Chapter 31: A War in the Shadows

The weight of my gun felt familiar, like an old friend I hadn't seen in years.

I loaded a fresh magazine, chambered a round, and set it on the table beside me.

Ghost watched, arms crossed. "So, you gonna tell me who Raze is, or do I have to keep guessing?"

I leaned back, running a hand through my hair.

"Raze isn't just a name," I said. "It's a warning."

Ghost didn't flinch, but I could tell he was processing. He was good at reading between the lines.

"You worked with him before."

I nodded. "A long time ago. Back when I was… different."

Ghost didn't press. He knew better than to dig into a past I wasn't ready to share.

Instead, he pulled up another screen.

"I did some digging," he said. "Raze dropped off the grid years ago. No digital footprint, no sightings, no contracts. It's like he disappeared."

I let out a slow breath. "That's because when Raze disappears, it means he's planning something."

Ghost's expression darkened. "And now he's back."

I grabbed my gun and stood up. "Which means it's only a matter of time before he makes his next move."

A Message from the Devil

The first shot came through the window.

Ghost and I dropped instantly, years of training kicking in. The glass shattered, spraying across the room.

Silencer. High-caliber round.

Whoever was out there wasn't just trying to scare us.

They were trying to kill us.

Ghost rolled behind the couch, already pulling his pistol. I stayed low, scanning the darkness outside.

I caught the glint of a scope just before the second shot fired.

I moved.

The bullet punched through the wall behind me.

"Sniper," I muttered.

Ghost was already working, his laptop pulling up the street cams.

"I got him. Rooftop, southwest corner. About 200 meters out."

I took a breath. That was a long shot, but not impossible.

Ghost slid his rifle across the floor to me. "Think you can make it?"

I gave him a look.

He smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Dumb question."

I crawled to the window, exhaled slowly, and lined up my shot.

The sniper never saw it coming.

One squeeze of the trigger, and his body crumpled.

Ghost checked the cams. "Clear."

I stood, brushing glass off my jacket.

"Looks like Raze knows we're onto him."

Ghost frowned. "Or he wanted us to know."

That sat heavy in my gut. Raze didn't make mistakes. If he sent someone after me, it wasn't to take me out.

It was to send a message.

And sure enough, Ghost's laptop pinged with an incoming email.

I leaned over his shoulder and read the message.

Four words.

No more running, Damien.

My fists clenched.

Ghost looked at me. "We need to move."

I shook my head. "No. We need to end this."

I grabbed my jacket and walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Ghost called.

I turned back, eyes cold.

"To find Raze."