The safe house was quiet, the hum of the generator the only sound breaking the stillness. Leon sat at the table, poring over blueprints of the Architect’s compound. I leaned over his shoulder, pointing at an entry point that looked promising.“This tunnel here,” I said, tracing my finger along the map. “It’s less guarded, but it connects directly to the main hall. If we can get through without alerting them, we might have a shot.”Leon nodded, his eyes fixed on mine for a moment longer than necessary. “Good catch. You’ve got an eye for strategy.”I felt my cheeks flush, and before I could respond, William’s voice cut through the room like a blade.“Is this a strategy session or a date?”I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and his jaw tight. His tone was light, but his eyes betrayed his irritation.“We’re working,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral.“Sure you are,” William replied, pushing off the wall and walking over. He stood close, his presence
The tension between Leon and William had become unbearable. Every mission, every conversation, even the briefest shared glance—it all carried the weight of their unresolved animosity. It wasn’t just frustrating; it was dangerous.After days of trying to keep the peace, I knew I had to make a choice. And it wasn’t one I wanted to make.It was late, the safe house quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside. I found Leon in the small balcony area, leaning against the railing with a glass of whiskey in hand.He turned as I approached, a small smile softening his features. “Couldn’t sleep either?”I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “We need to talk.”The smile faded. He set the glass down and faced me fully. “That sounds ominous.”“It’s about you and William,” I began, keeping my voice steady. “This… whatever it is between you two—it’s getting out of hand. It’s putting everyone at risk.”His jaw tightened, but he said nothing, letting me continue.“I can’t have this,” I said fi
The night before the mission felt endless, the silence in the safe house broken only by the occasional creak of the building settling. Sleep was elusive, and I found myself wandering the halls, lost in thought.The tension between Leon and William had dulled into an uneasy truce, but I knew it was only a matter of time before it resurfaced. The two men were too different—each brilliant in his own way but driven by conflicting instincts.I rounded the corner to the kitchen and stopped short. Leon was there, his back to me as he poured a glass of water. The dim light cast sharp shadows on his face, highlighting the exhaustion etched into his features.“You’re up late,” I said softly.He turned, startled, then relaxed when he saw me. “Couldn’t sleep,” he admitted.“Me neither.”For a moment, we stood in silence, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on us.“I didn’t mean for things to get so complicated,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.His eyes darkened, a flick
The atmosphere in the safe house was oppressive, the tension between Leon’s absence and William’s continued presence casting a shadow over everything. I tried to focus on the mission, burying my emotions in plans and preparations, but the hollow ache in my chest refused to fade.It wasn’t long before the consequences of Leon’s departure became apparent. Without his intuitive strategies, we struggled to keep ahead of Justin’s network. Every decision felt heavier, every move riskier. And William’s relentless control only added to the pressure.One evening, as we regrouped in the war room, William’s frustration boiled over.“We’re losing ground,” he snapped, slamming his fist onto the table. “This wouldn’t be happening if Leon hadn’t left.”“Don’t you dare blame him,” I shot back, my voice sharp. “You pushed him away just as much as I did.”William’s gaze darkened, his usual calm facade slipping. “He left because he couldn’t handle the reality of this situation. That’s not my fault.”“Eno
The days after Leon’s departure were heavy with tension. William, though visibly more at ease, carried a weight of guilt that I couldn’t ignore. His eyes would linger on me during strategy meetings, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.Letty, ever perceptive, broke the silence as we reviewed maps of our next target zone.“You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world,” she remarked, her tone gentle but probing.I glanced at her and forced a smile. “Just trying to keep everything from falling apart.”“You mean keeping William and Leon from killing each other,” she said with a smirk. “You know, you could just let them fight it out. Might do them both some good.”“Not funny,” I muttered, though a small chuckle escaped despite myself.Her smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. “You miss him, don’t you?”I didn’t respond, but the silence was enough of an answer.That evening, as I prepared for bed, there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, I was
