Chapter 14 - Blood and Consequences

A heartbeat.

That's all it took.

Nathan didn't hesitate. He yanked Vanessa's arm tighter, reached into his jacket, and then,

Bang.

The gunshot echoed against the rooftop walls.

Vanessa's body went still. Her smirk faded as she staggered forward, a crimson stain blooming across her chest.

Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something. But no words came.

Then she collapsed.

Damian exhaled, his muscles tensed as Vanessa's lifeless body hit the cold concrete.

Nathan let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders like he had just finished a business deal. "She talked too much."

Before Damian could respond

Sirens.

Flashing blue and red lights filled the alleyway below.

Nathan cursed under his breath. "Perfect timing."

Damian turned sharply as footsteps pounded up the stairwell. His breath caught when he saw

Eve.

She pushed through the rooftop door, her eyes wide, her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. And behind her,

Police officers stormed in, weapons raised.

"Freeze! Hands in the air!"

Damian didn't move. His gaze was locked on Eve.

"What the hell is this?" Nathan muttered, raising his hands slowly.

The lead officer's expression was unreadable. "We received a tip about a confrontation. And now we have a dead body." He gestured to Vanessa's motionless form. "Someone's going down for this."

Damian's jaw clenched.

Eve took a shaky step forward, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Damian…"

Everything had spiraled.

Vanessa was dead. Nathan had blood on his hands.

And now

Damian and Eve were caught in the crossfire.

The Fall of Nathan Voss

Nathan's face twisted as the police closed in.

"I'd think carefully before making a move," the lead officer warned. "You're already in deep."

Nathan scoffed, but Damian could see the shift in his eyes. He was calculating, looking for a way out.

Damian stepped forward. "Nathan Voss murdered Vanessa." His voice was sharp, controlled. "Self-interest. Betrayal. He's always been that kind of man."

Nathan's jaw clenched. "You really want to pin this on me?"

Damian smirked. "You pulled the trigger."

The officers exchanged looks before one of them grabbed Nathan's arm, yanking it behind his back.

"This is ridiculous," Nathan snapped. "You have no proof"

"The body's fresh," the officer cut in. "And we have Eve's statement."

Nathan's head snapped toward Eve, his expression unreadable.

Eve's voice was steady. "I saw it happen."

Nathan stared at her for a long moment, then let out a bitter laugh. "Of course. Damian's perfect little journalist."

The officers shoved him toward the stairwell. "You have the right to remain silent"

Nathan's glare burned into Damian as he was dragged away. "This isn't over, Blackwood."

Damian didn't flinch. "Yes, it is."

The rooftop fell silent as the sirens faded.

Eve turned to Damian, searching his face. "Are you okay?"

Damian finally exhaled. "I am now."

But even as he pulled Eve into his arms, he couldn't shake the feeling,

Nathan might be gone, but the shadows of the past never truly disappeared.

And something told him…

This was only the beginning.