The SUV careened down rain-soaked streets, tires screeching on pavement. Restless energy inside crackled like false static. Kim drove, white knuckles clutching the steering wheel. Valeria was beside Kc, fingers clamped to the open gashes on his ribs, trying to stem the bleeding. "You all right?" she whispered.Kc's head lolled a little to hers, his dark eyes hardly a crack. He let out a sour laugh, the sound raw and agonized. "Define okay."Valeria swallowed hard, her throat constricting. She detested this—detested seeing him like this. "You're bleeding too much. We need to have a hospital.""No hospitals," Kim said curtly in front of them, taking a sharp turn that sent Valeria into Kc's side. He flinched, and she automatically held him upright."No hospitals," Kim repeated, her voice firm. "Sebastian's men will be sweeping every ER within a fifty-mile radius. We have to go underground. Now."Valeria's heart raced. She knew Kim was correct, but envisioning Kc in her head—the bruised
The safehouse was no more.Scorched to ashes and smoke by the time Kim's SUV arrived at the rim of the isolated forest road. The fire raged wildly in the blackness, its eerie shadows on the crooked trees. Sirens sounded far away, but no one would come soon.Kim's fists pounded the steering wheel. "Shit! They found it."Kc coughed violently, smearing blood on his lips, and grimaced as he clapped a hand over his ribs. "We just escaped from that warehouse and now this?"Valeria stood frozen, gazing at the fire, her eyes wide and haunted. "He's not going to quit. He said it himself. 'This isn't over'… and he meant every goddamn word."Kim turned sharply in her seat, her eyes fierce. “We have to disappear. No trace. No signals. No contacts. Sebastian has eyes everywhere.”Kc’s jaw clenched, the pain from the warehouse still carved into his bones. “I’m not hiding. Not again. We’ve done that for months. This ends now.”Valeria stretched out her hand, her touch shaking but firm. "And if it do
Rain pounded the tin roof sloping drunkenly on rusty hinges, and the hollow stone walls of the old chapel reverberated with each movement, each breath, each stillness. Kc sat on a shattered pew, blood clotting on his knuckles, his shirt drenched and scabbed wounds. Pain in his ribs cried out every time he shifted, but all that seemed little now.Valeria stood beside the shattered window, gazing out into the foggy jungle outside. Her arms were clasped tightly around her chest, her eyes reddened but dry, her entire body taut as if it hadn't yet come to terms with the final minute."He's dead," she whispered, as if the saying of it would render it so.Kc didn't say anything. He just turned and walked away, leaving the words to hang. True or false, its force pushed both of them to the ground."I killed him," she went on, her voice empty. "I looked into his eyes. I felt the kickback. I saw him fall."Kc rubbed his face. "And I checked his pulse." He exhaled. "There was none. That son of a g
MEANWHILE | UNKNOWN LOCATIONSebastian's breathing was rasps.He was taped to an infirmary bed, veins punctured with IVs, chest stitched in coarse layers under industrial lights that hummed like flies.The stranger—Lazarus—stood in the corner, arms crossed."You're healing faster than I expected."Sebastian's one good eye slashed at him. "They think I'm dead."Lazarus waved his hand. "Yes. Let them. Let them mourn, let them love, let them forget how frightened they were."Sebastian snarled in his voice. "And then we take it all.""No." Lazarus's smile was cold. "You take it all. I'm just the man who'll get you there."Sebastian's fingers trembled. "Kc Page… that bastard stole my ability."Lazarus stepped forward. "And now you steal his peace. But this time, we don't break in from the outside. This time… we rip them from the inside out."BACK IN THE SAFEHOUSE | NIGHTFALLKc slept next to Valeria, observing the rise and fall of her chest. The storm had passed by outside. There was quiet.