The forest was quiet, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I approached the clearing where Leon had asked to meet. His silhouette stood out against the faint glow of the moon, his hands shoved into his pockets as he waited.“You’re late,” he said when I arrived, his voice laced with mock annoyance.“I had to make sure no one followed me,” I replied, stepping closer.Leon’s expression softened as he studied me. “You’ve been avoiding me.”“I had to,” I admitted, crossing my arms. “The tension between you and William is affecting the entire team. I can’t let personal issues jeopardize what we’re trying to accomplish.”Leon took a step toward me, closing the distance between us. “Is that what this is to you? A personal issue?”His question caught me off guard, and I looked away, unable to meet his gaze.“Margarette,” he said softly, his hand reaching out to tilt my chin up. “You can’t keep running from this.”“I’m not running,” I whispered, though my voice lacked conviction.“Ye
The tension between Leon and William was like a storm cloud looming over everything we did. Every glance, every exchange of words between them felt like a battle waiting to happen.But it wasn’t until our next strategy meeting that the dam finally broke.The meeting room was dimly lit, the sound of rain pattering against the windows. I sat at the head of the table, trying to maintain order as Leon and William debated the next steps in the mission.“It’s too risky to involve her directly,” William argued, his voice rising. “We need to handle this ourselves.”“She’s more than capable,” Leon shot back, leaning forward in his chair. “You’re underestimating her, as usual.”“I’m protecting her!” William slammed his hand on the table, the sound echoing in the room. “Something you clearly don’t care about.”Leon stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “Don’t you dare question my intentions. I’ve done more to keep her safe than you ever will.”“Enough!” I shouted, rising to my fe
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the estate. I tried to push the tension from the previous day out of my mind, but the weight of it lingered like an unwanted guest. Leon and William had been avoiding each other—or so I thought.It started in the courtyard again. I had been reviewing plans with Letty when I heard raised voices echoing through the open space. My heart sank; I knew who it was before I even turned the corner.“You think you’re her protector?” Leon’s voice was sharp, dripping with sarcasm. “You’re nothing but an obstacle in her life.”William stood tall, his jaw clenched and his fists at his sides. “At least I don’t hurt her like you do.”I sprinted toward them, panic rising in my chest. “Stop it, both of you!”Neither man looked at me, their focus entirely on each other. Leon took a step forward, his fists curling. “You have no idea what she needs.”“And you do?” William shot back. “You’ve done nothing but make her life more c
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
The safe house felt suffocating, the air thick with unspoken tension. Every second we wasted gave Vincent more time to prepare. More time to strike.I wasn’t going to let that happen.Leon stood by the table, his hands braced against the surface, muscles tight with frustration. Dorian, despite the pain from his injury, sat nearby, flipping a knife between his fingers—a habit he had when deep in thought.“We need a lead,” Leon finally said, his voice low and controlled. “We can’t storm in blind.”I paced near the window, arms crossed. “We do have a lead. This locket.” I held it up, the metal catching the dim light. “Vincent had it for a reason. He wanted me to see it. Why?”Dorian exhaled sharply. “Because he’s playing with you.”I shook my head. “No. There’s more to it. He wouldn’t go through the trouble of planting something from my past just to taunt me. He wants me to remember something.”Leon’s gaze darkened. “Then let’s start at the beginning. The night of the accident.”My throa
The salty night air carried the hum of distant ship engines and the occasional murmur of dock workers. But this wasn’t just a routine shipment—this was a calculated exchange of power, a moment that could unravel everything Elise’s father had hidden for years.I crouched behind a stack of shipping containers with Leon beside me. Dorian’s team was spread out, positioned along the pier, watching, waiting. A dark van was parked near the edge of the dock, its back doors open. Men in suits moved between the van and the cargo, transferring crates that likely held more than just money.Leon’s voice was low in my ear. “Four men on the ground, two near the van. More could be inside.”I nodded, my gaze locked on the crates. “That’s not just cash, Leon. That’s leverage. He wouldn’t move it unless he was running scared.”Dorian’s voice crackled through our earpieces. “We take them now, we risk losing the files. We wait too long, we risk backup showing up.”I made the decision before anyone else co
Dorian smirked. “Relax, lover boy. I’m not saying she’s defenseless—I’m saying we need to be smart about this.”Leon’s glare didn’t waver, but he didn’t argue either. He knew Dorian was right.I exhaled, my fingers tightening around the locket that had started all of this. “So what do we do?”Dorian sighed. “You have two choices: disappear and hope they forget about you… or go after them first.”Leon tensed beside me. “You’re suggesting we take the fight to them?”Dorian shrugged. “Elise’s father had powerful connections. Some of them might scatter now that he’s locked up, but the smart ones? They’ll wait. Watch. See what you do next.”I swallowed hard. “Then we don’t give them time to plan.”Leon turned to me, his expression dark. “You’re sure about this?”I met his gaze. “I didn’t come this far just to hide.”Dorian grinned. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”Alexa shifted uncomfortably. “I wish I had your courage.”I reached for her hand. “You have more than you think.”She gave
