Chapter 43: No More Deals

Kross smirked like he owned the room. The bastard probably thought he still had control, that I'd listen, that I cared what he had to say.

I stepped forward, gun aimed at his head.

"Talk fast," I said. "Before I change my mind."

Ghost stood at my flank, gun lowered but ready. He didn't trust Kross any more than I did.

Kross leaned back in his chair, completely at ease. Too at ease.

"You've done well, Damien," he said, lacing his fingers together. "Really put on a show. But let's be honest—you didn't come here to kill me."

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't?"

"No. You came here because you want answers."

I didn't answer, but I felt my jaw tighten.

Kross chuckled. "See? You're predictable. You want to know why I had your father killed. You want to know why I set you up, why I let you live instead of finishing the job. You think this has all been some personal vendetta."

My grip on the trigger twitched. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Kross sighed, standing slowly, hands raised in mock surrender. "Because you were meant to be here, Damien. You were meant to replace me."

Ghost shifted beside me. "Bullshit."

Kross grinned. "You think this empire builds itself? That anyone can just walk in and take over? No, Damien. You were groomed for this from the start. Your father was never supposed to be in charge. You were."

I stared at him. The words shouldn't have meant anything. But something in the way he said them made my stomach churn.

He kept going.

"Your father was weak. He built something he couldn't control, and when he tried to keep you out of it—he had to go. I let you live because I wanted to see if you had what it takes."

A sharp, bitter laugh escaped me. "And you think I'll take your place?"

Kross shrugged. "You're already here, aren't you? Look at yourself. Look at what you've done. You took my operations apart piece by piece. You did what no one else could. That's why I'm making you an offer."

I shook my head. "You're out of your damn mind."

But Kross's smile didn't fade. He stepped closer, voice calm, smooth.

"You want revenge? Fine. But what happens after? Do you really think you'll just walk away? You've seen what power feels like, Damien. You've felt it. Once you cross that line, there's no going back."

I clenched my jaw.

Kross leaned in. "Be smart. Take it. Take all of it. Kill me, and you become nothing. But spare me—and I'll give you the keys to the kingdom."

For a brief second, the room felt suffocating.

The air was thick with gunpowder and smoke, the echoes of gunfire still ringing in my ears.

I had fought my way through hell to get here. I had burned everything he built, cut down his men, destroyed everything he controlled.

And now, he thought I wanted to rule it?

I exhaled slowly.

Then I pulled the trigger.

Bang.

The shot echoed through the room as Kross stumbled back, clutching his chest. His mouth opened in shock, blood spilling from his lips.

I stepped forward, pressing the barrel to his forehead.

"That's the difference between us," I said quietly. "I don't want your kingdom."

Another shot.

Kross slumped to the floor, dead.

Silence.

Ghost let out a slow breath. "Well. That's that."

I looked down at the body, at the man who had destroyed my life, manipulated my past, tried to shape my future.

It was over.

Or so I thought.

The screens in the room flickered to life.

And a voice, distorted, mechanical, filled the air.

"Congratulations, Damien. You've just killed a king. But now—who replaces him?"

The blood on my hands suddenly felt heavier.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

To Be Continued…