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The room seemed appear as though it had shrink as Daniel’s words hung in the air. Someone else pulling the strings? How deep did this rabbit hole go?I lowered the bat but didn’t let it out of my grip. Lucas giggled in the living room, blissfully unaware of the chaos unraveling just a few feet away. His laughter felt like a lifeline, a reminder of what I was fighting for.“Who?” I asked, my voice colder than I felt. “Who’s behind Victor?”Daniel ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his usual bravado cracking under the weight of whatever he was about to say. “I don’t have a name yet. They operate through intermediaries, offshore accounts, layers of deniability. But I know one thing—they have resources Victor could only dream of.”“That’s not good enough,” I hissed. “If you’re here to help, I need specifics.”“I’m risking my life being here, Margarette!” he shot back, his voice rising. “You think I don’t know what kind of monster Victor is? If he finds out I’ve come to you—”“Then may
The silence that followed Daniel’s revelation was suffocating. My mind raced as I tried to process his words. Victor wasn’t the mastermind? There was someone else pulling the strings? The thought was both terrifying and maddening.I gestured for him to sit, still gripping the bat. “You have five minutes. Talk.”Daniel didn’t sit. Instead, he paced the living room like a caged animal, his hands moving restlessly. “Victor’s dangerous, yeah, but he’s a puppet in all of this. The real player—he’s been using Victor to clean up loose ends and consolidate power.”“Who?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. “Who’s behind all this?”Daniel hesitated, his jaw tightening. “I don’t know his real name. People in the circles I’ve been in call him ‘The Architect.’ He’s... meticulous, calculating. Always ten steps ahead. Victor’s just one of his pawns.”“The Architect,” I repeated, the name tasting bitter on my tongue. “Why would someone like that care about me?”“It’s not jus
The moment Daniel and I decided to move, everything kicked into overdrive. We worked through the night, piecing together the clues from Elena’s words and Gerald’s ongoing investigation. If "they" were coming for Lucas, we had to act fast—not just to protect him, but to gain the upper hand against The Architect.By dawn, we had a plan. Gerald arranged for Lucas to be relocated to a safe house outside the city—a heavily guarded estate that only a handful of trusted allies knew about. It was isolated but equipped with every resource we might need.The ride there was tense. Lucas sat between Daniel and me in the back of the SUV, his usually confident demeanor subdued. He’d been briefed about the situation, but the weight of it was clearly sinking in.“So, this Architect,” Lucas said, his voice tight. “Do we even know what they want?”“Power,” Daniel replied without hesitation. “And they’ll use you—or take you out—to get it.”Lucas glanced at me. “And you? What do you think?”I hesitated, m
The morning after the plaza incident, we found ourselves gathered around a battered coffee table in the safe house. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving only exhaustion and the weight of unanswered questions.Lucas sipped his coffee, staring at the floor. “What if there are more bombs? More plans we didn’t uncover?”“There probably are,” Daniel said bluntly, pacing near the window. “But we stopped this one. That’s a start.”Gerald sat down with a heavy sigh. “We’re dealing with someone who thrives on chaos. They’ll regroup faster than we can imagine. We need to keep moving.”I rubbed my temples, the events of the night playing on a loop in my mind. “The Architect wanted us to see that feed. It was personal. Why?”“Because they’re not done with us,” Gerald said, his tone grim. “And they want us to know it.”Later that afternoon, a message came through on an encrypted line—a contact Gerald had been working to establish for weeks.“It’s from someone calling themselves ‘Harbinger,’” Geral
The morning after the chaos at the warehouse, I sat by the window of the safe house, nursing a lukewarm cup of coffee. The city outside felt eerily calm, like it didn’t know how close it had come to disaster. My thoughts kept drifting to Harbinger, her trembling hands, and the look in her eyes before Daniel pulled the trigger.She wasn’t evil—just desperate. And desperation makes people dangerous.“Morning,” William’s voice cut through my thoughts as he entered the room. He looked worn, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by something more subdued.“Hey,” I said, managing a weak smile.He sat down across from me, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. Something was bothering him.“You’ve been... different lately,” William said after a long pause, his voice hesitant.I blinked, startled. “Different how?”“Distant,” he admitted, not meeting my gaze. “You’ve got a lot on your plate—I get that. But it feels like... like I’m not part of your world anymore.”The weight of his
