2025-03-25 05:48:51Queens Safehouse – 10:45 A.M.
Ethan stood by the window, staring at the burned-out skyline in the distance. His hands were clenched into fists.
Sebastian Vance.
The name alone left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Evelyn sat on the couch, arms crossed. “You sure about this?”
“No,” Ethan admitted. “But we don’t have a choice.”
Sebastian was more than just an insider—he was a former Dominion strategist, someone who had walked away but never really left. If anyone knew what Solstice truly meant, it was him.
Leo, still looking rattled from the chase, sighed. “If we’re doing this, I’ll set up a secure line.”
“No.” Ethan turned, grabbing his coat. “I’ll talk to him in person.”
Evelyn’s brow furrowed. “Where?”
Ethan exhaled sharply.
“Monte Carlo.”
Monte Carlo, Monaco – The Mirage Casino – 11:58 P.M.
The Mirage was Sebastian Vance’s empire—a high-stakes casino, built on secrets, power, and money.
Ethan walked in through the main entrance, past crystal chandeliers and high rollers in tuxedos. Every step felt heavier.
Memories hit him like a sucker punch.
He and Sebastian had once fought side by side, saving each other’s lives more times than he could count.
But now?
They were just two men on opposite sides of the same war.
A hostess approached. “Mr. Vance is expecting you.”
Of course he was.
The Private Suite – 12:07 A.M.
Sebastian Vance lounged in a plush leather chair, whiskey in hand.
He hadn’t changed much—dark hair slicked back, sharp blue eyes, a jawline cut from glass. But there was something colder about him now.
“You look good, Cross,” Sebastian said, swirling his drink. “Considering you’re a dead man walking.”
Ethan sat across from him. “Cut the crap. You know why I’m here.”
Sebastian smirked. “Solstice.”
Ethan leaned forward. “Tell me what you know.”
Sebastian chuckled. “You come into my casino, sit in my chair, and demand answers?”
Ethan’s jaw clenched. “People are going to die, Vance. Millions.”
Sebastian exhaled, then set down his glass. “And what makes you think I care?”
Ethan stared at him. “Because once upon a time, you did.”
Silence.
Sebastian tapped a finger against the table, considering.
Then—he slid a USB drive across to Ethan.
“This has everything I know.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Just like that?”
Sebastian’s smirk returned. “Not quite.”
He leaned in. “I want something in return.”
Ethan’s stomach twisted. He knew this wouldn’t be free.
Sebastian’s voice dropped lower.
“I want you to kill Adrian Locke.”
Ethan’s pulse spiked. “You want me to take out The Dominion’s top enforcer?”
Sebastian’s smirk faded.
“No, Cross. I want you to burn The Dominion to the ground.”
Ethan exhaled.
A devil’s bargain.
And he had no choice but to take it.
The Mirage Casino – Monte Carlo – 12:15 A.M.The air in the private suite thickened with tension. Ethan’s fingers hovered over the USB drive. He knew what it meant—the weight of Sebastian’s demand.
Burn The Dominion.
Not just take down Adrian Locke. Destroy the entire network.
Ethan’s voice was tight. “This isn’t just about Locke, is it?”
Sebastian smirked, but there was no amusement in his eyes. “No.” He leaned back, rolling his glass between his fingers. “This is about revenge.”
Ethan stayed silent. He knew better than to push.
Sebastian had always been controlled, calculating. But something had shifted in him. His vendetta against The Dominion was personal.
Finally, Ethan spoke. “I need more than names.”
Sebastian exhaled, then slid a second USB drive across the table.
“This has operational blueprints, financial records, safehouse locations. Everything.”
Ethan picked it up, feeling the weight of his next move settle in his chest.
Sebastian stood. “Now that I’ve given you the keys to the kingdom, tell me—do we have a deal?”
Ethan’s jaw clenched. He didn’t trust Sebastian, but he needed him.
Finally, he extended a hand.
Sebastian took it, his grip firm.
A blood oath was made.
Monte Carlo Streets – 1:30 A.M.
Ethan walked out of The Mirage, stepping into the cool Monaco night air. He pulled out his phone.
Evelyn picked up on the first ring.
“You’re alive. I’m shocked.”
Ethan ignored the jab. “We have a problem.”
Evelyn sighed. “Of course we do. What now?”
He stared at the USB drive in his hand.
“Sebastian gave me everything. But there’s a catch.”
Evelyn groaned. “There’s always a catch.”
“He wants Adrian Locke dead.”
Silence.
Then, “That’s suicide, Ethan.”
Ethan’s grip tightened around the USB. “Then we better make sure we do it right.”
The Hitlist – 2:00 A.M.
Back in his hotel room, Ethan plugged in the USB. The screen lit up with classified intelligence.
The Dominion was bigger than he thought.
• International arms deals
• Cyberwarfare units
• Political assassinations
• Bribery reaching the highest levels
And at the center of it all? Adrian Locke.
Ethan’s stomach twisted as he scanned the files. Locke wasn’t just an enforcer—he was the architect of Solstice.
Killing him wasn’t an option anymore.
It was a necessity.
