queenadey

Felix Blackwood is a ruthless CEO known for his cold precision and unshakable control. But beneath his polished exterior lies a dangerous secret—one that powerful enemies would kill to keep buried. When a mysterious leak threatens to expose a corrupt organization tied to his past, Felix is forced into a deadly game of deception, where every move could be his last.

Enter Elena Carter—a journalist with a knack for uncovering hidden truths. When she stumbles upon Felix’s world, she becomes entangled in a web of forbidden attraction, dangerous alliances, and secrets that could destroy them both. As their fates collide, passion ignites, but so do the forces determined to tear them apart.

With danger lurking in every shadow, Felix and Elena must decide: trust each other and fight—or become pawns in a game they can’t escape.

But some truths are better left buried…

the CEO dark secrets

The elevator doors slid shut, sealing Felix and Elena inside. The hum of the machinery echoed in the confined space, but neither spoke. Tension lingered, the weight of Marcus's threats hanging heavily in the air.

Felix's fingers tapped against the metal handrail, his jaw clenched. The man had played his hand too soon. A deal? Protection? Ravensgate's promises were nothing but smoke. Felix had learned long ago that trust was a luxury he couldn't afford.

"Felix," Elena finally broke the silence, her voice soft but steady. "Marcus won't stop now."

"I know." His eyes darkened. "But neither will I."

The elevator came to a halt. As the doors opened, Liam's voice crackled through Felix's earpiece.

"I've got eyes on Marcus. He's making calls already."

Felix exhaled sharply. "Then we hit first."

Back at the safe house, the air buzzed with tension. Maps were spread across the table, dotted with red markings. Felix paced, scanning every possible connection that led back to Ravensgate.

"They're going to cover their tracks," Liam said, slamming a laptop shut. "Accounts will disappear. Witnesses will go silent. We're running out of time."

Felix's mind raced. "Not if we force them into the open. We have what they fear the evidence."

"But without a clear path to expose them," Elena interjected, "we're just giving them more time to retaliate."

Felix's gaze hardened. "Then we take away their time."

He pulled up a digital folder on the screen encrypted files from Silas's personal server. Financial reports, contracts, and hidden offshore accounts. Proof of Ravensgate's operations.

"We leak it," Felix said firmly. "Piece by piece. Every transaction, every name. We force the world to see what they've done."

Liam frowned. "That's a direct declaration of war."

"It already is." Felix's jaw tightened. "The only difference is now they'll know it."

Elena nodded slowly. "Then we control the narrative. No more secrets."

The first leak hit the media like a thunderclap. News outlets flashed with breaking headlines exposés of corrupt dealings, embezzlement, and illegal operations. Ravensgate's name was no longer confined to whispers in the dark. It was now etched in bold letters across the screens of millions.

But Felix knew this wasn't over. It was only a matter of time before the retaliation came.

Elena paced the room, phone in hand. "Victoria Lang has been trying to reach you."

Felix shook his head. "Not yet. The more pressure we apply, the more leverage we have."

A knock at the door silenced them.

Liam's hand hovered near his weapon as Felix moved to the entrance. He cracked it open just enough to see a man in a dark suit. His face was weathered, but his posture spoke of authority.

"Mr. Blackwood?" the man said. "I'm Agent Callahan, FBI."

Felix's body tensed. "What do you want?"

"We're not here to arrest you." Callahan's voice remained even. "We're here to help."

Felix studied him, searching for any sign of deception. "The last time I trusted the system, it failed."

Callahan nodded. "And that's why we're here now. You've got their attention, Mr. Blackwood. But if you want to survive what's coming, you're going to need allies."

Felix held his ground. "And why should I trust you?"

"Because I know what Ravensgate did to your family."

The words struck like a blow. Felix's fists clenched, the ghosts of the past rising unbidden.

"We can't undo what they took from you," Callahan continued, "but we can make sure they never do it again."

Felix didn't respond immediately. Elena's hand slipped into his, grounding him.

"Then let's finish this," Felix said, his voice low. "Together."

The storm was far from over. But for the first time, Felix wasn't facing it alone.

chapter 18: the unseen enemy