Episode 26: Nowhere is Safe

Season 1: Rise of the Villain

Episode 26: Nowhere is Safe

The photograph burned in Damien's grip, the red ink smudging under his tightening fingers. Someone had found them. Someone had been watching Elena.

The peaceful illusion of safety shattered in an instant.

Isabella's breath was shaky as she whispered, "What do we do?"

Damien exhaled slowly, forcing his rage down. If he let his emotions control him now, he would make mistakes. And mistakes got people killed.

"We leave," he said firmly. "Now."

Nikolai was already packing weapons. Jean pulled out his phone, making arrangements for a new safe house.

Vega cursed under his breath. "Whoever sent that message, they're not just trying to scare you. They're playing with you."

Damien knew Vega was right.

This wasn't a warning. It was a challenge.

His enemies wanted him to run. Wanted him to feel powerless.

They had no idea who they were dealing with.

"We're not running," Damien decided. "We're relocating. But not because we're afraid." His voice was like ice. "Because I need to find out who sent this, and when I do—"

He didn't need to finish the sentence. They all knew how it would end.

Jean closed his phone. "I have a contact in Spain. Secluded, off the grid. We can be there by morning if we leave now."

Damien turned to Isabella. "Get Elena ready. Tell her we're going on a trip."

She hesitated. "Damien—"

"I'll keep her safe," he said, softer this time. "I promise."

Isabella swallowed, then nodded.

They moved quickly, loading into two black SUVs under the cover of darkness.

Elena, still half-asleep, leaned against Isabella in the back seat. "Where are we going?" she murmured.

"Somewhere safer," Isabella whispered.

Damien watched them through the rearview mirror. His daughter didn't deserve this. She should have been living a normal life, not running from ghosts of his past.

Nikolai drove, Jean navigated. Vega trailed behind in the second vehicle, watching their backs.

They had been driving for an hour when the first gunshot rang out.

The rear windshield exploded.

Elena screamed.

"Down!" Damien shouted, grabbing Isabella and Elena and forcing them to the floor.

Jean pulled his pistol, twisting to fire out the window. "We're being followed!"

Nikolai gritted his teeth, accelerating. "I see them!"

In the side mirror, three black motorcycles raced toward them, their riders masked, their weapons flashing in the moonlight.

More bullets tore through the air, shattering the back of the SUV.

Vega's voice crackled through the radio. "I've got the left one."

A loud bang followed. One of the motorcycles spun out of control, crashing into a ditch.

Damien grabbed a gun and kicked open the door. The wind roared around him as he leaned out, aiming at the second rider.

One shot. Right through the chest.

The biker collapsed, his motorcycle skidding into the road.

The last attacker weaved through the wreckage, now closing in—

Then a sniper shot rang out, and the third rider dropped.

Damien turned to see Vega, rifle in hand, smoke curling from the barrel.

The road fell silent.

They kept driving, not stopping until they reached a remote stretch of the Spanish countryside.

Once they arrived, Damien carried Elena inside. She was trembling, but she didn't cry.

Isabella touched his arm. "She's strong."

Damien exhaled. "She shouldn't have to be."

Jean stepped up, his face grim. "Whoever that was, they didn't just find us. They were waiting."

Damien's grip tightened. This wasn't just revenge. This was personal.

And whoever sent those men had made one fatal mistake.

They came after his daughter.

Now, Damien was going to find them.

And he was going to make them suffer.

To be continued...