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows of the safe house, casting long golden streaks across the floor. The light felt almost out of place against the tension that lingered in the air. It had been less than twenty-four hours since I’d agreed to resume wedding plans with William, yet the decision still felt surreal.He hadn’t wasted any time. As I padded into the kitchen, still rubbing sleep from my eyes, I found him poring over what looked like wedding planning guides spread out across the dining table. A steaming cup of coffee sat beside him, and his brow was furrowed in concentration.“Good morning,” he greeted me with a warm smile, his blue eyes lighting up. “I hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and started brainstorming.”I blinked at the sight, caught between surprise and admiration. William had always been proactive—whether in battle or in life—but seeing him so engrossed in something as normal as wedding plans was jarring.“I don’t mind,” I replied, sliding i
The morning light seeped through the blinds of the safe house, casting soft streaks of gold on the worn-out carpet. My coffee sat untouched on the table, a quiet testament to the swirl of emotions in my chest. Gerald had briefed us on the mission, yet my mind kept drifting elsewhere—to the promise I had made William, to the looming battle with The Architect, and to the fractured pieces of my past.The wedding.I had given William my word to move forward, but the weight of that promise sat heavily on my shoulders. A thousand questions raced through my mind. Where would we even begin? Could I truly focus on something as monumental as a wedding while the world seemed to be crumbling around us?“Lost in thought?” William’s voice interrupted my reverie. He stood by the doorway, arms crossed, a soft smile playing on his lips.“Always,” I replied, attempting a grin.He walked over, pulling a chair close. “Gerald gave us two days to regroup before the mission. Let’s use them. Just us. No plan
The safe house was no longer just a refuge; it had become a war room. Maps, files, and tactical gear littered every surface, a stark reminder of the battle closing in. Gerald’s revelation about The Architect’s plan to target the wedding sent shockwaves through the team.“We need to cancel,” William declared, his jaw tight with resolve.“No,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the tense air. “If we cancel, they’ll know we’re afraid. They’ll take it as a victory.”“Margarette,” William began, but I held up a hand to stop him.“This wedding isn’t just about us. It’s about hope. If we let them take that from us, they win,” I argued, my gaze locking with his.William sighed, his resistance softening under the weight of my determination. “Then we need to be ready.”Gerald cleared his throat, stepping forward. “We’ll double security. No one gets in without clearance. But we’ll need an inside informant. Someone close enough to The Architect to know their moves.”All eyes turned to me. Th
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, but its warmth did little to ease the tension curling in my stomach. Elise’s message played over and over in my mind.Meet me at noon. My place. No one else.Leon sat across from me, fingers drumming against the table as he studied the message. He was too quiet. That meant he was already three steps ahead, calculating risks, preparing for anything.Dorian whistled from where he lounged on the couch, sipping his coffee like this was just another casual morning. “So, we’re going or not?”I shot him a glare before turning back to Leon. “What do you think?”Leon leaned back in his chair, considering. “It’s suspicious. Either she’s truly desperate, or she wants us walking into something.”I crossed my arms. “I think we should go.”His gaze flickered to me, sharp and assessing. “If we do, we’re doing it my way.”I nodded. “Fine.”Leon studied me a second longer, then let out a low sigh. “Then let’s get moving.”
The night breeze rolled over the pier, carrying the scent of salt and damp wood. Elise had disappeared into the fog, but the weight of her decision lingered in the air. Leon stood beside me, silent, his hands shoved into the pockets of his coat.“She’s scared,” I murmured.Leon let out a low hum. “Good. Fear makes people careful.”I glanced at him. “And desperate.”He met my gaze, his dark eyes unreadable. “Desperation is useful. If she’s smart, she’ll realize we’re offering her an out before everything collapses.”I let out a slow breath, my mind racing. “And if she’s not?”Leon’s jaw tightened. “Then we make sure she doesn’t get in our way.”There was a finality in his tone that sent a chill down my spine. He wasn’t a man who took risks lightly. He weighed every move, calculated every possibility. It was why I trusted him, even when the path ahead was uncertain.Dorian, who had been leaning against a lamppost, pushed off and stretched lazily. “Well, that was fun. I say we celebrate.
