CHAPTER 56 – A Deal with the Devil

Alexander had been through hell before, but this time, he was willingly walking into it.

He sat across from Carver, the tension between them thick as smoke. The dim light in the room cast shadows over the scars on Carver's face, making him look even more menacing than usual. He wasn't happy. Not one bit.

"This is suicide," Carver growled, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. "You don't make deals with the devil, Voss. He doesn't bargain. He collects."

Alexander leaned forward, his jaw tight, his body still aching from the wounds of his father's captivity. "Then let him collect." His voice was low, dangerous. "As long as my father burns with me."

Carver scoffed, shaking his head. "You think this guy is gonna help you? That he's just gonna forget the past and fight your battle?"

"He has just as much reason to want my father dead as I do."

Carver exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Jesus Christ, kid." He fixed Alexander with a glare. "You're so damn obsessed with taking him down that you don't see it—you're becoming him."

Alexander froze for a fraction of a second. Just a second.

Then, he shoved the thought aside. He wasn't his father. He wasn't. But he also wasn't going to sit back and wait for death to come knocking. If it meant working with an old enemy, then so be it.

Eve, standing by the window, finally spoke. "Who is this man?"

Alexander's fingers curled into a fist. "His name is Victor Raines."

Carver cursed under his breath. "You have lost your damn mind."

Eve's brows furrowed. "Who is he?"

Carver stood, pacing. "A psychopath. A sadist. And someone who would rather gut you than shake your hand."

Alexander remained unmoved. "And someone my father betrayed."

Eve turned to him, concern flickering in her eyes. "And what makes you think he won't betray you?"

A dark smile pulled at Alexander's lips. "Because I have something he wants."

The meeting was set in an abandoned church on the outskirts of the city. The perfect place for sinners to gather.

Victor Raines arrived with two men, both built like enforcers, their eyes cold and dead. But it was Victor himself who commanded attention. Tall, broad, dressed in a suit that was too clean for the dirt he wallowed in. His silver hair was slicked back, and his smile was nothing short of predatory.

"Well, well," Victor drawled, stepping forward. "If it isn't the ghost himself." His sharp gaze flickered over to Eve. "And his little queen."

Eve didn't flinch. "You know who we are. That means you know why we're here."

Victor chuckled. "Straight to business. I like her." He turned his attention to Alexander. "Tell me, what could possibly bring you crawling to me, of all people?"

Alexander met his gaze head-on. "I need your help to kill my father."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken history. Then, Victor grinned, sharp as a blade.

"Well, now." He tilted his head. "That is interesting."

Carver exhaled harshly behind them. "This is a mistake."

Victor ignored him, stepping closer. "And why would I help you, Alexander? After everything?"

Alexander reached into his coat, pulling out a small USB drive. "Because I have something you've been looking for."

Victor's smile faltered for the first time. His eyes darkened as he took the device. "Is this—?"

Alexander nodded. "Everything my father stole from you. Every deal he made in your name. Every lie he fed your men."

Victor turned the device over in his hand, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he exhaled a laugh. "Well, I'll be damned."

He looked up at Alexander, something almost amused in his gaze. "You've got a death wish."

Alexander's voice was cold. "I've got a mission."

Victor's grin widened. "Fine. Let's burn the bastard to the ground."

Eve exhaled, Carver cursed, and Alexander clenched his fists. The deal was struck. The war was set.

And if he had to walk through hell, he'd make damn sure to drag his father with him.