"I love you"Valeria utteredKc gazed into her eyes and responded, "I love you too."He leaned forward and kissed her passionately. Their lips met, she raised herself on her arms and pulled him tighter. Their flames fueled by the embrace, Kc decided to advance his passion. His tongue pierced through her mouth looking for its match, to discover it in turn. For eternal, wonderful moments they remained so clasped together. Only the pulsing of their hearts counted in their eternal universe.Valeria withdrew from Kc in a flash. She stood panting and backed away from him. Her breath was struggling to catch up with her. She gazed intensely into his wondering eyes. His watery, soft eyes were rich and dark like good brandy. She was losing herself in his stare. She moved her face aside bashfully."I don't believe what you do to me. No one ever did these things to me before."KC leaned forward and tilted her chin towards him. He stared intensely into her eyes. Valeria seemed to shiver in his han
Valeria sat upon the edge of the bed and positioned Kc between her open legs. She could already see the large bulge protruding through his pants. It was hard to miss being level with her head. Rubbing it with her hands she could feel the long length of his shaft. It was warm and stiff. Each glide of her hand brought deep stirring sounds from her lover's lips. His deep moans touched her deep inside. She hoped she could give him as much as he had been giving her.Finding his pants button, she pulled it open and pulled his pants down. She could not help but hurry. Her lust was a wanton beast craving its meal. His hard cock strained against his underwear. It looked almost comical being too large to fit inside them. She tucked her fingers into his waistband and firmly holding it tugged them down.The sight of it was awe-inspiring. His large thick cock bobbed free of its prison. It stood proudly before her, warm and inviting. She stroked its shaft in long smooth glides. His skin was hot. She
"Give it to me! Please...I want it but please be gentle." "I will no worries," Kc had to admit he wanted her too. Nothing would satisfy him more than plunging deep into her. Feeling every sweet drop of her wetness on his skin and to also feel her warm silken folds wrapping him and welcoming his presence. But his ultimate goal was to lavish her with an abundance of foreplay before the consummation of their mutual love. Torn by the conflict between his loving heart and his wanton lust he decided to compromise."Ok. But just a little bit. You don't want to spoil your appetite."Adjusting his position over her, Kc placed his cock between her moist pussy lips. Its hot tip parted her skin and delved into its silky wetness. Her breath came in short gasps as she felt every inch of his hard manhood slide into her. Deeper and deeper he plunged. The warm satisfying embrace of her sweet womanhood was like paradise to him. It seemed that the ecstasy would never end. Then his long shaft stopped a
Batting her hand away he moved down and began to flicker his tongue upon her clit. This had the effect of making her moan louder and move to get her sensitive clit deeper onto his tongue. Pleased that it worked, He moved away and let her pleasure subside."No! Don't stop! Please, Kc!""Did you want more?" he asked already knowing her response.Her eyes widened at the response. It was unbelievable to her. Didn't he know how good he made her feel?"Yes! Yes! Of course, you wonderful fool!"Smiling, he crawled over her and kissed her deeply. At first she was somewhat reluctant but then melted into him. Her love for him reached out and embraced his passionate fire. She reached around him with her arms and pulled him to her, their hot skins touching.As she pulled him closer to her, Kc positioned his cock into her wet cunt. It was so slippery only his tip entered her. Valeria didn't respond at first but softly moaned and kissed him deeper as he began to enter her. Deeper and deeper we went
The private plane swooped down into the midnight haze of dawn over Los Angeles, the engines roaring like the final notes of an opera. Valeria Jayne huddled near the window, forehead pressed against the glass, watching as the skyline of her history returned before her eyes.It was the city that formed her.It was the city that tried to break her.And now, the city she would take back.Kc Page beside her, his fingers wrapped around hers in unspoken comfort. The warmth of his touch informed her that broken things could once again be lovely."You're not saying anything," he said softly, stroking her knuckles with his thumb.Valeria's eyes looked up at him, shimmering like the ocean they gazed over from this vantage after a hot sun-scorched day. "I'm just. trying to remember who I was the last time I saw this place. I shattered going out."He nodded. "And now you're strolling back in flames for blood in your veins."She smiled weakly. "More embers than flames. But you. you stayed the flame
She edged near the bars, her breathing a warm whisper in the chill of the courtroom. "I survived because of you. I never became you.".He laughed then—hard, harsh, deep-bone. "You think living makes you virtuous? No, sweetheart. It only makes you deadlier. That's why they'll fear you in return.""No," she spat, eyes blazing. "They'll notice the difference. I don't use people as weapons. I won't hide behind shadows.""You already have."The words burn her like a slap. She takes a hard breath, but doesn't step back."You used Sebastian," Lazarus rose, his voice venomous and calculated. "You had him burn for you. Asked me to rescue him, Valeria. Vowed it like a child. And I saw him fall—for you.""You're lying.""Am I?" He smirked. "Tell me, did he ever speak to you of what he saw in you? That flash of cruelty he worshipped? That darkness one day he thought would take my place?"Her fist closed, nails digging into the meat of her palm."He told you you were hope," Lazarus continued, now i
Valeria's hands were balled into fists. "You never understood. Any of you never did. You manipulated lives, fates of people, and for what? So you'd control everything?"Instinctively, Lazarus sneered. "Control. Power. Is not that what you have always wanted too, Valeria? Do not act like you do not know. You inherited it all from your mom, and now you're going to save the world? Please. It's in your blood. All that greed, all that lust."Her stare was locked onto his, a battle unto itself. "Perhaps," she finally said, her voice precisely that: a statement of fact, "but at least I'm attempting to mend the damage you've done. I'm no longer able to abide lies. And I'm not letting you get away."A silence. And then Lazarus leaned forward, his eyes piercing blue and glaring at her, and whispered, "And what do you think you're going to do to me? Think the law's going to be able to cover you? Your little empire is going to be intact once I'm dead? You've won? It never works out like that, Vale
