner in what might be the most audacious coup in The Society's history.

"What's our next move?" she asked, mentally reviewing the complex strategy they'd developed.

"Tonight, we celebrate publicly," Darius explained. "The Society will have observers at Castellano's downtown club. They need to see us acting like traditional Alphas who've just claimed a valuable Omega."

The thought made her grimace. "So I need to play the submissive trophy."

Ronan's hand covered hers, surprisingly gentle for a man of his size and strength. "Just for a few hours. It's crucial they believe they understand exactly what's happening."

"Meanwhile," Lucian continued, "my team will be implementing phase one of our financial strategy. By morning,key Society assets will be imperceptibly entangled with Vale holdings. They won't realize it until it's too late."

She nodded, appreciating the elegance of the plan. The Society had existed for centuries by maintaining strict separation between member families' assets—preventing any one Alpha or coalition from gaining too much leverage. Their strategy exploited the Society's inability to imagine a true partnership between Alphas, or an Omega with genuine agency.

"And tomorrow?" she pressed, needing to hear the full sequence again.

"Tomorrow, the final day of the hunt, I announce our successful claim at The Society's monthly gathering," Darius said. "As regional Prime Alpha, my word carries enough weight to make it official without question."

"While the announcement is happening," Ronan added, "my security teams will be moving into position around key Society properties—telecommunications hubs, secure server locations, private residences of council members."

"And I," Lucian finished, "will be executing the financial maneuvers that will freeze their accounts and transfer controlling interests to our new joint entity—Vale-Castellano-Drake-Blackthorn Holdings."

Serenity's mind raced through potential vulnerabilities, a habit from her MBA training. "What about counter-measures? The Society has existed for centuries. They must have contingency plans."

"They do," Darius acknowledged. "Which is why timing is everything. Once I make the announcement, we have approximately thirty minutes before their security protocols activate."

"That's where you come in," Lucian told her, his expression serious. "The financial transfers require multiple authorizations, including biometric confirmation from a Vale."

The implication was clear. She wouldn't be safely hidden away during the most dangerous phase of their plan—she'd be at its center, providing the crucial link that made it all possible.

"I understand," she said, meeting each of their gazes in turn. "I'm ready."

The car turned into an underground garage beneath Darius's building—a fortress disguised as a luxury residence. As they exited the vehicle, Ronan's hand settled protectively at the small of her back, Lucian moved ahead to secure their path, and Darius brought up the rear. Their movements were unconscious, instinctive—three Alphas protecting their Omega.

Except she wasn't just their Omega. She was their equal partner in what might be the most dangerous gambit any of them had ever attempted. The thought sent a thrill through her that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with power.

As the elevator rose toward Darius's penthouse, she caught her reflection in the polished steel doors—golden eyes with distinctive red flecks staring back at her, her father's legacy written in her very DNA. But there was something new there too, something that was hers alone: determination, strategy, and a cold fury at the organization that had tried to control her from the shadows.

"Twenty-four hours," she murmured as the doors slid open. "Then we burn it all down."

Three sets of eyes—gray, green, and amber—met hers with matching intensity.

"Together," Darius said simply.

It was both a promise and a declaration of war.

Darius's penthousetransformed into a war room as they prepared for tonight's performance and tomorrow's assault. Laptops open on every surface, secured phones ringing at regular intervals, maps and diagrams spread across the dining table. The four of them moved between stations with practiced efficiency, their movements synchronized despite the short time they'd been working together.

"The club is secured," Ronan announced, ending a call with his head of security. "Private section roped off, loyal staff only, counter-surveillance measures in place."

"Society observers confirmed," Lucian added, glancing up from his laptop. "Three so far—one at the bar, one booked in VIP, one on external surveillance."

Darius nodded, typing rapidly on his phone. "Perfect. Predictable as always."

Serenity finished reviewing the financial protocols Lucian's team had prepared, impressed by their thoroughness. "These transfers will work, but we need to be prepared for manual overrides. The Society's older members still prefer physical authentication."

"Already handled," Lucian assured her. "I have teams positioned at their backup facilities in Jersey, Connecticut, and upstate."

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