the ghost and the gun

Cassia's Return

Cassia moved like a shadow in the halls of Olivia's estate—silent, unreadable, eyes that had once worshipped Damon like he was salvation now watched him like he was damnation.

Olivia noticed the tension instantly.

"You're welcome to stay," she told Cassia flatly. "But don't mistake this place for a second chance."

Cassia smiled, slow and mocking. "I don't need your chances. I had Damon first."

A silence thick enough to choke followed.

Damon's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

And that said everything.

The Queen's Doubt

Later, Olivia sat alone in her office, fingers tracing the ring Damon had given her weeks ago.

It wasn't an engagement ring.

But it had felt like a promise.

Now, it felt like a threat.

Maddie entered quietly, sensing the shift in air.

"She's trying to get inside your head," Maddie said.

Olivia's voice was low. "What if she already is?"

"You don't survive betrayal and bullets to lose him over an old flame."

Olivia met her best friend's eyes. "You don't survive betrayal and bullets without expecting it from everyone."

Cassia and Damon — The Unspoken

Cassia found Damon in the training room, shirtless and sweating, fists pounding a sandbag like it owed him blood.

"You still move like you're fighting ghosts," she said.

"I am."

"You could have had peace with me, back then."

He turned, eyes wild. "Back then, I didn't know who I was."

"You still don't," she whispered. "You only know who Olivia wants you to be."

She stepped closer.

"You think she loves you because of who you are? No. She loves you because she can use you."

Damon didn't flinch.

"She doesn't use me."

"Then why does she sleep with a gun under her pillow?"

Silence.

The New Ally

In a penthouse across the city, Markus lit a cigar and turned to the man beside him.

"Well, Mr. Wolfe," he said, "ready to bury the princess?"

Jace Wolfe smiled.

He was sharp-jawed, eyes cold, hands inked with death. Ex-special ops, turned mercenary, and most importantly—Olivia's ex-fiancé.

"I've been waiting for this," Jace said. "You just point me toward her heart."

"And Damon?"

Jace's smile turned cruel. "Collateral."

The Interrogation

Olivia captured one of Markus's runners. Young, twitchy, mouth sealed tighter than a coffin.

Until Olivia brought out a scalpel.

"I'll ask once," she said sweetly. "What's Markus planning?"

"He has… he has the schematics to the Vespera vaults. And something else—"

"Speak."

"He's meeting with someone named Wolfe. Said they'd 'shatter her world from the inside.'"

Olivia's blood froze.

Jace.

She'd left him at the altar three years ago.

And he'd vowed that if she ever loved again, he'd make her regret it.

Jealousy, Rewritten

That night, Olivia found Damon in the darkened hallway.

"Cassia's still here."

He turned. "She's not why I'm staying."

"Then why haven't you told her to leave?"

"Because I'm trying to figure out who I am without either of you owning the answer."

Her voice broke. "You think I own you?"

"I think… I've never belonged to anyone. And suddenly, two women want to claim pieces of me like I'm something to win."

She walked up to him slowly, placed a hand on his chest.

"I don't want to win you, Damon. I want to trust you."

He pulled her closer.

"Then tell me about Jace."

Her breath hitched.

She didn't answer.

The Shot

A bullet ripped through the window.

Olivia dropped to the floor.

Damon tackled her, shielding her body with his.

Another shot cracked into the wall.

"Sniper!" he growled.

Cassia burst in, gun drawn. "West roof! I'll handle it."

Damon's breath was ragged. "You okay?"

Olivia nodded, but her eyes were locked on the shattered glass.

She knew that bullet wasn't just meant to kill.

It was a warning.

He's here.

Jace has come to finish what he started.