Then—
A new notification appeared on the screen.
UNKNOWN CALLER.
Ethan’s gut screamed trap—but he answered anyway.
A familiar voice crackled through the line.
“Ethan Cross,” Adrian Locke drawled. “I hear you’ve been making deals with ghosts.”
Ethan’s pulse spiked. “Locke.”
Adrian chuckled. “I warned you, Cross. You should’ve stayed dead.”
Ethan’s eyes darkened. “And you should’ve shot me when you had the chance.”
A low hum. Then—
“See you soon.”
The line went dead.
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Chapter 36– Shadows and Echoes
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the city of Istanbul. The team had retreated to their safe house, a modest apartment nestled within the labyrinthine streets of Beyoğlu. The air was thick with tension, each member processing the night’s events in their own way. Ethan sat by the window, the distant hum of the city serving as a backdrop to his tumultuous thoughts. He replayed the encounter with Victor Valente, the elusive adversary who had once again slipped through their grasp. The weight of responsibility bore heavily on his shoulders. Clara entered the room, her face illuminated by the glow of her tablet. “I’ve decrypted more of the data we retrieved,” she began, her voice tinged with urgency. “Victor’s network is more extensive than we anticipated. He has operatives embedded in key positions across Europe and the Middle East.” Jason, leaning against the doorway, frowned. “That explains his ability to stay ahead. He has eyes and ears everywhere.” Leo, e
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“The media frenzy is unprecedented. Every major network is covering it. Victor’s assets are being frozen, and international warrants are being issued.” “But no sightings of the man himself.” “He’s not the type to run. He’ll retaliate.” “Then we need to be ready.” “You’ve just backed a lion into a corner. Expect claws.” “We need to anticipate his move. Clara, any chatter on the dark web or encrypted channels?” “It’s eerily silent. Either he’s gone completely dark, or he’s planning something big.” “This warehouse in the Karaköy district. It’s listed as a decommissioned shipping facility, but satellite images show recent activity. Trucks coming and going at odd hours.” “You think it’s one of Victor’s operations?” “Only one way to find out.” “We move at dusk. Minimal footprint. In and out.” “Two guards at the main entrance, another pair patrolling the perimeter. Internal cameras show a skeleton crew inside.” “Non-lethal. We need intel more than bodies.” “Always takes the fun
Chapter 34 – Shadows Within Shadows
The remnants of the explosion still echoed in Ethan’s ears as he stood amidst the smoldering wreckage of the Romanian forest. The night was thick with the acrid scent of burnt earth and metal. The crater where Victor’s compound once stood was a testament to the man’s ruthlessness and his willingness to erase any trace of his operations.Ethan wiped the blood from his brow, his mind racing. Victor had anticipated their move, setting a trap that nearly cost them their lives. This wasn’t just a game of cat and mouse anymore; it was a full-blown war.Clara approached, her face illuminated by the glow of the burning debris. “We need to get out of here. If Victor’s watching, he’ll know we survived.”Ethan nodded. “You’re right. But we can’t run blind. We need intel, and fast.”Leo, ever the pragmatist, interjected, “We have one lead left—Anatoly. If anyone knows Victor’s next move, it’s him.”Jason, still catching his breath, added, “Assuming he’s still alive. Victor might have anticipated
Chapter 33 – The First Strike
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Chapter 32 – Into the Lion’s Den
The wind howled as the black SUV cruised through the dim streets of Montclair Heights, its tinted windows swallowing the glint of streetlights. Inside, the tension was palpable. Ethan sat in the front seat, jaw clenched, scanning the surroundings as the vehicle approached the outskirts of a gated estate—an abandoned manor that once belonged to one of Victor Valente’s most trusted lieutenants: Anatoly Rurik.Anatoly had vanished after Victor’s supposed “death” years ago. Rumors claimed he had gone underground, living off the grid, growing bitter and paranoid. But Ethan had a lead—a trail of old offshore transfers and a single burner number that pinged in this area only once. It wasn’t concrete, but it was the best shot they had. If Anatoly was still alive, he was the only person who might know where Victor was hiding.The car rolled to a stop a block away. Ethan turned to Clara, Leo, and Jason in the back.“We go in quiet. This guy doesn’t trust anyone, especially not us. He sees us as
Chapter 31 – The Echoes of Power
Ethan leaned against the cold concrete wall of their hideout, staring at the documents Clara had laid out before him. His thoughts were racing, but beneath the surface, there was an underlying sense of unease. The name that had appeared on the financial ledger had rattled him in ways he hadn’t expected. It was an old, familiar name, one that he thought was long gone from the criminal landscape.But there it was, unmistakably clear, staring back at him from the pages: Victor Valente. The name carried a weight that sank deep into his gut. Ethan had crossed paths with Victor years ago. Back then, Victor was the ghost in the underworld, a figure who operated from the shadows, pulling strings from behind the scenes. But when he had disappeared, the world seemed to exhale. No one had dared to speak his name for years, and for a reason—Victor was chaos personified. His name alone could send entire organizations into disarray.And now, his name was tied to everything that had been happening l
