The storm had eased by the time Adrian Kane stepped out of the elevator into the private parking garage beneath Kane Enterprises headquarters. The underground level was nearly empty, lit by rows of cool fluorescent lights that hummed quietly above the polished concrete floor.A sleek black Bentley waited for him near the far end, its engine already running. The driver, a tall man in a perfectly pressed suit, stepped forward and opened the rear door. "Good evening, Mr. Kane.""Evening, Marcus," Adrian replied, sliding into the plush leather interior.The scent of cedar and leather wrapped around him as the Bentley glided out into the wet streets. The city lights smeared across the windows, neon reflections dancing on the glass. Adrian’s mind wasn’t on the view. It was on the text."Careful, Kane. She’s not your only enemy."No name. No number he recognized. And yet… the tone wasn’t Damien’s. It was sharper. Personal.Marcus glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Straight to the pentho

Adrian’s gaze swept over the wall, Every photo, every document, every red string seemed to point toward him, his businesses, his movements, even mundane details like which cafés he visited on certain days.Some of the images were clearly taken without his knowledge. A few were blurry street shots. Others were crisp enough to have come from security cameras.Vivienne stepped past him, her heels silent on the carpet. "I started putting this together a year before we met," she said, pulling a small folder from a cabinet. "Back when I thought it was just business rivalry. It’s not."Damien crossed his arms. "She’s telling the truth, Kane. I didn’t believe it either, until someone tried to gut one of my companies from the inside."Adrian turned slowly. "And I’m supposed to believe you weren’t behind that?"Damien’s smirk returned faintly. "If I’d done it, you wouldn’t still have the company."Vivienne spread several photographs across the desk. "Look at these names. Two of them were on you

The echo of the gunshot hung in the air, like the city itself was holding its breath, Adrian’s instincts took over. He moved fast, shoving Vivienne and Damien down behind the heavy oak desk before his brain even processed who the bullet was meant for.The faint acrid scent of gunpowder floated in from the street, mixing with the antiseptic tang of office air. Marcus’s voice crackled in his ear. "Target’s on the move, correction, two targets. One’s circling around the alley!"Damien pulled his own piece from under his blazer, the black steel glinting in the soft lamplight. "They’re not amateurs," he said, chambering a round.Vivienne, surprisingly steady, reached under the desk and produced a slim, matte-black pistol from a hidden compartment. She caught Adrian staring. "Don’t look at me like that, Kane," she said coolly. "This is Manhattan. You don’t get to my position without being ready for uninvited guests."Adrian’s mind flicked between two scenarios: The shooters were here for hi

The first shots came like thunder, deafening inside the lobby’s high glass walls. Adrian pushed Vivienne down behind the column, his body shielding hers as shards rained from the shattered glass doors.The masked men advanced in a V-formation, disciplined, not the sloppy chaos of street hitters. This was Gabriel Cross’s style, precision, efficiency, no wasted movement. They were here to send a message, not to miss."Marcus" Adrian barked into his comm, but static hissed in his ear.Vivienne’s breathing was fast and shallow. "They’re pinning us in.""Not for long."Adrian peeked out, sighted the lead gunman, and fired twice. The man crumpled before he could react. Adrian didn’t stay still long enough to be a target, he spun to Vivienne. "When I move, you move.""And if I don’t?" she shot back, her tone sharp even in the chaos.He gave her a look that left no room for debate. "You will."Before she could answer, a voice cut through the gunfire, smooth, deliberate. "Adrian."Gabriel Cros

The Kane Enterprises lobby had never felt this silent. The marble floors gleamed under the recessed lighting, the gold inlays on the walls catching faint reflections from the glass doors. But the glass was now hidden behind heavy ballistic shutters, sealed tight.Security staff moved like a well-rehearsed drill team, rifles at low ready, eyes scanning every angle, On the 40th floor, Adrian stood at the head of the war table, watching the live feeds on the big screens. Gabriel’s SUVs were closing in.Vivienne sat across from him, her tablet feeding a steady stream of intel. Marcus hovered by the door, his posture wound tight like a coiled spring. "ETA?" Adrian asked."Three minutes," Vivienne replied without looking up.Adrian’s gaze shifted to Marcus. "You’ve got your team in position?"Marcus nodded. "Two at the elevator banks, two in the service corridor, one watching the stairwell. If they get past the lobby, they’ll have to step over bodies to reach you.""Good," Adrian said. "Let