Shadows of the Past

Chapter 14

Orion City – Underground Safehouse

The low hum of neon lights flickered against the damp walls of the safehouse. Shadows stretched long and ominous, cast by the dim glow of outdated bulbs. The place was secure—hidden beneath an abandoned subway station, reinforced with steel walls, and monitored by a network of surveillance drones.

Damien stood at the center of it all, arms crossed, eyes locked onto the digital blueprint of a high-security building displayed on a holographic projector. The glow illuminated his sharp features, but his mind was elsewhere.

Ronan Cade had declared war.

The last battle had been too close. Damien had expected Victor Xander's retaliation, but Ronan's arrival changed everything. A mercenary of his caliber wasn't just a hired gun—he was a war machine. If Victor was pulling in men like him, then the battles ahead were going to be more than just corporate power plays.

This was turning into a war of survival.

A knock on the metal door interrupted his thoughts.

Reed's voice followed. "Boss. Someone's here to see you."

Damien narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

Reed stepped inside first, then turned to motion the guest forward.

The figure that entered the room stopped Damien in his tracks.

She was the last person he expected to see.

A woman stepped into the dim light, her sleek black boots barely making a sound on the concrete floor. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled into a high ponytail, revealing piercing silver-gray eyes that held both familiarity and danger. A black leather jacket clung to her toned frame, and the faintest smirk played on her lips.

Selene Vasquez.

Ex-black ops. Master spy. Ghost of the underworld.

And once—long ago—the only person who ever got close enough to break Damien's heart.

"Hello, Damien." Her voice was smooth, teasing, as if they were old friends meeting for drinks.

Damien's expression didn't change. "What are you doing here?"

Selene tilted her head, her smirk growing. "That's not the warm welcome I was expecting."

Elias let out a low whistle from where he leaned against the wall. "Well, well. Looks like the past has a way of creeping up on you, boss."

Kiera, standing in the corner, raised an eyebrow. Her green eyes flicked between Damien and Selene, interest clear in her gaze.

Selene ignored them, stepping closer to Damien, her gaze sharp. "I heard you were back. Raising hell in Orion. Making enemies."

Damien studied her for a moment, trying to read the real reason behind her sudden reappearance. "Cut to the chase, Selene."

She exhaled, finally dropping the playful act. Her expression hardened. "Victor has put a contract on you. A global one. Every assassin, mercenary, and bounty hunter worth a damn is now looking for you."

Silence settled over the room.

Reed swore under his breath. Elias tensed. Even Kiera's usual calm demeanor darkened.

Damien remained unreadable. He had expected retaliation, but a worldwide bounty? That complicated things.

Selene crossed her arms. "You won't last a week with every killer in the underworld gunning for you."

Damien finally spoke. "And what do you want?"

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I came to offer you a deal."

Reed frowned. "What kind of deal?"

Selene turned to Damien. "I know Victor's next move. And I know where he's keeping The Black Ledger."

That got Damien's full attention.

The Black Ledger was the key to dismantling Victor Xander's empire. A digital archive containing every secret transaction, every bribe, every illegal deal that kept the Xander Conglomerate's power intact. With it, Damien wouldn't just weaken Victor—he could destroy him completely.

Elias folded his arms. "And you just happened to come across this information?"

Selene shrugged. "Let's just say I have my ways."

Damien's eyes narrowed. "And what do you want in return?"

Selene's expression grew serious. "I want in."

Kiera let out a small chuckle. "You want to join us?"

Selene met Damien's gaze. "You need allies. I have resources, contacts, and experience with people like Victor." She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "And let's be honest, Damien—you can't win this war alone."

Damien's fists clenched. He didn't trust easily, and with Selene, things were complicated. She had left him once before, disappearing without a trace when he needed her the most.

And yet…

If she really had access to the Black Ledger, she was more valuable alive and on his side than as an unknown variable.

Reed shifted uncomfortably. "Boss, this could be a trap."

Elias smirked. "Or it could be exactly what we need."

Kiera leaned back, arms crossed. "She's not wrong. You do need allies."

Selene's silver-gray eyes held Damien's, challenging him.

After a long pause, Damien finally spoke.

"You work under my command." His voice was cold, firm. "No secrets. No disappearing acts. If you betray me, I will end you myself."

Selene's smirk returned. "Fair enough."

Damien extended his hand.

Selene clasped it.

And just like that, the game changed.

Orion Just Became More Dangerous.