After hearing Cisco Ramon's detailed explanation, Jack Kadere gave his shoulder a solid pat. "You really are a genius, Cisco. Coming to you was the right move. Thanks."
"It's nothing," Cisco said with a shrug, though clearly pleased with the praise. "If we'd had more time, I could've added a few more features."
"Oh yeah," Jack said casually, as if just remembering something, "where'd you hide the tracker?"
"On the metal ring," Cisco answered without thinking. The moment the words left his mouth, his face fell in horror. He glanced toward Harrison Wells, who sighed in frustration, and then back to Jack. "Wait—can we just pretend I didn't say that?"
Jack smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, no can do."
He reached down, dismantled the sleek black ring, and handed it back to Cisco. The hidden tracker inside was now useless.
Cisco groaned and accepted the ring. "Right… of course."
"Well then, goodbye everyone." Jack gave a quick wave and turned to leave.
As he strolled out, Cisco stared after him. "That's it? Shouldn't we call the police or something?"
"By the time they show up, he'll be halfway across the city," Wells said calmly, adjusting his glasses. "Let's just be glad Caitlin's unharmed. Come on, let's head back to the lab."
Back in the lab, Harrison Wells questioned Caitlin Snow about her encounter. After confirming she hadn't been hurt, he offered a few words of comfort before heading out.
Meanwhile, Jack stood in front of a hotel entrance downtown, waiting. He had arranged to meet Helena Bertinelli—future Huntress—here. A few minutes passed before the distant rumble of an engine drew his attention. Helena's car screeched to a halt, and she stepped out with her usual fiery confidence.
"You really waited for me," she said, striding up to him.
"Why wouldn't I?" Jack replied with a bright smile.
"Let's go," she said, linking her arm with his as they entered the hotel together.
After paying and grabbing the keycard, they stepped into the elevator. Before it even began to move, Helena pulled him close and kissed him—hard.
Their embrace was intense, passionate, and didn't let up even as they stumbled out of the elevator, down the hall, and into their room. The door closed behind them with a dull thud, and Helena, breathing heavily, took a step back.
"You sure about this? If my father finds out, he'll kill you," she warned.
Jack smirked. "Take it off."
Helena's lips curled into a smirk of her own. She reached behind her back, unzipped her dress, and let it fall away in one motion. She wrapped her arms around Jack again, pulling him into another feverish kiss.
What followed was a blur of limbs, heat, and breathless gasps. The hotel was high-end—soundproofed walls, luxury everything—but even that couldn't completely muffle Helena's unrestrained cries. There was a savage edge to her that night—raw, almost unhinged—and Jack could tell she wasn't just chasing pleasure. She was trying to outrun something inside her.
Cue the scene;
Jack's hands roamed over Helena's body, his fingers tracing the curves of her hips, her waist, her breasts. She moaned, her body arching into his touch, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.
"Hard and fast, huh?" he growled, his voice low and husky. "You sure you can handle it?"
Helena's eyes flashed with challenge. "Try me," she whispered, her voice low and steady.
Jack smirked, his hands moving to her thighs, lifting her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. He carried her to the bed, his body settling between her legs. He looked down at her, his eyes filled with a primal hunger.
"Last chance to back out," he said, his voice low and steady.
Helena's breath hitched, her body tensing with anticipation. "I'm not backing out," she said, her voice filled with determination. "I want it hard. I want it fast. I want it now."
Jack's eyes darkened, his body responding to her words. He leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a fierce, passionate kiss. He could taste her, her breath, her desire, her hunger.
He reached down, his fingers slipping inside her. She was wet, her body ready. He positioned himself at her entrance, his eyes meeting hers.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
Helena nodded, her breath coming in short gasps. "Yes," she whispered. "Fuck me, Jack. Hard and fast. Make me come."
Jack smirked, his body moving in one smooth, powerful thrust. Helena gasped, her body jerking at the sudden intrusion. But she didn't stop him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her fingers digging into his back, urging him on.
Jack moved, his hips slamming against hers, his body sheathed in hers. He could feel her, tight and hot around him, her body responding to his every touch. He leaned in, his lips capturing hers, his tongue sliding against hers.
Helena moaned, her body writhing beneath him. She could feel the pleasure building, her body tensing as it grew closer and closer to the edge. She wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, her fingers digging into his back, urging him on.
"Come for me, Helena," he growled, his voice low and husky. "Let me feel you come apart in my arms."
And with a soft cry, Helena did just that, her body convulsing as pleasure washed over her. Jack could feel it, her body tensing around him, her muscles convulsing as she came undone. But he didn't stop. He continued to move, his body slamming against hers, his own release building.
Helena's body was still convulsing, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. But she didn't stop him. She wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, her fingers digging into his back, urging him on.
"Come for me, Jack," she whispered, her voice filled with desire. "Let me feel you come apart in my arms."
And with a low groan, Jack did just that, his body shuddering as he spilled into her. He collapsed on top of her, his body still shuddering with the aftershocks of his orgasm. They lay there, their bodies entwined, their breath coming in steady, even intervals.
Later, as Helena lay curled against him, she let out a soft laugh. "That was… intense. Honestly, I'm starting to hope my father doesn't come after you."
Jack chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "What people care about ends up hurting them. Expectation breeds suffering. Me? I'm just here to help you numb the pain—with more pain, if needed."
Helena's smile faltered slightly. Something about his words hit a little too close. After a brief pause, she shook it off and stood up, stretching.
"Just stay alive first," she said, limping toward the bathroom.
They had originally planned to spend two hours at most, but by the time they were dressed and back on the road, it was well past that. The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time they rolled back into Starling City. Helena pulled her car to the curb and turned to Jack.
"Give me your number."
"If I want to find you," Jack said with a grin, "I'll find you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Helena snapped.
Jack just smiled, gave a casual wave, and stepped out into the night.
"I'll find you, then!" Helena shouted after him, but he had already vanished into the shadows.
With a frustrated sigh, she revved the engine and sped off toward home.
Helena snorted, started the car, and drove home.
As soon as she walked through the front door, she spotted her father sitting rigidly in the living room, his expression thunderous. She gave him a cold glance and began heading upstairs without a word.
"Stop right there!" Frank Bertinelli's voice snapped across the room.
"Going to demand an explanation?" Helena asked, her voice flat.
"Where have you been all night?"
"Nowhere that involved murder, arson, or organized crime—if that's what you're worried about."
"You—!"
Frank strode forward and struck her across the face.
Smack!
The sound echoed in the quiet room.
He glared at her, fury burning in his eyes. "You need to remember who you are. You're my daughter. No matter what you do, that won't change. And you'd better come to terms with that fast."
Helena stood still, one hand over her cheek, her expression icy. She didn't speak—just turned and walked up the stairs without looking back.
Frank turned toward the family butler.
"Find out where she was. Who she was with. I want names and places. Tonight."
"Yes, sir," the butler responded, bowing his head respectfully.
Frank Bertinelli wasn't the only one curious about someone's activities.
Across town, Felicity Smoak was also growing suspicious. She had just returned home from work and noticed immediately that Jack Kadere wasn't there. Odd. He rarely went off the grid without at least texting her.
When he finally walked through the door, Felicity's sharp instincts kicked in.
A subtle trace of perfume lingered on him.
Definitely not hers.
She adjusted her glasses and looked him square in the eye.
"Alright, Jack… Who is she?"
… …