Aiden:“His eyes were missing. Just two hollow pits where they'd been carved out after death.”That was the first image I saw of Daniel Grayson. My closest friend. The man who had fought beside me for years. The man who had once saved my life.His body lay lifeless in the photo. His missing eyes made my stomach tighten with rage. They had been removed, leaving only dark, hollow sockets. The brutality of it was undeniable. This is more than a killing.Reynolds continued. "The photo was taken after his death."I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palm. My mind raced back to the last time I had seen Daniel, the night before he left the military for good. He had taken a bullet for me, it should have being the one that should have ended my life. Instead, it had left him paralyzed, unfit to serve.That was the last night we spoke.Several days later, I received an invitation to his wedding. He had written a personal note at the bottom of the card: "Nathaniel, you must be there. No

Before the silence could stretch too long, a sharp voice cracked through the air like a whip."Who the fuck are you?" Isabelle demanded.I turned slowly.Before I could respond, Evans' voice rolled in from behind me, dry as desert wind."Maybe try answering the question instead of hissing like a snake. We asked first."The butler hissed from behind, stepping forward again, his eyes were sharp and he clenched his fists. "You better watch that tongue of yours, lowlife, before I rip it off—""Enough, Bertram," Isabelle snapped without even looking at him.She stepped closer to me now, her gaze cool and direct. "You said you're looking for someone?"I saw her eyes without flinching. "Daniel Tyrion."The atmosphere shifted instantly. Tension tightened the air like a noose. Conversations halted. Even the clink of champagne glasses stopped.I repeated, louder. "I came looking for Daniel Tyrion."A heavy silence followed.Bertram stepped forward, fury swelling in his chest. "How dare you spea

The moment cracked like thunder.The matriarch’s hands slammed down on the table. The wood screamed beneath her fists as she stood, furious. The entire room flinched.“You dare speak that name in my presence?!” Her voice was a beast. Even her loyal servants quivered under its weight.“Daniel!” I shouted again, stepping forward. “Daniel Tyrion! Your grandson! My friend! Tell me how the hell he died!”Gasps shot through the air like bullets. People backed away. Women grabbed pearls. A man dropped his wine glass, and it shattered against the marble.The matriarch’s voice returned, soaked in venomous sarcasm. “How dare a brat from House Caelum barge into my house like a rabid dog? Do you think I can’t touch your precious father, Aiden? Do you believe your name gives you immunity here?”She snapped her fingers and pointed.“Luther! Call that fool, Aldric Caelum! Tell him if he doesn’t appear here in ten minutes, his upcoming birthday banquet will become his funeral!”A heavy silence descen

I stood motionless, facing the barrel of a gun aimed straight at my chest held by the woman I had once promised my life to.“Lila…” I said her name with a quiet calm, ignoring the cold weight of the weapon. “You’ve been coughing for a while now. I noticed it the moment you spoke. You’ve been ignoring your treatment again, haven’t you?”Her brows furrowed. Her hand trembled slightly. But the fury in her voice didn’t waver. “Don’t,” she snapped. “Don’t you dare ask me about my health. Don’t you pretend like you care. You lost that right the moment you vanished.”I swallowed the sting of her words. “I’ve missed you,” I murmured.“If you say that again, Aiden, I swear I will pull this trigger.”The air was thick. The silence between us was louder than any scream.“Leave,” she spat. “You were dead to us. Stay that way. Don’t come back here ever again.”Then—“Mummy?”A small voice broke the tension like glass shattering on tile.Lila’s eyes widened. “Aurora,” she said quickly, lowering the

I sat there, slouched, staring blankly at the photograph. Lila’s words still echoed in my skull.Divorce.I wasn’t surprised, but that didn’t mean it didn’t cut deep.I should’ve been angry. Or maybe numb.But all I felt was… hollow.Just then, my phone buzzed sharply on the table, dragging me out of that storm of thoughts. The screen lit up with Evan's name.I answered. “Yeah?”“Morning, boss,” his familiar voice greeted, “How’s the house? You alright?”I rubbed my eyes, exhaling. “Any news? Movement from the Tyrions?”There was a pause.“Nothing yet,” Evan said finally, “They’ve been quiet since the incident at the manor. I got my eyes on the estate, though.”“Good.”“I was about to head your way,” he added. “Thought I’d drive you to the barracks—”“No need,” I interrupted. “I’ll find my way there, but I’ve got something else for you.”“Go on.”“I need you to look into something,” I said, standing and walking toward the kitchen, “check if there’s any new gang in town… one with a mas