Chapter 36: The Price of Secrets

Liam kept the gun steady, his finger hovering over the trigger. The streetlights cast sharp shadows over Catherine's face, highlighting the tension in her steel-gray eyes.

"I don't like repeating myself," Liam said, his voice dangerously calm. "Talk."

Catherine, ever composed, tilted her head slightly. "Talk about what, exactly?"

Nathan stepped forward, gun aimed at the remaining attackers. "Don't play games, Catherine. You came for the ledger. Why? Who sent you?"

A slow smirk crept across her lips. "You think a few names scribbled on pages will shake the world?"

Liam's grip tightened. "You wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

Catherine's silence was answer enough.

Seraphina, still holding her blade, took a slow step forward. "You're stalling. That means backup is coming."

Liam knew she was right. They had minutes—maybe less.

Catherine sighed. "Fine. You want answers? Here's one—you're out of your depth, Liam. This isn't just about old family grudges."

Liam's jaw clenched. "Then tell me what it is about."

She exhaled, as if considering something. "The ledger holds more than names. It's a map."

Liam's stomach twisted.

"A map to what?" Seraphina asked.

Catherine's smirk returned. "Something people would kill for. Something they already have."

Nathan frowned. "Then why the hell do they want this book?"

Catherine's gaze locked onto Liam. "Because the ledger isn't the real prize." She paused. "You are."

The air between them grew heavy.

Liam's pulse quickened. "What are you talking about?"

Catherine's expression darkened. "Did you really think your past was buried, Liam? That no one was watching?"

Liam's mind raced. His parents' deaths, the years in hiding, the ledger resurfacing—it all felt like pieces of a puzzle he hadn't realized he was part of.

But Catherine wasn't done.

"Your father didn't just keep secrets, Liam. He was one."

Silence.

Nathan and Seraphina exchanged a look, but Liam's world had already tilted.

His father was already dead. What could he have possibly been hiding?

And why did Liam matter so much?

Catherine took a slow step forward. "Put the gun down, Liam. You and I both know this won't end here."

Liam's hand trembled for the first time.

But before he could respond—

A single shot rang out.

---

Liam barely had time to react. Catherine jerked backward, blood blooming across her shoulder as she staggered.

The sniper was still out there.

"MOVE!" Nathan shouted, shoving Liam aside just as another bullet shattered the pavement where he had been standing.

Seraphina grabbed Catherine, dragging her behind a parked car. "We need to get out of here!"

Liam's heart pounded. They had been standing still for too long. Someone wanted them dead.

And they were done waiting.

Nathan fired blindly toward the rooftops, forcing the shooter to relocate. "We can't fight an enemy we can't see!"

Liam made a split-second decision. "Safe house. Now."

Catherine, clutching her bleeding shoulder, glared at him. "You're taking me with you?"

Liam didn't hesitate. "You want to live, don't you?"

She let out a strained chuckle. "Guess I don't have a choice."

They sprinted through the alley, keeping low as bullets rained down behind them.

The hunt had just begun.

---

By the time they reached the safe house, Catherine was pale, her blood staining her jacket.

Nathan shut the door behind them, bolting it. "We need to get that bullet out."

Seraphina pulled out a first-aid kit. "I'll do it."

Liam crossed his arms. "Start talking, Catherine. You said the ledger is a map. A map to what?"

Catherine gritted her teeth as Seraphina pressed gauze against her wound. "To something that can destroy everything."

Liam's patience snapped. "Enough riddles! What did my father hide?"

She sighed. "A list. Not just of names—but of locations, bank accounts, and hidden assets of the most dangerous organization in the world."

Nathan's face darkened. "You mean—"

"Yes." Catherine winced as Seraphina stitched her wound. "The Syndicate."

Liam felt a chill run down his spine.

His father… had been involved with them?

Before he could ask more, Seraphina tensed. "Someone's here."

Liam grabbed his gun.

The fight wasn't over yet.

---