Chapter 14: The Trail of Shadows

The tension in the air was thick, suffocating. Elena could feel it pressing against her skin as she stood in the middle of the ransacked house. Every overturned chair, every scattered paper, every dark stain on the floor told a story—one of desperation, fear, and violence.

Victor Hale had been here. And now, he was gone.

Damien stood beside her, his expression unreadable, but Elena could see the fury simmering beneath the surface. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight. He didn't need to say it aloud—she already knew what he was thinking.

We were too late.

Adrian crouched by the bloodstain, his fingers grazing the darkened floorboards. His usual smirk had vanished, replaced by something far more dangerous.

"This isn't good," he muttered.

Elena exhaled sharply. "No kidding."

Damien turned toward Adrian, his voice cold. "Do you think he's still alive?"

Adrian tilted his head, considering. "Richard doesn't kill people right away—not when they have something he wants. If Victor's still breathing, it's because Richard hasn't gotten what he needs from him yet."

Elena felt her stomach twist. "And what happens when he does?"

Adrian met her gaze, his expression grim. "Then we find a body."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Damien's voice was like steel. "Then we need to move. Now."

Elena nodded, pushing aside her fear. They didn't have time to waste.

Adrian straightened, dusting off his hands. "We need to figure out where Richard would take him. He wouldn't risk transporting him far, not yet. He'll want him close—someplace secure but isolated."

Damien's eyes darkened. "Richard owns several properties here. I'll have my team start checking them."

Adrian smirked. "Ah, the perks of being a billionaire."

Damien ignored him, already dialing a number.

Elena turned to Adrian. "Do you have any ideas?"

Adrian crossed his arms, thinking. "If Richard wanted to keep him out of sight but still close enough to interrogate… there's an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Used to belong to a shipping company Richard had ties to. It's been empty for years, but it's the perfect place for—"

A loud crack cut through the air.

Glass shattered.

Elena barely had time to react before Damien grabbed her, shoving her to the ground as another bullet tore through the wall.

They were under attack.

Ambush

Elena's heart pounded as chaos erupted around her. The dimly lit house became a battlefield in seconds. More gunshots rang out, splintering wood and shattering glass.

Damien pulled her behind an overturned couch, shielding her body with his. "Stay down!"

Adrian, for once, wasn't smirking. He had drawn a gun from beneath his jacket, his expression deadly serious. "Looks like Richard knew we'd come looking."

Elena's pulse was racing. "We have to get out of here!"

Damien's eyes darted toward the shattered window. "Adrian, how many?"

Adrian peeked over the couch before ducking back down as another round of bullets sprayed the room. "At least five outside. Maybe more."

Damien's jaw clenched. "We can't stay here."

Adrian smirked, despite the situation. "Then let's make our move."

Before Elena could protest, Adrian was already in motion. He moved like a shadow, swift and precise. He fired twice, taking down one of the attackers before rolling behind a table for cover.

Damien grabbed Elena's wrist. "Follow my lead."

Her breath caught, but she nodded.

They moved quickly, ducking low as they made their way toward the back door. But just as Damien reached for the handle, the door was kicked open from the outside.

A man stood there, gun raised.

Elena barely had time to register what was happening before a deafening shot echoed through the air.

The man crumpled.

Adrian stood behind him, lowering his smoking gun. "You're welcome."

Damien didn't waste time with a response. He pulled Elena outside, Adrian close behind.

They sprinted toward the SUV, bullets whizzing past them. The night air was thick with smoke and tension.

Damien yanked open the car door, shoving Elena inside. "Drive!"

The driver—one of Damien's security team—didn't hesitate. The SUV roared to life, tires screeching as they sped away from the house.

Elena's heart was still hammering in her chest. She turned to Damien. "What the hell was that?!"

Damien's expression was dark. "A warning."

Adrian let out a low whistle. "More like an assassination attempt."

Elena swallowed hard. "Richard knows we're here."

Damien exhaled sharply. "Then we don't have much time."

A Desperate Plan

They drove in silence for a while, putting as much distance between them and the house as possible.

Elena's mind was racing.

They needed to find Victor before it was too late.

"Where do we go now?" she asked.

Damien's gaze was focused. "The warehouse Adrian mentioned. If Victor's still in the city, that's our best chance."

Adrian grinned. "And here I thought you didn't trust me."

Damien shot him a look. "I don't. But right now, we don't have a better lead."

Adrian chuckled. "Fair enough."

Elena turned to Damien. "What if he's not there?"

Damien's jaw tightened. "Then we keep looking."

She could see the tension in his posture, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

This wasn't just business.

This was personal.

And she understood that feeling all too well.

Adrian leaned back, watching them with amusement. "You two make a good team, you know."

Elena frowned. "Now's not the time, Adrian."

He smirked. "Just an observation."

Damien ignored him, his focus on the road ahead.

The warehouse was their last shot.

If Victor wasn't there…

Then they were already too late.

The Warehouse

The SUV rolled to a stop a few blocks away from the abandoned warehouse. The building loomed in the darkness, its once-white walls now covered in grime and graffiti.

Elena's stomach churned.

Damien turned to his team. "Stay sharp. We go in quiet."

Adrian grinned, checking his gun. "Stealth isn't really my style, but I'll try."

They moved quickly, slipping through the shadows.

Damien signaled for them to split up—he and Elena would take the front, Adrian would cover the side.

Elena's heart pounded as they crept toward the entrance.

The door was slightly ajar.

Someone was inside.

Damien glanced at her, silently asking if she was ready.

She nodded.

They stepped inside.

The warehouse was dark, the air thick with dust. Wooden crates were stacked against the walls, casting eerie shadows.

And then—

A muffled groan.

Elena's breath caught.

They moved toward the sound, weapons drawn.

In the far corner, tied to a chair, was Victor Hale.

Bloodied. Bruised. Barely conscious.

But alive.

Elena exhaled in relief. "We found him."

But the moment was short-lived.

Because just as they reached him, the doors slammed shut behind them.

And a familiar voice echoed through the darkness.

"Well, well. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Elena froze.

Richard Lawson stepped into the dim light, flanked by armed men.

His smile was cold.

"You've been a thorn in my side for far too long," he said, his gaze locking onto Damien's.

Damien's grip on his gun tightened. "Let Victor go."

Richard chuckled. "I don't think so."

Elena's heart pounded.

They were trapped.

And this time, there was no easy way out.

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