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Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 20
The rain poured heavily over Black City, washing the blood from Mark’s bruised knuckles as he stood on the edge of the pier, the echoes of Edward’s taunts ringing in his head. His face was pale, his heart pounding harder than it ever had before. Felicia was alive—but for how long?Behind him, Grayson staggered to her feet, pressing a makeshift bandage to the bullet wound on her arm. The gunfire had stopped, Edward’s men retreating into the shadows. But the damage was already done. Edward had won this round, and they both knew it.Mark stared down at the phone still clutched in his hand. The screen was black, but the image of Felicia’s terrified face was burned into his mind. Every instinct in him screamed to chase Edward down and tear the truth from him. But there was more to this now—this wasn’t just personal.It was political.Elsewhere — Black City HallSenator Louis Deveraux sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his fingers steepled as he listened to the quiet hum of the rain outs
Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 21
“Get down—now!”The agent’s voice cut through the rain-soaked night as the red laser sight danced across the SUV’s window. Felicia’s instincts screamed at her to move. She dove behind a nearby dumpster just as the crack of a rifle shot echoed through the alley, glass shattering as the bullet ripped through the vehicle’s windshield.The agent drew his weapon, eyes scanning the rooftops. “Stay low!” he barked, voice controlled but tense.Felicia pressed her back against the damp brick wall, her heart hammering in her chest. She wasn’t just scared—she was furious. This wasn’t random. Edward was escalating, and someone powerful was helping him pull the strings.The sniper fired again, narrowly missing as the agent returned fire, forcing the shooter to retreat. Rain mixed with shards of broken glass as the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance.Silence fell.The agent exhaled sharply, keeping his gun raised as he moved back toward Felicia. “It’s clear—for now. But we need to go. Now.”
Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 22
The rain had eased, but the streets of Black City were still slick, reflecting the cold, pale glow of streetlights. Mark stood under the flickering neon sign of a closed pawn shop, his soaked clothes clinging to his skin as he waited. Every muscle in his body was wound tight, but his mind was sharper than it had been in days.Grayson stood a few feet behind him, leaning against the wall, watching the empty street with cautious eyes.“Are you sure about this?” she muttered under her breath.“No,” Mark answered, voice grim. “But if we want to get to the truth, we need him.”A black town car pulled up, tires hissing against the wet pavement. The tinted window rolled down halfway, revealing the sharp, calculating eyes of Julian Cross—the same man who had played him at the pier. But tonight, Mark wasn’t here to be played.Julian’s lips curled into a half-smirk. “Back so soon, Mark? You look like hell.”Mark didn’t flinch. “Let’s cut the theatrics. You owe me answers. You lied about the led
Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 23
The rain had stopped, but the weight pressing on Mark’s chest felt heavier than ever as he paced the dimly lit hideout beneath the Blackwood estate ruins. Julian sat across the room, his phone still in his hand, the threat from Edward lingering like a fog between them.Grayson stood near the window, arms crossed, her gaze hard as she watched Mark battle his emotions.“Think, Mark,” she said finally, breaking the silence. “Edward’s bluffing. He has to be. If he really had Felicia, he’d have made his move already.”Mark’s head snapped up, his eyes wild. “What if he’s waiting for me to break? What if—”Julian interrupted, voice grim. “No. He’s playing you. Trust me, I know how Edward operates. If he had Felicia, we’d have seen proof. Real proof. He’s desperate—stalling.”Mark shook his head, gripping the back of a worn leather chair so tightly his knuckles turned white. “Why would he bluff? What could he possibly gain by dragging this out if he doesn’t have her?”Julian exchanged a glanc
Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 24
The crack of the gunshot echoed through the industrial yard like a thunderclap. Edward stumbled back, clutching his shoulder as blood seeped between his fingers. His smirk twisted into a grimace, eyes narrowing with seething fury.Mark didn’t hesitate. His adrenaline surged as he lunged for cover behind a rusted cargo container, the red laser sights from the rooftop snipers dancing across the fog.Nathan Cross kept his weapon trained on Edward, his voice sharp. “Stand down, Edward! This doesn’t have to end like this.”Edward’s laugh was hollow, tinged with pain as he straightened. “Oh, but it does. And you know it.” He waved his uninjured hand, signaling his men. The snipers shifted positions, taking aim.Mark growled, voice cutting through the tension. “You’re out of your mind, Edward! Felicia isn’t even here! She was never here, was she?!”Edward’s lips curled into a cold, victorious smile despite the blood staining his coat. “You’re catching on. Took you long enough.”Nathan fired
Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 25
The body lay still. Edward Feathering was dead.But Mark felt no victory. No relief.Only the hollow ache in his chest.The words Edward had spat with his dying breath echoed relentlessly in his mind—You’ll never see her again, Mark.It wasn’t over.Nathan Cross stood silently a few feet away, his gun lowered, his expression grim as the rain finally ceased. The mist from the river curled around the industrial yard, thick and heavy, swallowing the world into silence.Grayson approached cautiously, lowering her own weapon but keeping a watchful eye on the rooftops. “We need to go. Now. The longer we stay, the more exposed we are.”Mark remained frozen, his gaze locked on Edward’s lifeless body, his mind racing. Something didn’t feel right.It had been too easy.This wasn’t the end. It couldn’t be.Nathan shifted closer, voice low but urgent. “Mark. He was just a pawn. Killing him didn’t stop anything—it barely delayed it.”Mark’s head snapped toward him, eyes blazing. “Then who’s really
Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 26
The wind howled against the windows of the safe house as Felicia stood near the door, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. The revelation of her true lineage still echoed in her mind, but it didn’t matter—not right now.She needed Mark.Nathan Cross stood near the window, watching the shadows shifting outside with trained focus. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the message. A single line flashed on the screen:“Inbound. 10 minutes. Secure the target.”Felicia noticed the tension in his face. “What is it?”Nathan hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Mark’s on his way. But we have company. Edward’s remaining men—whoever’s left—must have picked up your location. They’re moving in.”Felicia’s heart raced. “Then we have to leave. Now.”Nathan shook his head. “No. If we move now, they’ll catch us in the open. I’ve signaled for backup. Mark is almost here—”“I’m not waiting,” Felicia snapped, her voice firm. “If Mark’s close, I’m meeting him. I’m done being used as leverage.”Before Nathan
Heir Of The Blackwood Legacy Chapter 27
The world seemed to slow in the aftermath of the explosion.Glass crunched beneath Mark’s boots as he shifted, his arms still protectively wrapped around Felicia. Her rapid breathing matched the racing of his own heart, but he kept his focus on the shadows outside the blown-out window.The figure in the gray suit stepped forward through the swirling smoke, the red laser sights of his tactical team sweeping across the room.Nathan pressed himself against the wall, gun raised but not yet firing. Grayson crouched low near the door, her weapon trained on the intruders but her finger not yet on the trigger.It wasn’t a firefight—yet.The man spoke, his voice calm but authoritative, the tone of someone used to giving orders.“Mark Ryder. Felicia Blackwood. You’re both coming with us. Step out quietly, and no one else has to get hurt.”Mark didn’t move. His mind was running through every possible scenario. Surrender meant death. Fighting was a death wish too—outnumbered, outgunned. But there
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Chapter 32
The cold night air clung to Mark’s skin as he stood beneath the flickering streetlamp. The roar of the SUVs’ engines faded behind him as they came to a sudden stop, but his attention was locked on the figure standing calmly in the center of the road.A voice—calm, smooth, and deliberate—cut through the silence.“Mark Ryder. It’s time we talked.”Mark’s muscles tensed, every instinct screaming that this was a trap. He took a slow, cautious step forward, his gun steady in his hand. “Who are you?”The figure shifted slightly, stepping into the pale glow of the streetlamp. The face that emerged from the shadows was lean, sharp-jawed, with salt-and-pepper hair swept neatly back. His tailored black coat and composed demeanor suggested influence—money, power.“I go by many names,” the man said, his expression unreadable. “But for tonight, you can call me Mr. Black.”Mark’s eyes narrowed. “You work for Rook.”A faint smile tugged at the man’s lips. “Rook doesn’t have employees. He has assets.
Chapter 31
The oppressive silence of the abandoned courthouse pressed against Mark’s senses as he stared down Mr. Finch, the man’s smirk a deliberate provocation. Finch sat back in his chair, completely at ease despite the weapons trained on him.Felicia stood next to Mark, her breath steady but her hand clenched tightly around his arm. She could feel the tension radiating off him, the barely restrained fury simmering beneath his calm exterior.Nathan and Grayson flanked the room’s entrance, their weapons raised and ready. Finch’s smugness wasn’t arrogance—it was calculated. He knew something they didn’t.Mark finally broke the silence, his voice sharp. “Where is Rook?”Finch raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of amusement flickering across his face. “You think walking into this courthouse will hand you all the answers? Rook isn’t someone you find, Mr. Ryder. Rook finds you.”Grayson took a step closer, her weapon steady. “You don’t seem too concerned about being found. Is that because you’re
Chapter 30
Grayson knelt beside Caldwell’s lifeless body, her hand pressed against the warm pool of blood spreading beneath him. The faint hum of distant footsteps made her instincts scream to move, but she remained frozen for a moment.Caldwell’s final words echoed in her mind: “They’re everywhere… and they’ve already won.”Her grip tightened on her weapon, her sharp eyes darting toward the corridor. Whoever had fired that shot was long gone. A professional. No mistakes, no witnesses.But the truth hadn’t died with Caldwell. Not yet.She searched his pockets quickly, finding a secure USB drive tucked inside his jacket. She slipped it into her coat, rising just as the sound of approaching guards forced her to retreat into the shadows.Meanwhile – The Underground GarageMark arrived just as Felicia emerged from the service stairwell, her face pale but her steps determined.“Felicia!” he called, his heart racing as he closed the distance between them.She turned, relief flashing in her eyes for ju
Chapter 29
