New player in the Game

Chapter 39:New Player in the Game

The sun had barely risen over the city, but the skyline was already bathed in shades of gold and orange, signaling the start of a new day. But for Elias Mercer, it was not just any day—it was the calm before the storm.

He sat at the table, staring at the folder Natalie had left him, weighing his options. Beside him, Collins was picking apart the contents, flipping through the documents without much concern. He wasn't quite sure what to make of their new ally yet, but something about her didn't sit right with him.

"Anything useful in here?" Elias asked, breaking the silence.

Collins leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. "Some of it's useful. There's a name in here—Grayson Wells. We've heard of him before. One of Vale's shadow players. The man's got connections all over the city, but he keeps his hands clean."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "You think Wells is the key?"

Collins shrugged. "Maybe. If we can find him, get him talking, we might learn more about where Vale's hiding all his assets."

Elias tapped the edge of the folder, thinking. Grayson Wells was a name that had floated in the background of their investigation for a while now, but it was always just out of reach. If he was in on this, he could be the key to everything. But finding him... that was the challenge.

The door to the office creaked open, and Natalie stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. She moved like she belonged, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, a look of quiet determination on her face.

"You look like you're about to start a war," she said to Elias, her eyes scanning the table. "That's good. You're going to need it."

Elias didn't smile. "You've got information. Spill."

Natalie didn't hesitate. "Grayson Wells isn't a name you'll find easily. He keeps to the shadows—no social media, no phone records, no known associates. But he's in the city. And if you want him, you'll need to go to the underground. The old clubs, the places even Vale doesn't know about."

Collins leaned forward, intrigued. "Sounds like a wild goose chase."

"It's not," she replied. "If you know where to look. The city has a heartbeat. People talk. And Wells—he's got his fingers in everything."

Elias studied her. She wasn't just offering them information; she was giving them a guide. A path to walk down, a way to pull the thread and unravel the rest of Vale's empire.

"Why help us?" he asked, his voice low. "What's in it for you?"

Natalie's lips curled into a thin, knowing smile. "You've been questioning me from the moment I walked in. But you're not asking the right question, Elias. I'm helping you because I want Vale gone. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Collins snorted. "Sounds like we're all in this for the same reason then."

Elias didn't look at him. His focus was entirely on Natalie now. "You could be lying."

"Of course I could," she said, unfazed. "But where would that leave me? You'd be dead, and I'd have to find a new way to survive in this city. You need me, Elias. And whether you trust me or not, you'll need every advantage you can get."

Elias leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. He knew Collins was right—he couldn't afford to waste time doubting everyone. But trust? That was a different matter.

"So, tell me," Elias began, his gaze unwavering. "Where do we find Wells?"

She didn't hesitate. "There's a club—The Black Lotus. It's where the city's elites go to forget who they are. Wells has a stake in it. If anyone knows how to get to him, it's the people who hang out there."

Elias nodded. "We'll go. You stay here."

Natalie shook her head. "I'm not staying behind."

Collins raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're up for it? This isn't your run-of-the-mill bar fight."

Natalie's smile was sharp. "I didn't get where I am by sitting on the sidelines."

Elias didn't argue. He knew better than to question someone who was willing to go all in. But as they left the office, heading into the unknown, a thought gnawed at him. It wasn't about trusting Natalie. It was about whether they were walking into another trap. But there was no time to dwell on that. Every second mattered now. Vale was growing desperate, and they had to strike before he made his next move.

The Black Lotus was a place that oozed power. The kind of place where money didn't just talk—it screamed. It was the heartbeat of the city's underworld, the hidden nexus where deals were made, alliances formed, and enemies turned into allies.

But for Elias, Collins, and Natalie, it was the final step before they could close in on Vale. The stakes had never been higher.

As they approached the club's entrance, the bouncer—big, broad, and obviously not someone you'd want to mess with—gave them a look of quiet judgment before stepping aside.

"Have a good time," he muttered, his voice tinged with indifference.

Inside, the air was thick with smoke and the scent of expensive whiskey. The low hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of glasses, and somewhere in the background, a jazz band played a slow, mournful tune. The club was filled with people trying to forget themselves—too drunk, too high, or too wrapped up in their own lives to notice the danger lurking around them.

"Stick close," Elias murmured to Collins and Natalie, his voice low and firm. "We need information, not a fight."

They nodded, and together, they made their way through the crowd, weaving through the maze of tables and booths. The deeper they went, the more they could feel the weight of the room—like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

And then they saw him.

Grayson Wells wasn't hard to spot. He stood out like a shadow in the night, tall and poised, dressed in a black suit that contrasted sharply with the low lighting. His eyes scanned the room, cold and calculating, as if he knew everyone in it—yet no one knew him.

Elias's heart skipped a beat. They had found him. Now, all that was left was to make sure they didn't lose him before they could get the answers they needed.