A Game of Shadows

Elena barely slept that night. Her mind kept replaying her encounter with Damian King, his words lingering like a warning she couldn't shake off.

By the time the sun rose, she had made a decision.

She couldn't afford to hesitate anymore. If she wanted to get ahead of this, she needed to act first.

She picked up her phone and dialed.

It rang twice before Adrian picked up.

"Did you change your mind already?" His voice was amused but alert.

Elena sighed. "We need to meet. Now."

A pause. Then, "Where?"

She hesitated. "Somewhere secure."

"I'll handle it," Adrian said. "Be ready in ten."

—

An Unexpected Meeting

Elena arrived at the location Adrian sent her—an abandoned bookstore on the outskirts of the city. The once-vibrant sign hung loosely, swaying with the wind. Dust covered the windows, making it impossible to see inside.

Pushing the door open, she stepped in, her hand brushing against the gun at her hip.

Adrian was already there, leaning against a table with a laptop open beside him. He glanced up as she walked in.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," he remarked.

"Close enough," she muttered, shutting the door behind her. "Damian King approached me last night."

That got Adrian's full attention. "What did he say?"

"He knows something is off. He followed me after I left the office."

Adrian's jaw tensed. "You think he suspects you?"

Elena ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know. But he doesn't trust me anymore. That's enough to be dangerous."

Adrian's fingers tapped against the table. "Damian doesn't make random moves. If he approached you, he's testing you. He wants to see if you slip up."

Elena exhaled sharply. "I can't let that happen."

"Then we get ahead of him," Adrian said simply.

Elena frowned. "How?"

Adrian smirked. "By making sure he's looking in the wrong place."

Before she could ask what he meant, the door creaked open.

Elena's instincts kicked in. Her hand flew to her gun, but Adrian didn't move.

A figure stepped inside—a woman with piercing blue eyes and a sharp presence that made Elena tense.

"Relax," Adrian said. "She's with me."

The woman's gaze swept over Elena, assessing. Then, she smirked.

"So," she drawled, "this is the cop you're risking everything for?"

Elena stiffened. "And you are?"

"Lena Moretti," the woman answered. "Adrian's business partner."

Business partner.

Right.

Elena's fingers twitched.

She didn't trust this woman.

And she sure as hell didn't trust whatever "business" she and Adrian were involved in.

—

Truth and Deception

Lena leaned against the table, crossing her arms. "I heard you're finally seeing the truth about your people, Officer Carter."

Elena's jaw tightened. "I don't need your commentary."

Lena chuckled. "Relax, I'm on your side. Well—Adrian's side, at least."

Elena turned to Adrian. "What is she doing here?"

Adrian met her gaze. "Helping."

"Helping how?"

Lena's smirk widened. "By making sure your boss has bigger things to worry about than following you around."

Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"

Adrian tapped his laptop screen.

"Damian King is powerful," he said. "But he's also careful. He won't make a move unless he's certain. That means we have time to shift his focus."

Elena's pulse quickened. "Shift it how?"

Lena answered this time. "By feeding him false leads."

Elena stared at them both. "You want to manipulate one of the most dangerous men in the organization?"

Adrian shrugged. "It's the safest option we have."

Elena wasn't sure if "safe" was the right word.

But she also knew they didn't have another choice.

—

The First Step

That night, Elena sat in her car, gripping her phone as she waited.

Adrian's plan was reckless, but it might just work.

If they could convince Damian that someone else was betraying the organization, he'd shift his attention.

And that would buy them time.

Her phone vibrated.

Adrian: It's done. He took the bait.

Elena let out a slow breath.

Step one was complete.

But something in her gut told her this was just the beginning.

And if they weren't careful, the next trap would be for them.