Episode 20: The Devil’s Move

Season 1: Rise of the Villain

Episode 20: The Devil's Move

The sight of blood smeared across the walls made Damien's grip tighten around his gun.

"You're too late."

The message wasn't just a taunt. It was a declaration of war.

Damien stormed through the empty house, his mind racing. The overturned furniture, the broken glass—it all pointed to a struggle.

"They took her," Isabella whispered, her voice barely holding together.

Vega checked the blood on the wall. "This isn't enough for someone to be dead. It's a warning."

Damien forced himself to stay calm. "Jean, do you have anything? Cameras? Witnesses?"

Jean Laurent exhaled, lighting another cigarette. "There's a café across the street. Owner's an old friend. I'll ask around."

Damien nodded. "Do it. We don't have time."

Nikolai knelt by the shattered window, his sharp eyes scanning the area. "They moved fast. No gunfire, no neighbors calling the police. This wasn't a sloppy hit—this was professional."

Damien's jaw clenched. Salazar had planned this.

And that meant he was sending a message.

Jean returned ten minutes later. "Got something." He handed Damien a phone, playing a grainy security feed.

The footage showed a black van pulling up to the house less than an hour ago. Men in masks stormed inside, dragging out a figure—too small to be an adult.

Elena.

Damien's chest tightened.

"They took her alive," Jean confirmed. "But there's something else."

The footage zoomed in, focusing on a man standing near the van. He wasn't masked like the others.

Damien recognized him instantly.

Marco Ruiz.

A name that tasted like poison.

Marco had been one of Salazar's top enforcers—cold, methodical, and ruthless. If he was involved, this wasn't just a kidnapping.

This was personal.

Damien pulled out his phone and dialed a number he never wanted to use again.

Salazar answered after two rings.

"I was wondering when you'd call," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Where is she?" Damien growled.

Salazar chuckled. "Now, now. Is that any way to ask for something?"

Damien's fingers curled into a fist. "You took my daughter."

Salazar let out a mock sigh. "Daughter? You didn't even know she existed. What kind of father does that make you?"

Damien didn't take the bait. "I don't care what game you're playing, Salazar. Give her back."

Silence. Then—

"You want her?" Salazar finally said. "Come get her."

Then the line went dead.

Damien lowered the phone, his rage cold and controlled.

"He wants me to come for her," he said. "He thinks he's in control."

Nikolai smirked. "Then let's show him what happens when he's wrong."

Vega loaded his rifle. "We hit them hard. Fast. No one walks away."

Jean handed Damien a new pistol. "Salazar thinks he's already won."

Damien's eyes burned with fury.

"He's about to learn how wrong he is."

To be continued...