Chapter 12: A Dangerous Alliance

Elena stared at Damien, her mind racing.

Richard had a son?

It was the last thing she had expected to hear.

"Who is he?" she asked, stepping closer.

Damien's expression was unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his eyes. "Adrian Lawson."

The name sent a chill down her spine.

She had heard of him before—he was infamous in the business world, not because of his father, but because of his own ruthless reputation.

"Richard kept him in the shadows for years," Damien continued, "but Adrian has always been his most valuable asset. He knows things no one else does."

Elena frowned. "If he's so close to his father, why would he help us?"

A slow smirk spread across Damien's face. "Because Adrian hates Richard more than I do."

That caught her off guard.

"Hates him?" she echoed.

Damien nodded. "Richard may have built an empire, but he did it at the cost of his own family. Adrian resents him for it."

Elena's mind whirled. "So you think he has information that could bring Richard down?"

Damien's expression turned serious. "I know he does."

Elena took a deep breath. "Then we need to talk to him."

Damien chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not that simple."

She crossed her arms. "It never is, is it?"

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Adrian doesn't trust easily. And he doesn't do favors without a price."

Elena lifted her chin. "Then we give him a reason to talk."

Damien studied her for a long moment before finally nodding.

"Pack a bag," he said.

She blinked. "What?"

"We're going to New York."

The City That Never Sleeps

Two days later, Elena found herself stepping out of a black car in front of one of Manhattan's most exclusive penthouses.

Damien stood beside her, his sharp suit tailored to perfection. He looked completely at ease, as if he owned the city.

Which, in some ways, he did.

Elena, on the other hand, felt a strange mix of nerves and determination.

Adrian Lawson was a wildcard.

And wildcards were dangerous.

"Are you sure he'll even meet us?" she asked as they stepped into the elevator.

Damien smirked. "He'll meet me."

She raised an eyebrow. "And me?"

His gaze flickered to her, something unreadable in his eyes. "That depends on how charming you are."

She rolled her eyes. "Good thing I'm irresistible, then."

His chuckle was low, dark. "Good thing."

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a sleek, modern penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, and expensive artwork lined the walls.

And in the center of it all stood a man.

Adrian Lawson.

He was tall, with sharp features and cold, calculating blue eyes. Unlike Damien, whose power was effortless, Adrian's felt… dangerous.

Like he thrived on chaos.

"Damien Blackwood," Adrian drawled, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Damien stepped forward. "We need to talk."

Adrian smirked. "Of course you do." His gaze flickered to Elena. "And you brought company. How interesting."

Elena met his stare without flinching. "Elena Carter."

His smirk widened. "Ah. The journalist."

She stiffened. He knew who she was.

Adrian chuckled, taking a slow sip of his drink. "This just got a whole lot more fun."

Elena's heart pounded.

She had a feeling they were about to make a deal with the devil.

And she wasn't sure they would survive it.

Elena held Adrian Lawson's gaze, refusing to be the first to look away.

He was dangerous—she could feel it. But she had faced worse.

Probably.

Adrian smirked, tilting his head as if he were dissecting her. "A journalist, Damien? That's a bold move."

Damien remained impassive. "She's more than capable."

Adrian chuckled. "Oh, I don't doubt that. I've read your work, Ms. Carter. You have a habit of digging into things you shouldn't."

Elena crossed her arms. "And yet, I'm still here."

His smile widened, something dark flickering in his eyes. "For now."

Damien stepped between them, his voice hard. "Enough games, Adrian. We need information on your father."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Straight to the point. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."

Elena's pulse quickened. This was the moment. If Adrian refused to help them, they had nothing.

Adrian set his glass down and leaned against the sleek marble counter, studying them. "You want dirt on Richard? That's easy. There's plenty. But the real question is—what do I get out of it?"

Elena had been expecting this. Men like Adrian never did anything for free.

Damien's jaw clenched. "Name your price."

Adrian's lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. "That's the thing, Damien. You already know what I want."

Damien's entire body went rigid.

Elena frowned. "What is he talking about?"

Adrian's gaze never left Damien's. "It's simple, really. I want my inheritance."

The air in the room shifted.

Damien exhaled sharply. "That's impossible, and you know it."

Adrian's smile didn't falter. "Is it?"

Elena glanced between them, confused. "What inheritance?"

Damien's jaw ticked, but Adrian was the one who answered.

"When my father dies, I'm supposed to inherit forty percent of his company," Adrian said. "But thanks to some very unfortunate legal maneuvers, Richard ensured that my shares remain untouchable while he's alive."

Elena's stomach twisted. "So you want Damien to—"

"Help me take them back," Adrian finished smoothly.

She let out a slow breath. "You want to steal from your own father."

Adrian grinned. "Oh, sweetheart. I don't steal what's already mine."

Damien ran a hand down his face. "You're asking me to start a war, Adrian."

Adrian's expression turned ice cold. "We're already at war, Damien. The only difference is—you're playing defense. I'm offering you a chance to attack."

Silence stretched between them.

Elena's heart pounded.

She knew Damien. He was a strategist. He didn't take reckless risks. But this… this wasn't just a risk.

This was personal.

Damien finally looked at her, his gray eyes unreadable.

Elena held his gaze. "It's your choice," she said quietly.

He exhaled slowly before turning back to Adrian.

"You help us take Richard down," Damien said, his voice low and sharp. "And in return, I'll help you reclaim what's yours."

Adrian's smile returned, slow and satisfied. "Now that's the Damien Blackwood I remember."

He extended a hand.

Damien hesitated for only a second before shaking it.

Elena watched them, unease curling in her stomach.

They had just made a deal with the devil.

And there was no turning back now.

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