Washington, D.C. – 2:37 A.M.The room was silent except for the rhythmic ticking of an antique clock mounted on the far wall. It was an elegant space, fitted with mahogany furniture, dim lighting, and a massive glass window that overlooked the darkened city skyline. From this height, Washington, D.C., looked peaceful—sleeping.But peace was an illusion.At the head of the polished conference table sat Viktor Raines, his presence commanding despite the quiet. The billionaire financier wore a custom-tailored suit, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, his sharp blue eyes unreadable. He had built his empire on secrecy and control, and tonight was no different.Six figures sat across from him, their identities obscured by shadow. Politicians, intelligence officers, corporate tycoons—powerful individuals who had long since stepped beyond the reach of the law. They were The Dominion, a clandestine network that had puppeteered global affairs for decades.Raines tapped his fingers against th

An Abandoned Warehouse – Brooklyn – 5:07 A.M.Ethan didn’t move. The weight of Damien Voss’s gun pressing against the back of his skull was enough to remind him exactly who he was dealing with.Voss was a hunter. A relentless tracker with an almost inhuman ability to predict his target’s every move. Ethan had gone up against him once before, and it had cost him three broken ribs and a bullet lodged an inch from his spine. He wasn’t looking for a repeat.Slowly, Ethan raised his hands. “You move quietly for an old man.”Voss chuckled, his voice dark with amusement. “And you’re still too damn predictable.”Ethan calculated. The distance between them—three feet. Voss’s finger on the trigger—relaxed, but ready. If he moved fast enough, he could—No.Ethan forced himself to stay still. Voss wasn’t alone. He could feel it. The shadows in the warehouse weren’t just shadows—they were men, armed and waiting.“You’ve got the entire Bureau breathing down your neck,” Voss said, stepping closer. “

Soho, Manhattan – Cipher’s Apartment – 9:32 A.M.The screen glowed with decrypted data, the pieces of a deadly puzzle finally coming together.Leo “Cipher” Marquez cracked his knuckles, his bloodshot eyes scanning the code at lightning speed. **Lines of financial transactions, offshore accounts, military-grade equipment orders—**all leading to one thing.Operation Solstice.Ethan leaned over his shoulder. “Tell me what I’m looking at.”Leo exhaled sharply. “This isn’t just some run-of-the-mill arms deal. It’s an attack. A large-scale, coordinated strike.”Evelyn narrowed her eyes. “Where?”Leo clicked a few keys, pulling up a heatmap of international wire transfers. The majority of the funds were funneled into three locations—New York, London, and Dubai.Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Three targets. Three days.”Leo muttered, “These aren’t just random targets. The money trails lead to energy grids, financial hubs, and government communication relays. If The Dominion pulls this off, they’ll s

Monte Carlo – 2:05 A.M.Ethan stared at the dead phone in his hand, his pulse a steady drumbeat of adrenaline.Adrian Locke wasn’t just watching him.He was waiting.A knock at the door snapped Ethan’s attention back to the room. Instinct kicked in—he drew his gun, stepping to the side before opening it.Leo stood in the doorway, breathing hard, sweat on his brow. “We need to go. Now.”Ethan’s grip on the gun tightened. “Talk.”Leo pushed past him, locking the door behind him. “Locke isn’t alone. He’s got a kill team in Monaco.”Ethan’s jaw clenched. So that’s why he called.It wasn’t just a threat.It was a warning.Mirage Casino – Underground Parking Lot – 2:30 A.M.Ethan and Leo moved fast and silent, their weapons tucked beneath their jackets.Sebastian had arranged an extraction, but it wasn’t foolproof. Nothing was when Adrian Locke was involved.Leo tapped his earpiece. “Evelyn, we’re in position.”Static. Then—her voice, sharp with tension.“You’ve got company.”Ethan’s gut ti

Private Jet – En Route to Mexico City – 9:30 A.M.The jet cut through the sky like a silent predator. Ethan sat across from Leo, his fingers drumming against the polished wood of the table. The weight of the mission pressed down on him like an iron vice.Sofia Delgado.Vasquez’s lover, lieutenant, and possible traitor.It was a dangerous gamble, banking on her desire to see Vasquez dead. But Viktor had assured them that Sofia hated Vasquez more than anyone.Ethan didn’t trust Viktor. Not for a second.But right now, he didn’t have a choice.Leo exhaled and leaned back in his seat. “So, what’s the play? We walk into this club and charm the most dangerous woman in Mexico into betraying her boss?”Ethan shot him a look. “Something like that.”Leo scoffed. “Great. Because that’s never gone wrong before.”Viktor sat at the bar, swirling the last of his whiskey. “Sofia’s smart, careful. But she’s also desperate. Vasquez killed her brother last year—claimed he was a traitor. She’s been looki