Danger

The hidden passage Elias had revealed led them deep beneath Wolfe's compound. The air was damp and heavy, and every footstep echoed ominously. Alexander, always cautious, kept his weapon raised, his mind cycling through contingency plans.

Elias walked ahead, his movements confident but not careless. "This tunnel was built as an escape route. Wolfe doesn't use it often, but he's paranoid enough to have guards stationed near the end."

Selena exchanged a glance with Alexander, her unease palpable. "Convenient that you know so much about his setup. Too convenient."

Elias stopped abruptly and turned, his expression hard. "You think I don't know how this looks? I wouldn't trust me either, but I didn't spend years tracking Wolfe just to help him win. I want him gone as much as you do."

Alexander stepped forward, his voice low and commanding. "You've got one chance to prove yourself. Get us to Wolfe. Anything short of that, and you won't make it out of this tunnel."

Elias held Alexander's gaze for a long moment before nodding. "Understood."

Back at the estate, Mia paced the library, her mind racing. Victor Stanton's revelation had shaken her to the core. She couldn't shake the feeling that Alexander was walking into a trap.

Lucas approached her cautiously. "Mrs. Blackwood, is there anything else we can do? I've already tightened security around the estate."

Mia stopped pacing, her hands trembling. "There has to be a way to get a message to Alexander. He needs to know Wolfe's obsession isn't just about power—it's personal. That changes everything."

Lucas hesitated before replying. "We have a secure satellite link. I could patch a message through to his comms, but it'll be risky. If Wolfe's people are monitoring the area, it could compromise their position."

Mia's heart clenched. She didn't want to put Alexander at greater risk, but the weight of what she'd learned was too significant to ignore.

"Do it," she said firmly. "He needs to know."

As predicted, guards were stationed at the end of the tunnel. Elias held up a hand, signaling for silence. He pointed to the two guards ahead, outlining their positions with precise gestures.

Selena rolled her eyes. "I don't need a lesson in infiltration," she whispered, moving swiftly into position.

In a matter of seconds, Selena neutralized one guard while Alexander took down the other. Elias didn't so much as flinch.

"Impressive," he muttered.

Alexander turned to him, his tone sharp. "Focus. Where's Wolfe?"

Elias nodded toward a metal door ahead. "Through there. It leads to his operations room."

As Alexander moved forward, his comm buzzed again. This time, it was Lucas.

"Alexander, Mia insisted I get a message through to you. We've uncovered more about Wolfe's vendetta. It's tied to your father. He—"

The signal cut out abruptly, replaced by static.

"Damn it," Alexander muttered, his frustration mounting. He didn't need distractions now, but the mention of his father's involvement made his jaw tighten.

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Trouble?"

"None of your concern," Alexander snapped.

The metal door creaked open, revealing a vast room filled with monitors, maps, and a table strewn with documents. At the center stood Marcus Wolfe, flanked by two heavily armed bodyguards.

"Alexander Blackwood," Wolfe said, his voice dripping with mockery. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

Alexander stepped forward, his weapon trained on Wolfe. "It's over, Wolfe. Your empire ends tonight."

Wolfe chuckled, his confidence unnerving. "You think you've won? You have no idea what you've walked into."

Before Alexander could respond, Wolfe pressed a button on a remote. The room's monitors flickered to life, displaying live feeds of multiple locations.

One screen showed Mia at the estate, pacing the library. Another showed a team of armed men approaching the estate's perimeter.

Alexander's blood ran cold.

"You thought you could outmaneuver me," Wolfe sneered. "But I've always been one step ahead. While you've been busy chasing shadows, I've been preparing to destroy everything you hold dear."

Selena's voice cut through the tension. "We need to move, now."

But Alexander didn't budge. His focus was locked on Wolfe, his rage simmering just beneath the surface.

"You've made a mistake," Alexander said, his voice low and deadly.

Wolfe raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"You underestimated me."

With a sudden, fluid motion, Alexander fired, taking out one of Wolfe's bodyguards. Chaos erupted as Selena and Elias sprang into action, engaging the remaining guard and Wolfe himself.

As the firefight raged, Alexander's mind raced. He needed to end this quickly and get back to Mia.

Elias proved his worth once again, disarming Wolfe with a calculated strike. "Go," he shouted to Alexander. "I'll handle him!"

Alexander hesitated for a split second before nodding. He trusted Selena to keep things under control.

Rushing out of the room, he called Selena on his comm. "Secure Wolfe. I'm heading back to the estate."

Selena's voice crackled in response. "Understood. Be careful."

At the estate, Mia's anxiety grew. The security system alerted her to the approaching threat, and Lucas quickly mobilized the guards.

"Mia, we need to get you to a safe room," Lucas urged.

But Mia shook her head, her instincts screaming that something bigger was at play. "No. I need to be ready for whatever comes."