The night before our departure, I barely slept. The weight of the locket pressed against my collarbone, a silent reminder that my past was no longer buried—it was clawing its way back to the surface.Leon must have sensed my restlessness because he found me in the kitchen before dawn, staring into my untouched cup of coffee.“You’re thinking too much.”I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head. “You always say that.”“Because it’s always true.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Second thoughts?”“No,” I said. “Just… doubts. What if I don’t find the answers I’m looking for? What if I’m just chasing ghosts?”Leon studied me for a long moment before stepping closer, his fingers grazing the locket at my neck. “Then we chase them together.”My chest tightened at the quiet intensity in his voice.Before I could respond, Dorian’s voice cut through the stillness. “Time to go.”The drive to the estate was long and silent. Alexa had insisted on coming, despite her injuries. She
The moment Elise’s father whistled, chaos erupted. Gunfire cracked through the air, sending dock workers scattering. Shadows moved between the containers—his men, heavily armed and ready.Leon pulled me behind a stack of crates as bullets ricocheted off the metal. “Dorian, how many?”Dorian’s voice came sharp through the earpiece. “At least eight. They were waiting for you.”I clenched my teeth. Of course, he knew we’d come.Leon checked his ammo. “We need to take them out before he reaches the cargo ship.”I exhaled, steadying my grip on my gun. “Then let’s end this.”Leon moved first, stepping out just long enough to fire three quick shots. A grunt of pain echoed through the night. One down.Dorian’s rifle cracked, taking out another.I kept close to the containers, listening—waiting. A figure rushed toward me. I ducked just as he swung a knife, feeling the blade slice the air above my head.Without hesitation, I drove my elbow into his ribs, twisting his wrist until the knife clatt
The weight of the file in my hands was suffocating. The words blurred together, but the truth was undeniable—my father hadn’t just been a scientist. He had been a test subject. And Elise’s father had orchestrated it all.Leon took the file from me carefully, his jaw tight as he read through the documents. “This wasn’t just research. They were experimenting on people.”Dorian exhaled sharply. “And your father was one of them.”I clenched my fists. “But why? What were they trying to do?”Leon flipped to the last page, scanning the details. His eyes darkened. “Something about genetic resilience. Accelerated healing. They were looking for ways to manipulate biological responses to trauma.”My stomach churned. “You mean… like making people stronger?”“Stronger, faster, immune to certain injuries.” Leon met my gaze, his voice heavy. “Margarette, they weren’t just studying human endurance. They were creating something.”A chill ran down my spine. “Creating what?”Dorian shifted uncomfortably
The room felt heavier now, as if the ghosts of the past had never truly left. My father’s study had once been a place of quiet authority, filled with the scent of polished wood and old books. Now, it was chaos—a graveyard of secrets waiting to be unearthed.Leon and Dorian moved swiftly, sifting through papers, searching for anything that might explain my father’s connection to Elise’s father. But my hands trembled as I flipped through the documents.My father’s handwriting stared back at me in sharp, deliberate strokes.Project Haven—Initiated 20 years agoI frowned. “Project Haven?”Leon peered over my shoulder. “That name mean anything to you?”I shook my head, but something about it felt... familiar. Like a memory I had brushed against in passing but never grasped fully.Dorian pulled a dust-covered filing box from beneath the desk. “We’ve got more.” He popped the latch and revealed stacks of old documents, some stamped with red ink.CONFIDENTIAL.I swallowed hard as I pulled out
The weight of the locket in my palm was heavier than I remembered. The last time I had seen it, I was a child—too young to understand the depth of what had been stolen from me. And now, years later, it had resurfaced in the hands of a man who had every reason to use it against me.Leon’s grip on my knees tightened. “We need to figure out why he has this.”I nodded, but my thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in memories I had buried long ago. My parents. Their deaths. The accident—or what I had been told was an accident.I took a shaky breath. “This locket... it was my mother’s. She gave it to me the day before she died.” My voice wavered. “When they found me after the accident, it was gone.”Leon’s eyes darkened. “Someone took it.”“Not just someone,” I whispered. “Elise’s father.”Dorian entered the room, his usual calm demeanor slightly frayed. “I just got word. Elise’s father left town hours ago. Whatever game he’s playing, he planned this move in advance.”Leon cursed under his breat