Victor_graves

Synopsis

Detective Elias Mercer, known as ‘Mercy’ for his angelic demeanor, hides a mind as sharp as a blade and a heart as cold as the cases he solves. A former journalist framed and cast out, he now walks the thin line between justice and obsession, unraveling the city’s darkest secrets one case at a time.

When Adrian Holt, a man seemingly swallowed by the shadows, vanishes without a trace, Elias is dragged into a mystery far deeper than he anticipated. His only lead? Evelyn Drake—a woman who speaks in riddles and keeps secrets like currency. As Elias peels back the layers of deception, a familiar name resurfaces from his past: Nathaniel Voss, a phantom figure lurking behind countless crimes, always just out of reach.

With each step forward, the case tightens around him, drawing him into a web of corruption, fear, and a truth far more sinister than murder. The deeper Elias digs, the more he realizes—some ghosts aren’t meant to be found, and some truths are buried for a reason.

But Elias Mercer doesn’t believe in walking away.

And this time, the darkness is watching back.

Elias mercer: mercy in the shadows

**Chapter 23: A Dangerous Proposal**

Joseph stared at the paper Elias had placed before him. His fingers twitched, his mind clearly running through every possible outcome.

"You're asking me to betray my own brother," Joseph said finally, his voice hoarse. "You have no idea what Lucian is capable of."

Elias chuckled darkly. "Oh, I have a pretty good idea. The real question is—do you? Because from where I'm sitting, he's already left you to rot."

Joseph clenched his jaw, his gaze darting toward the nearest exit. He was cornered, not by force, but by the sheer weight of his own situation.

Collins leaned in, his voice low. "Look, man. We know you're scared. But your brother? He's untouchable… until he's not. You help us, and we make sure you don't go down with him."

Joseph exhaled shakily, rubbing his face. "And if I say no?"

Elias shrugged. "Then you keep playing poker with money you don't have, waiting for one of your debtors to put a bullet in your skull. Either way, Vale's not coming to save you."

Silence stretched between them. The sounds of the casino seemed distant now, drowned out by the weight of Joseph's choice.

Finally, he nodded. "Alright. But if we're doing this… we have to be smart. Because if Lucian even suspects I turned on him, I'm as good as dead."

Elias smirked. "Then let's make sure he never sees it coming."

A dangerous proposal