Chapter 16: The Storm Before the War

The drive back to their safe house was tense, the weight of their near-death encounter pressing against them like a vice. The night outside was still, but inside the SUV, Elena could feel the storm brewing—one that had nothing to do with the humid Mexican air and everything to do with what had just happened.

Victor Hale, battered and barely conscious, was slumped in the back seat, his breathing uneven. She pressed a cloth against his temple, where blood had dried in thick rivulets, staining his graying hair.

Damien's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. His silence was more terrifying than his anger—because when Damien Steele was quiet, it meant he was thinking. Planning.

Adrian, usually full of sarcastic remarks, sat beside her, his gun still resting in his lap. He hadn't holstered it. That was enough to tell her how serious things had become.

They had Victor. But at what cost?

Richard had let them leave—but not out of kindness.

Elena had seen it in his eyes. He wasn't worried. He wasn't panicking. He was waiting.

And that scared her more than anything.

Finally, Damien broke the silence.

"We need to get Victor medical attention." His voice was tight, controlled. But Elena could hear the frustration beneath it.

Adrian snorted. "You don't say."

Elena shot Adrian a glare before looking at Damien. "I have a contact here—a doctor. She doesn't ask questions."

Damien nodded. "Call her."

Elena quickly dialed the number. It rang twice before a familiar voice answered.

"Elena?"

"It's me," she said quickly. "I need a favor."

A pause. Then, "How bad?"

She glanced at Victor's unconscious form. "Bad."

A sigh. "Send me the location. I'll be there."

Elena hung up and turned to Damien. "She'll meet us."

He didn't acknowledge her right away. He was still gripping the wheel too tightly.

Then, finally, he exhaled. "Good."

But his eyes remained locked on the road.

The Safe House

The safe house was tucked away on the outskirts of Cancún, hidden by thick palm trees and the sound of crashing waves in the distance.

The moment they pulled in, Damien and Adrian jumped out, moving like shadows to secure the perimeter.

Elena helped pull Victor from the car just as headlights flickered down the dirt road.

Dr. Celeste Navarro stepped out of her old sedan, her black hair pulled into a messy bun. She barely glanced at Elena before barking orders.

"Inside. Now."

They hurried inside, laying Victor on the worn-out couch. Celeste crouched beside him, pulling out supplies from her bag.

"Gunshot wound. Broken ribs. Dehydration," she muttered, checking his pulse. "He's lucky to be alive."

Elena hovered nearby, watching as the doctor worked efficiently, stitching and cleaning wounds with practiced ease.

Damien stood by the window, his back rigid, his eyes scanning the darkness outside.

Adrian leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So. What's the plan, fearless leader?"

Damien didn't look away from the window. "We get Victor talking."

Elena frowned. "He's barely conscious."

Damien finally turned, his eyes meeting hers. "Then we wait."

And just like that, the waiting game began.

The Truth Comes Out

Hours passed.

Victor stirred just as the sun began creeping over the horizon.

Elena had dozed off in a chair, but the moment she heard the groggy groan, she was awake.

Damien was already at his side. "Victor."

The older man's eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first. Then, recognition dawned.

"Steele," he rasped.

Damien didn't waste time. "Richard. What does he want?"

Victor coughed, wincing. "Same thing he's always wanted. Control."

Elena leaned forward. "Over what?"

Victor's gaze flickered to her. "Everything."

Damien's jaw tightened. "Be specific."

Victor exhaled. "There's a ledger."

Elena's heart skipped a beat. "A ledger?"

Victor nodded weakly. "It has names. Dates. Transactions." His eyes locked onto Damien. "It's proof. Proof that Richard has been laundering money through offshore accounts. Bribing officials. Moving a lot of dirty money."

Elena's mind was racing. If they got their hands on that ledger—if they could expose it—it would be the end of Richard Lawson.

Damien's expression darkened. "Where is it?"

Victor swallowed hard. "Hidden. But not for long."

Adrian straightened. "Meaning?"

Victor's lips pressed into a thin line. "Richard is already looking for it."

A cold chill ran down Elena's spine.

They weren't just racing against Richard anymore.

They were running out of time.

The Clock is Ticking

Damien didn't hesitate. "Where?"

Victor hesitated.

Damien's voice turned sharp. "Victor."

The older man sighed. "There's a safety deposit box. A bank in Mexico City."

Adrian whistled. "That's not exactly next door."

Damien ignored him. "Who has access?"

Victor closed his eyes briefly. "Me. And one other person."

Elena frowned. "Who?"

Victor exhaled. "My daughter."

Silence.

Elena's stomach dropped.

Damien's expression didn't change. "Where is she?"

Victor's face was tight with pain. "I don't know."

Adrian scoffed. "That's helpful."

Victor's eyes flickered open. "She went into hiding years ago. I made sure of it. But if Richard knows about the ledger—" He broke off, looking at Damien. "He'll come after her."

Damien's jaw clenched.

Elena felt a lump form in her throat.

This wasn't just about taking Richard down anymore.

This was about saving an innocent woman before it was too late.

A Dangerous Gamble

The room was heavy with silence.

Then Damien spoke.

"We find her."

Adrian arched a brow. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? She's been off the grid for years."

Damien turned to Elena. "We start with what we know."

Elena nodded, already pulling out her laptop. "I'll dig into Victor's records. If she's left any trace, I'll find it."

Adrian grinned. "Ah. The old-fashioned detective work."

Elena shot him a look. "If you have a better idea, I'd love to hear it."

Adrian held up his hands. "No, no. By all means, hack away."

Damien ignored their exchange. His eyes were locked on Victor.

"You said she's in hiding. Do you think she'll come out for you?"

Victor's eyes darkened. "She might."

Might.

It wasn't good enough.

Damien exhaled. "Then we'd better make sure she does."

And with that, the hunt began.

The Beginning of the End

Elena worked quickly, sifting through old records, searching for any sign of Victor's daughter.

Adrian made calls, pulling favors.

Damien remained still, his mind working, calculating their next move.

Hours turned into nightfall.

Then—

A hit.

Elena's fingers froze on the keyboard.

She looked up. "I found something."

Damien's eyes locked onto hers. "Where?"

Elena swallowed. "Guatemala."

Adrian let out a low whistle. "That's… inconvenient."

Damien didn't hesitate. "We leave tomorrow."

Elena's pulse quickened.

Because she knew—

This wasn't just another mission.

This was the endgame.

And not all of them would make it out alive.

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