THE STORM BENEATH THE SILENCE

Leon hadn't slept.

The room was dim, his laptop screen glowing with surveillance feeds, maps, and endless notes. He stared blankly, the image of Ayla's last known location frozen before him. Every second she was gone felt like a part of him was unraveling.

"She's not just missing," he said to Nico, who stood by the door, arms folded. "She was taken, and whoever did it… they were good."

Nico nodded slowly. "Too good. It had to be someone with access—someone close. Or someone who knows your enemies better than you do."

Leon slammed his fist against the table. "And that narrows it down to half the damn underworld."

Meanwhile, Viper stood in front of a massive board lined with photographs and strings. He had a list—a long one—of enemies both old and new. He crossed out names one by one, frustration building.

Then he paused.

There was a name on the list that hadn't crossed his mind in years. A former ally turned rival. A man who once tried to steal control from him and vanished after being nearly killed. A man with no allegiance—just revenge in his veins.

"Darius," Viper whispered.

Could he be back?

Back in the darkened room where Ayla was held, she sat in silence, knees pulled to her chest, her wrists raw from the ropes. Her head ached, and the voices outside grew louder. The door creaked open.

The man who entered wore a suit, his eyes cold and calculated.

"You don't know me," he said. "But I know you. And I know what taking you will do to the people who wronged me."

Ayla narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"

He smiled faintly. "Someone your father left for dead."

Then he shut the door, locking her in once more with fear crawling through her skin.

Back at Leon's safehouse, Kalen rushed into the room, eyes wide. "Leon! Someone found footage—a vehicle leaving Viper's estate. It was registered under a false name but traced to one of the abandoned factories outside the city."

Leon stood, fire in his gaze. "We're getting her back."

And this time, he wasn't asking for permission.