Chapter two, The InfernoMichael Krux POV The stadium was still burning when they shoved me into the back of an armored van.I sat on the metal bench, wrists cuffed to a belly chain, and watched the fire through the tiny rear window. Orange flames licked the sky like they wanted to eat the stars. The driver inside the Phoenix was already dead, I’d seen the cockpit turn into a furnace when the van lurched forward. Sirens howled. My tuxedo jacket was gone, shirt soaked with sweat and someone else’s blood from the scuffle on stage. After some minutes later, the doors opened into an underground garage lit by harsh white floods. I immediately knew where thie was, it was the Federal holding Sub-basement. No cameras allowed. They marched me to a steel table bolted to the floor where two men waited together with one old prosecutor I recognized U.S. Attorney Harlan Crowe, the guy who put three governors away within the space of five years. The younger ones were dressed in five grand

Chapter Four; Courtroom Massacre Michael Krux POV The chains felt heavier today.They marched me up the courthouse steps at 7:00 a.m. sharp. Hundreds of protesters on both sides of the barricades: some waving American flags and screaming “Traitor!”. Others held printed photos of the burning Phoenix with my face photoshopped onto the flames. They went as far as throwing plastic bottles and eggs off the riot shields around me. One hit my shoulder and burst, cold yolk sliding down the orange jumpsuit.I didn’t even flinch.Inside, the air was colder than the street. I was taken to the same courtroom with the same smell of wax and panic, but today the gallery was standing-room only. Every seat was taken by reporters, politicians, and people who just wanted to watch a billionaire bleed. I was already at the defendant's table when my “family” arrived.Reginald led the parade again, black suit darker than yesterday, face harder. Cecilia wore a black veil like a mafia widow. Damien had

Chapter Six, Day One Beatdown Michael Krux POV The block stank of bleach, sweat, and my fresh blood, the smell was too much and my body was so uncomfortable that I could barely sit straight. At this time, I was sure that two or my ribs were cracked already, lip split, left eye swelling shut. Still, I stayed on the bench across from Elias Voss because falling off would mean Bear and his pack would drag me into a corner and finish what they had started but Voss didn’t offer sympathy. He just watched me with those pale glacier eyes. I wanted to say something to release the awkward silence, to tell him that I would accept his offer if he promised to keep me safe. But before I spoke, he first me to it, he spoke in a very low voice so only I could hear. “Your father was a thief.” He shocked me. “1998 he took something from me that was worth more than every dollar you ever made. A ledge with names and accounts, proof that could drop governments and start wars. He promised to pay but

Chapter Eight. Numbers in the Dark Michael Krux POVSix months had passed since the gates first closed behind me.The days blurred into a steady rhythm of hard work, quiet lessons, and careful observation.I was no longer the man who arrived here leaner, stronger, sharper, My shoulders filled the jumpsuit differently now, and the men who once stared with contempt now looked away when I walked past.Voss had taught me more than survival.He taught me leverage and tonight, the block was quiet, lights dimmed to red emergency glow because of that for me. We sat at our usual table in the corner, no one else dared use it anymore. Voss placed a small folded paper between us.I opened the letter to see a single string of numbers.“Sixteen digits,” he said softly. “One account.Memorize it, then tell me what you see.”I studied the sequence until it locked in my mind. I tried to remember the build up Viss had taught me, how to read the figures, because he had said everything was a game of n

Chapter Nine, The First MessageMichael Krux POVThe hotel room was quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside the window.I sat on the edge of the bed, still in the plain gray clothes they had given me at the prison gate.No suit.No watch.Just a small envelope Voss had pressed into my hand before the helicopter took off.Inside: a single burner phone, fully charged, one contact saved.Aria.I hadn’t called yet.The laptop screen still glowed with the headline I couldn’t unsee.Layla Maxwell Engaged to Gabriel LuxterPower Couple Announces Wedding Date – Six Months AwayThe photo showed her smiling in a way I hadn’t seen in years.Gabriel’s arm around her waist.A diamond ring catching the light.I closed the laptop.My first instinct had been to drive straight to their new headquarters—Luxter Energy’s gleaming tower downtown.To walk into the boardroom, sit at the head of the table, and watch their faces drain of color.But something held me back.Not forgiveness.Not weakness.Curios