Chapter 9: A Dangerous Game

The shadows clung to Amara as she crouched behind a stack of crates in the dimly lit warehouse. The scent of gasoline and damp concrete filled her nostrils, mixing with the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She had spent the past few weeks piecing together Liam's darkest secrets, and tonight was a goldmine. From her hidden position, she watched as Liam Hargrove sealed another ruthless deal, his sharp voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

"You'll get the shipment next week," Liam said coolly, his voice devoid of emotion. "I don't care what happens after that—just make sure it doesn't lead back to me."

The man across from him, a wiry figure with a scar along his jaw, nodded. "And the payment?"

Liam pulled a sleek black phone from his pocket, tapped the screen, and within seconds, the scarred man's phone buzzed. "It's done."

Amara's fingers gripped the edge of her phone, her heart hammering in her chest as she recorded every word. This was it—the proof she needed.

But then—a creak.

A small sound, but one that shattered the silence.

Liam's head snapped up, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. "Who's there?"

Amara held her breath, flattening herself against the cold concrete. The air felt suffocating.

One of Liam's men reached for a flashlight, the beam slicing through the darkness.

Think fast.

In one fluid motion, Amara grabbed a small metal pipe from the ground and flung it toward the far side of the warehouse. The clatter echoed through the space.

"There!" One of the guards rushed toward the sound.

Now or never.

Amara slipped through the back exit, sprinting down the alleyway, her lungs burning. Behind her, she heard Liam's voice barking orders, but she didn't stop.

She had the evidence. She had won tonight.

A Glimpse into the Past

The cold water pooled around her feet as she stood in the rain, staring at the mansion where she had once been killed.

In her past life, she hadn't understood what was happening. She had loved Liam. She had believed in him, defended him.

She had thought his business empire was built on intelligence and hard work.

But the truth had been darker.

She had walked into a storm she hadn't seen coming.

Liam had ordered her death like it was a simple business decision. She had been a liability. A threat to his empire.

And now?

Now she understood.

This time, she would be the one calling the shots.

The Anonymous Call

Amara sat in her car, gripping her burner phone tightly. The city lights blurred through the windshield, but she wasn't focusing on them.

It was time.

She pressed the dial button.

"911, what's your emergency?"

Her voice was calm, steady. "I have evidence of an illegal arms deal happening under Liam Hargrove's orders. You'll find everything at this address."

She listed the details, then hung up.

No names. No traces.

She had learned from her past mistakes.

Liam's Escape

The police stormed the warehouse an hour later.

Liam was calm, too calm.

He had seen the signs—something had felt off all evening.

His men scattered, but he had already planned his exit route. Within minutes, he was out, disappearing into the city before the police could get close.

By the time he returned to his penthouse, he was seething.

"How the hell did they know?" His voice was ice-cold, sending shivers through his team.

His right-hand man, Daniel, shook his head. "We have no leaks. I checked."

Liam's eyes narrowed. "Then explain why the police were already on our tail before we even left the warehouse."

Silence.

Someone was playing a dangerous game.

And Liam didn't like to lose.

A Chance Encounter

Amara's lips curled into a smirk as she walked through the luxurious shopping mall, a sense of satisfaction humming through her veins.

The news had already spread—the police had raided one of Liam's sites. The investigation had officially begun.

Then, fate intervened.

She turned a corner—and collided straight into Liam Hargrove.

For a split second, their eyes locked. She saw the tension in his jaw, the calculating gleam in his eyes.

But she? She played the role of the amused bystander.

"Liam," she drawled, stepping back. "Fancy seeing you here. Shopping for another overpriced watch?"

His expression remained unreadable, but she knew he was watching her closely, studying her reactions.

"Amara," he greeted smoothly. "Surprised to see me?"

She shrugged. "Not really. The city is small for men like you."

A beat of silence.

Then she tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "By the way, I heard something interesting today. Apparently, the police raided some illegal warehouse last night. I wonder which unfortunate businessman they were after?"

Liam's fingers twitched slightly. A small movement, but she caught it.

He smirked, masking any concern. "Interesting indeed. You seem rather invested in such news."

Amara laughed, light and teasing. "Oh, I love a good scandal. Watching powerful men squirm? It's entertaining."

Liam's eyes darkened just a fraction, but he kept his composure. "Well, I wouldn't worry too much. A man in my position always has enemies."

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "And friends?"

Liam studied her for a long moment. "That depends on where their loyalties lie."

She smiled, stepping past him. She had rattled him.

And that? That was victory.

Liam's Suspicion

The moment he returned to his office, Liam dismissed his staff, pacing the length of his private suite.

The police investigation. The near miss at the warehouse. And then—Amara's little act at the mall.

Something wasn't adding up.

She had seemed too amused. Too casual.

Could she have been involved?

No. Impossible.

She was an artist. A businesswoman. She had no reason to meddle in his world.

And yet…

Liam exhaled slowly.

For the first time in a long while, he had the nagging feeling that he was being played.

And he didn't like it.