The moment the lights flickered, the tension in the grand hall of the Whitehall Estate spiked like a live wire. Guests exchanged wary glances, but the guards were already mobilizing, their hands on their weapons as the security system powered down.Felicia’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the vault’s bulletproof glass begin to hiss open. Her mind raced. Who else is here for the ledger?Mark’s voice came through the comm link in her ear. “Felicia, don’t move. Grayson and I are on our way to the auction floor.”Felicia’s eyes darted across the room, landing on Caldwell. He hadn’t moved. The president stood near the far wall, his face unreadable as he spoke quietly to one of his aides. The way his lips tightened, the subtle flicker of unease in his eyes—it was clear he hadn’t planned for this interruption either.But Caldwell wasn’t a man easily thrown off balance.Felicia whispered into the comm, “Caldwell looks rattled, but he’s not leaving. Whatever happens here, he wants
Chapter 28
The rain had eased, but tension hung heavier than the storm as the van skidded to a halt under the cover of an abandoned train depot on the outskirts of Black City. Rusted metal beams loomed above them, the scent of damp earth and oil lingering in the air.The escape had bought them minutes, but Mark knew minutes were never enough.Grayson killed the engine, the van settling into a tense silence.Nathan was the first to break it, his voice controlled but tight. “We can’t stay here long. Caldwell will have already flagged the city’s surveillance grid. He’s going to lock down the entire district looking for you both.”Mark was still gripping Felicia’s hand, but his mind was elsewhere—calculating, planning, searching for the angle they hadn’t yet seen. He turned to Nathan, his voice razor-sharp.“We can’t keep running. We need to be two steps ahead of Caldwell. You said the ledger wasn’t just financial records. You said it was a blueprint for corruption in this city. Where’s the real one
Chapter 27
The world seemed to slow in the aftermath of the explosion.Glass crunched beneath Mark’s boots as he shifted, his arms still protectively wrapped around Felicia. Her rapid breathing matched the racing of his own heart, but he kept his focus on the shadows outside the blown-out window.The figure in the gray suit stepped forward through the swirling smoke, the red laser sights of his tactical team sweeping across the room.Nathan pressed himself against the wall, gun raised but not yet firing. Grayson crouched low near the door, her weapon trained on the intruders but her finger not yet on the trigger.It wasn’t a firefight—yet.The man spoke, his voice calm but authoritative, the tone of someone used to giving orders.“Mark Ryder. Felicia Blackwood. You’re both coming with us. Step out quietly, and no one else has to get hurt.”Mark didn’t move. His mind was running through every possible scenario. Surrender meant death. Fighting was a death wish too—outnumbered, outgunned. But there
Chapter 26
The wind howled against the windows of the safe house as Felicia stood near the door, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. The revelation of her true lineage still echoed in her mind, but it didn’t matter—not right now.She needed Mark.Nathan Cross stood near the window, watching the shadows shifting outside with trained focus. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the message. A single line flashed on the screen:“Inbound. 10 minutes. Secure the target.”Felicia noticed the tension in his face. “What is it?”Nathan hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Mark’s on his way. But we have company. Edward’s remaining men—whoever’s left—must have picked up your location. They’re moving in.”Felicia’s heart raced. “Then we have to leave. Now.”Nathan shook his head. “No. If we move now, they’ll catch us in the open. I’ve signaled for backup. Mark is almost here—”“I’m not waiting,” Felicia snapped, her voice firm. “If Mark’s close, I’m meeting him. I’m done being used as leverage.”Before Nathan
Chapter 25
The body lay still. Edward Feathering was dead.But Mark felt no victory. No relief.Only the hollow ache in his chest.The words Edward had spat with his dying breath echoed relentlessly in his mind—You’ll never see her again, Mark.It wasn’t over.Nathan Cross stood silently a few feet away, his gun lowered, his expression grim as the rain finally ceased. The mist from the river curled around the industrial yard, thick and heavy, swallowing the world into silence.Grayson approached cautiously, lowering her own weapon but keeping a watchful eye on the rooftops. “We need to go. Now. The longer we stay, the more exposed we are.”Mark remained frozen, his gaze locked on Edward’s lifeless body, his mind racing. Something didn’t feel right.It had been too easy.This wasn’t the end. It couldn’t be.Nathan shifted closer, voice low but urgent. “Mark. He was just a pawn. Killing him didn’t stop anything—it barely delayed it.”Mark’s head snapped toward him, eyes blazing. “Then who’s really
Chapter 24
The crack of the gunshot echoed through the industrial yard like a thunderclap. Edward stumbled back, clutching his shoulder as blood seeped between his fingers. His smirk twisted into a grimace, eyes narrowing with seething fury.Mark didn’t hesitate. His adrenaline surged as he lunged for cover behind a rusted cargo container, the red laser sights from the rooftop snipers dancing across the fog.Nathan Cross kept his weapon trained on Edward, his voice sharp. “Stand down, Edward! This doesn’t have to end like this.”Edward’s laugh was hollow, tinged with pain as he straightened. “Oh, but it does. And you know it.” He waved his uninjured hand, signaling his men. The snipers shifted positions, taking aim.Mark growled, voice cutting through the tension. “You’re out of your mind, Edward! Felicia isn’t even here! She was never here, was she?!”Edward’s lips curled into a cold, victorious smile despite the blood staining his coat. “You’re catching on. Took you long enough.”Nathan fired
