Novels by Masira Salama

At the Federal Financial Crimes Unit headquarters. Damien sat on an unmarked sedan, his hands resting loosely on his lap. Marcus Vaughn followed close behind in a black Mercedes, maintaining a distance of three car lengths.The car descended into the shadows of an underground garage. Pierce got out and opened the door for Damien."This way, Mr. Vaughn," the agent directed."William," Damien said, his voice low but firm.Pierce either failed to hear him or chose to ignore the correction entirely. He turned and started walking away."I appreciate you allowing us to observe these proceedings, Agent Pierce," Marcus said, as he walked towards them. "As the legal representative for the family, my primary concern is that we strictly adhere to every legal protocol.""Of course, Mr. Vaughn. We pride ourselves on running a transparent operation here," Pierce replied.In the interrogation room. A heavy metal table was bolted directly into the floor, flanked by chairs. A wide mirror dominated one

The morning light filtered through the kitchen window. Sophia was already awake when Damien came upstairs, sitting motionless on the table.A cup of coffee that had gone cold sat between her hands, while her clothes remained rumpled and her hair uncombed."I am going out," Damien said, reaching into the fruit bowl to grab an apple. "I need to look for work."Sophia did not look up from the table. "Okay.""Sophia," he started, stepping toward her."I cannot do this right now." She finally met his eyes. "My mother is convinced you are a criminal. Tyler is talking about calling the police. Even Uncle Marcus is asking questions that I do not have the answers to. The truth is that I do not know what to believe anymore."Damien set the apple back down on the wooden surface. "Do you want me to leave the house?""I do not know what I want." She turned her head away, staring back into her cold coffee. "Just go. Do whatever it is you are doing. I need time to think."He left without another wor

The basement was quiet except for the faint hum of the water heater in the corner. Damien sat on the edge of his cot, the thin mattress sagging under his weight, as he stared at the concrete wall.His burner phone vibrated at exactly midnight.Damien answered without checking the caller ID because there was only one person who had this number. "Victor.""Master Damien. I hope I'm not disturbing you.""You're not. I'm awake.""Of course you are. I have updates on all fronts. Should I proceed?"Damien stood and crossed to the small window near the ceiling. "Go ahead.""First, the Blackwell situation. Harrison Blackwell is now desperate. The overseas deal collapse has put Blackwell Industries on the brink of bankruptcy. They need eight hundred million in emergency capital within seventy-two hours or they will lose everything.""Perfect. What's the second update?""We've confirmed Raymond's spy. Her name is Elena Frost. Former MI6 operative, specializes in surveillance and wet work. She's

The Vaughn mansion looked the same as it had that morning, but something in the air had changed. Damien felt it the moment he walked through the side door, the elegant gift box tucked under his arm.He found them in the living room, gathered around the coffee table like generals planning a last stand. Margaret sat ramrod straight on the sofa, her hands clasped so tight her knuckles had gone white. Gerald slumped in the armchair, looking ten years older than he had yesterday. Tyler paced near the window, his phone pressed to his ear, his voice low and urgent.And there was someone new.The man sitting across from Margaret. The man was in his late fifties.Sophia sat on the edge of the sofa, her posture tense. She looked up when Damien entered."Where have you been?" Margaret's voice cut through the room like a blade."Out," Damien said simply.Tyler ended his call and turned, his expression twisting into contempt. "Well, well. The family dog is back. Where have you been, you useless pa

Damien left the Vaughn mansion before sunrise, when the house was still quiet and the servants hadn't arrived yet. He moved through the kitchen like a shadow, grabbing a piece of bread that would serve as breakfast, and slipped out the side door before anyone could see him go.He was halfway down the driveway when he heard footsteps behind him."Damien, wait."Sophia stood on the porch, wrapped in a silk robe, her hair loose around her shoulders. She looked like she hadn't slept much.He stopped, turned to face her. "You're up early.""I couldn't sleep." She came down the steps, hugging herself against the cold. "About last night. Tyler shouldn't have hit you doing the meeting. That was wrong.""It's fine.""It's not fine." Her voice cracked slightly. "None of this is fine, and I know that. I just..." She trailed off, the words stuck somewhere between her thoughts and her mouth. "Where are you going?""To look for work. Part-time, anything I can find."Sophia reached into her robe poc

The bucket of filthy mop water hit the floor with a splash that sent dirty droplets across Damien William's already soaked pants. He didn't flinch. Seven years of this had taught him that reactions would make things worse."Clean it again," Margaret Vaughn said. She stood above him, arms crossed, her designer heels clicking as she circled the puddle like a predator. "A useless fool like you can't do anything right the first time."Damien stayed on his knees, his hands raw from scrubbing. The sponge in his grip had worn thin weeks ago, but asking for a new one would earn him another lecture about being ungrateful. He dipped it into the bucket and started over again."Oops."Tyler Vaughn's Italian leather shoe came down hard on Damien's hand, grinding his fingers into the wet floor. Pain shot up his arm, but Damien kept his face blank. He'd learned that too."Didn't see you there, brain-damaged trash," Tyler said, his grin wide and cruel. He was twenty-five, three years younger than Dam