"I blew up the Core. I sacrificed every real asset. If Lazarus has proof—let him bring it. Not shadows. Not rumors. Proof.".A reporter shouted, "What if he does?"Valeria answered, "I will take care of it. But I will not let a man like him write my mother's redemption or my family's destruction."A second hand rose. "And what about your safety? He's threatened us before."KC took a step forward now. "Valeria has the full protection of U.S. intelligence allies and the tech tribunal. But more than that—she has allies who won't quail at Lazarus Vane's name."Tension eased somewhat.Then Valeria said, "And if he wants war, he'll find I don't fight shadows."The room fell into hushed silence.She turned, left the stage.KC was close on her heels. "You were fantastic.".She nodded, speaking softly. "Let's hope it was enough."LATER THAT NIGHTKim faced Valeria across the study in the estate."We followed the trace from Lazarus's broadcast," Kim stated. "Somewhere outside of Cairo. But when
The atrium's glass panels sparkled with Geneva morning light. The reek of dust still lingered in the air, but the structure was no longer rubble—it was reborn.Valeria gazed from the tall windows, coffee going cold in her palms."Looks like… it's over," KC replied, coming to stand beside her, eyes cast over the horizon. "Think so?"“No,” Valeria murmured. “But the storm here has passed. For now.”She set the mug down and reached for her comms unit. The screen flared to life, and she scrolled through her encrypted contacts until she landed on Kim Avarelle – U.S. Division Head.She hit call.After a few rings, Kim’s voice crackled through. “Valeria?”“Hi, Kim. I’m calling to say…” Valeria glanced at KC. “We are coming home.”There was a moment of quiet, and then suddenly, laughter filled the air with excitement. “You’re serious? After all this time?”“Everything’s stable now,” she replied. “The Geneva base is secured, the files are locked down with global oversight, and the remaining te
Geneva — Two Weeks AfterThe Headquarters of the Montecillo Foundation did not tower over the horizon like it had before. Its glass front, which had previously symbolized technological and power progress, was now reduced to an exposed skeleton of pipes and supports shrouded in scaffolding and caution tape. The explosion that ripped its servers apart with the Core's final detonation reduced it to mere rubble.And yet it was being reconstructed.And they were too.Valeria stood amidst the remains of what used to be her mother's office—her haven. The winds had shifted. The stench of ash had dissipated, giving way to fresh concrete and glass in wait to rebuild.She clutched a blueprint. Not of a fortress. Not of a Core. But of a research center built for transparency, learning, and ethics.No more secret vaults.No more secrets.Just light.Kc came in, sleeves rolled up, a construction helmet under the arm. "They've okayed the new floor plan," he told her, handing over a clipboard.Valeri
Kc nodded slowly. "Then let us finish it."Valeria put both hands on the sphere. Her voice thundered, firm and unyielding:"Override protocol: Core dismantle sequence. Authorization—Valeria Montecillo. Code zero-zero-zero… end."The orb writhed furiously, light flashing in wild surges. Sparks flew like fireflies. Metal creaked. Steam exploded from hidden vents."WARNING: System destabilization imminent."Kc drew her away. "We have to go!"But Valeria stayed an additional second—witnessing the creation her mother had built dissolve into smithereens.And then she spoke in a low voice, as a promise to the ghosts of the wiring,"Rest now, Mom. It's over."BOOM!The globe burst in a blast of flames and silver light. The ground trembled at their feet as they escaped from the room, the ashes of the Core blazing.EXT. GENEVA – FEDERAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU – DAYRain had turned into cold drizzle.Valeria stood at the feet of the tall government building, soaked to the bone, but unshaken. Her co
THE CORE CHAMBER — INSIDE MONTECH VAULTSmoke wrapped around the walls like snakes. The Core beat behind her—vibrant, alive.Valeria's hands were clenched at her sides, her breathing slow, shaking breaths. Not because she was afraid.Because she was angry. Because she was heritage. Because she was blood."I see it now, finally," she spoke, voice low but resolute. "You're not the mastermind behind anything, Sebastian. You were just a shadow. A coward sneaking in my mother's light."Sebastian's mouth curled, even though blood had begun to line his teeth. "Still using borrowed fire, I see.""You're nothing more than a parasite," she growled, advancing, the light of the Core flashing in her eyes. "You clung to the greatness of my mother, fed on her drive, and now you expect to steal our legacy like a pilfered crown?You have the nerve to stand there and act like you know what this power is?" he growled, taking a step forward. "You, who disappeared for years, who stuck your head in the san
He nodded. "Then it's time we stop running."Kc's words hung there, suspended in the air like a flame burning with fury.Valeria searched his face, and for the first time, she saw not only the man who had chased her, not only the man who had cursed her life—but the man who would now sacrifice his own life to protect it."We go to Geneva Kc," Valeria whispered.Kc nodded once again. "We go to claim what's yours."Valeria stared at the screen packed with layers of encrypted files—bank accounts, deed titles, tech patents—all that had belonged to the late Celeste Montecillo, her mother.Kc stood beside her, his arms crossed, reading over the data."So this is what Sebastian wants," he whispered. "Power to topple a government, remake nations."Valeria ground her jaw. "But it was never meant for him."She halted, voice trembling with emotion. "It was meant to defend, not kill. That's why my mother hid it. That's why she never told anyone—not even me.""You don't believe you're ready for thi