The days turned into weeks, and for the first time in a long time, my life wasn’t consumed by revenge or survival. It was strange, almost unsettling, to wake up without the weight of the past pressing down on me.But Leon made it easier.We spent our days in a quiet rhythm—mornings wrapped in each other, afternoons exploring parts of the city I had never truly appreciated, and evenings spent talking about everything and nothing.One afternoon, Leon surprised me with a drive outside the city. The road stretched ahead of us, winding through rolling green hills and open fields.I turned to him, curious. “Where are we going?”He glanced at me with a smirk. “You’ll see.”After about an hour, we pulled up to a secluded property. A modern house with wide glass windows sat on a hill, overlooking a lake. The air smelled of fresh grass and wildflowers, and the only sound was the distant chirping of birds.I stepped out of the car, taking in the view. “Leon… what is this place?”He walked up bes
The days that followed were a whirlwind of chaos.My father’s downfall was splashed across every news outlet. Financial crimes, money laundering, illegal dealings—his empire was collapsing, and with it, his reputation. His allies abandoned him one by one, choosing self-preservation over loyalty.But he wasn’t the kind of man to go down without a fight.That’s why I wasn’t surprised when I received the message.A single text.Suite 1103. One last talk. Come alone.Leon was furious. “Absolutely not.”I expected that reaction. I also knew there was no changing my mind.“Leon, this is my fight. My ending to write.”His eyes darkened. “He’s cornered, Margarette. That makes him more dangerous than ever.”I reached for his hand, squeezing it. “I’ll be fine.”He exhaled sharply. “I don’t trust him.”I smiled softly. “Good. Neither do I.”The Last Conversation—AgainSuite 1103 was dimly lit when I walked in. My father sat by the window, a drink in his hand, staring out at the city he once rule
We had expected my father to retaliate, but I knew he wouldn’t be careless. No, he’d take his time. He’d make sure his counterattack hurt.Which meant we had to strike first.Leon was already making calls before I even had to say anything. His contacts, his men—every piece of leverage we had was being mobilized.Victor paced across the penthouse, his expression tense. “Margarette, I don’t think you understand how much you just provoked him.”I crossed my arms. “Oh, I understand, Victor. That’s the point.”Leon smirked at my words, but his eyes were sharp as he cut in. “We need to draw him out. He’s not going to sit back and lick his wounds. He’s going to come for you.”Victor sighed. “And you’re just waiting for that to happen?”I walked over to the window, watching the city below. “No.” My voice was calm. “We’re leading him exactly where we want.”Victor ran a hand through his hair. “And where is that, exactly?”Leon leaned against the counter, his voice casual but firm. “A place whe
Dorian was right. My father wasn’t sitting idle. He was moving his pieces, fortifying his position before I could strike.But he underestimated me.By morning, I was already on the phone, making calls, pulling in every favor I had left. I wasn’t just going to fight him—I was going to destroy him.Leon watched me from across the kitchen, leaning against the counter, sipping his coffee. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and despite the weight of everything we were up against, he looked completely composed.It irritated me.“Do you ever worry?” I muttered, ending a call and tossing my phone on the counter.Leon smirked. “Constantly.”I gave him a look. “You don’t seem worried.”He set his mug down and closed the distance between us. “Because I don’t show it the way you do.”I exhaled. “I feel like we’re on the edge of something big. Like we’re one wrong move away from losing everything.”Leon tilted his head slightly, studying me. “Margarette.” His
Leon didn’t speak much after that. The drive back was filled with nothing but the hum of the tires on the road and the unspoken weight between us. I wanted to say something—anything—to make him look at me the way he used to. But I knew this wasn’t the time.When we pulled into the underground parking lot of our penthouse, Leon shut off the engine and exhaled through his nose. His hands remained on the wheel, knuckles white.I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Leon—”He turned to me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “You just declared war on your father, Margarette.”I swallowed. “You think I don’t know that?”“That’s the problem.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “This isn’t just about exposing his corruption. Harlan Westwood isn’t the kind of man who forgives betrayal. And you just put a target on your back.”I clenched my jaw. “I’ve had a target on my back ever since I decided to take back what’s mine.”Leon let out a humorless laugh. “And you think he’s just going to let you?”I reac
The night was deceptively peaceful. The city lights stretched far beyond the penthouse windows, illuminating a world that had no idea of the chaos brewing beneath the surface.Leon stood by the window, his sleeves rolled up, his jaw clenched in quiet contemplation. He hadn’t said much since our meeting at the club.I knew why.We had allies now, but it wasn’t enough.We needed more.“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours,” I said, stepping closer.Leon’s fingers tightened around the glass in his hand. “There’s a war coming, Margarette. And I don’t know if I can keep you safe through it.”I scoffed. “You’re still underestimating me?”His jaw ticked. “No. I just—” He exhaled sharply, turning to face me. “I can’t lose you.”The words hit harder than they should have.I swallowed, pushing down the sudden rush of emotion. “Then don’t.”Leon studied me for a long moment, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, before I could react, he pulled me flush against him, his lips capturing mine
By the next morning, the fallout had already begun.Leon and I sat in his penthouse, reviewing the reports pouring in from our contacts. Calloway’s operation had taken a major hit—his Russian allies were furious, his supply lines were compromised, and his reputation was crumbling.But we both knew it wasn’t over.Calloway wouldn’t take this loss lying down.Leon’s fingers drummed against the table, his jaw tight. “He’ll retaliate.”I nodded. “It’s just a matter of when.”Leon’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then answered with a clipped, “What?”A pause.Then his expression darkened.“When?” he demanded.Another pause.“Where is she now?”I sat up straighter, sensing the shift in his energy.Then Leon cursed under his breath and ended the call.“What happened?” I asked.He stood, already grabbing his keys. “Alexa was taken.”My blood ran cold. “By Calloway?”Leon’s jaw clenched. “Looks like it.”I shot up from my seat. “Then let’s go get her.”Alexa’s location was traced to a