2025-11-06 04:29:36The porcelain mask instantly broke in the middle. Alexander's eyes fell upon the crayon sketch that was affixed to the wall of the war chamber. A black ghost with two white slashes for eyes and a flowing cloak. Below: GHOST DADDY, written in shaky purple characters.
His knees gave way. The mask broke against the concrete floor of the deserted metro tube and fell from his fingers. Like ice, shards flew everywhere.
Tatiana grabbed his elbow. "Alex?"
He was mute. Tears formed a film behind the drawing. When he listened, Mira's little fingers had caught the tilt of his head and the curve of his scar.
Grayson knelt beside him, needle piercing skin where a bullet had brushed his bicep. "Take a breath, supervisor. Prioritize stitching above disintegration.
Alexander's tone sounded gravelly. "I was drawn to her."
"Yes." Grayson tied off the suture, bit the thread. "The child is talented." as well as memory.
Drone telemetry, flickering satellite feeds, and Benjamin's Senate gala live-streaming in a corner all contributed to the battle room's hum. With her legs crossed and her scarlet soles flashing, Victoria Langford leaned back against a steel table. She wore a black pantsuit cut sharp enough to draw blood, blonde hair tied in a bun that screamed boardroom predator.
"Emotional," she purred as she drank coffee from a broken mug. Benjamin's Senate seat and ten million dollars. I'll pay that for the girl's location.
With shards crunching beneath his boots, Alexander raced forward. "You believe you can put my daughter up for auction?"
Victoria remained unflinching. "I believe I can give birth to her before dawn. Your decision.
With a Glock at her side, Tatiana moved between them. "Where is she?"
"Be safe. For the time being. Victoria put down the mug. She belongs to Harrison Whitmore. Benjamin's son is a bastard. enjoys harsh play.
Grayson's needle hesitated. "Lucy Martin." The mole is her.
Alexander's head jerked in his direction. "Explain."
investigated her burner. Five minutes after we dropped Mira, a signal came in from the safehouse. Harrison's van pulled out at the same moment.
Tatiana's hold caused her knuckles to turn white. "I'm going to gut her."
Victoria grinned, slow. "First, ladies."
With his boots crushing porcelain dust, Alexander paced. We've had Lucy since Blackridge. Fed Benjamin's first-day intelligence
"Day 3," Victoria clarified. "I set her up. policy of insurance.
Grayson squinted his eyes. "You were on both sides?"
“Always.” She slid a flash disk across the table. "Coordinates." Anacostia Safehouse. Mira is being held by Harrison until Benjamin transfers the trust fund. She becomes collateral after that.
The drive was grabbed by Tatiana. "Why assist us?"
"Because I was promised a Senate seat by Benjamin." tried to pay in lead after that. Victoria's collarbone had a slight bruise that she touched. "Being cheated bothers me."
Alexander's pace ceased. When Benjamin is in a cell, you are given the seat. Not earlier.
Velvet over steel was Victoria's laugh. "Agree. However, the 10 million dollars cannot be negotiated.
Over his stitch, Grayson taped a gauze pad. At 0400, we struck the safehouse. Drone cover, breach and clear, flashbangs
Tatiana racked the slide and loaded a magazine. "I want Lucy to live." She talks, then she bleeds.”
Picking up a piece of the mask, Alexander rotated it in his hands. "This is what Mira drew before she ever saw me."
Softly, Tatiana remarked, "She heard stories." From the nanny. from me, when I believed she had fallen asleep.
Victoria shoved the table away. "The clock is ticking. Harrison’s twitchy. like trying out the products.
The shard wounded Alexander's palm as his fist clinched. Blood pooled and trickled onto the illustration. "He dies slowly after touching her."
Grayson gave him a brand-new mask, it was matte black and not made of porcelain. Phantom 2.0. Let's get going.
Alexander was drawn into the shadows next to the servers by Tatiana, who grabbed him by the wrist. With an eager taste of coffee and gun oil, her mouth met his. His palms were flat against the soft curve of her back as he slipped them under her jacket. She pressed closer, teeth scraping his lower lip.
"Return to me," she muttered.
“Always.”
Victoria cleared her throat. "Avoid foreplay. We need to save a child.
Alexander pushed away, mask sliding over his face. “Gear up.”
They moved quickly (rifles, vests, communications checks). Victoria was given a drone controller by Grayson. "You are an Overwatch pilot. Make money.
She grinned. "Avoid shooting me if I save your asses."
Tatiana put the crayon sketch inside her sweater and kissed it. "For good fortune."
Boots resounding, Alexander led them up the stairs of the tunnel. Above, the city waited, hungry and black.
He had a buzzing burner. Unknown figure. He read the text.
Lucy: Keep the package safe. Forward the bonus.
In his hands, the screen cracked.
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Chapter 13: Radiation Confession
The air was heavy with the sterile smell of antiseptic. The heart monitor's steady beeping reverberated across the otherwise quiet room as Grayson lay in the hospital bed. Every breath seemed to be an extraordinary effort, and his body felt heavier than usual. He could feel it, the poison was working its way through his veins, his every cell screaming in pain. His mind was as sharp as ever, but his body was shutting down. Tatiana was standing next to him, staring at him with a mix of worry and something more intense flitting in her eyes. She had supported him through more difficult times, watched him fight in conflicts, and stood by him through innumerable crises, but now there was a strange weight between them. Both of them were aware that time was running out. A new wave of sickness struck Grayson, causing his face to twist in agony and his fingers to twitch feebly. He tried to sit up, but his body revolted, and he sank back into the pillows with a groan. "Stop, Grayson
Chapter 12: Ledger Ghosts
Isabella Montgomery's fingers sped over the keyboard like lightening. Each instruction and keystroke was a deliberate blow, a direct assault on Benjamin Whitaker's kingdom. She wasn't merely breaking into the system; she was destroying the basis of his fortune. "Done," she whispered to herself as the final upload concluded. Her screen came to life, verifying that all of the major outlets were now using the altered financial information. The world was about to discover Benjamin's dark secret—his money-laundering schemes masquerading as charitable organizations for kids. Breathing deeply, she slumped back in her chair as the moment's truth set in. It was finished. The evidence was visible. The world would be aware of Benjamin's actions. A crystal decanter broke against the wall in Benjamin Whitaker's luxury suite across town. The piercing boom reverberated throughout the opulent room as glass fragments were strewn all over the floor. With his fist gripped so tightly that it
Chapter 11: Hospital Shadows
The gentle hum of equipment blended with the sterile fragrance of the intensive care unit. Grayson's body was in ruins, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, and the cardiac monitor's constant beeping abruptly stopped. A nurse's hands were shaking as she rushed for the defibrillator, and the seconds flew by. He froze. The air seemed to hold its breath, and his chest froze. After a few stressful moments, his heart was brought back to life by a powerful electrical surge that surged through his body. Fighting the pressure in his head, his eyelids flickered open, albeit unfocused. His senses were dull, his limbs were weak, and the room appeared to be a blur. The voice said, "Come on, Grayson, stay with us," above the mist. It belonged to Victoria Langford; it was sleek and dominant. Always in charge. With his teeth clinched, Grayson said, "Don't think... you can get rid of me yet," She whispered, "Get a grip," as she smoothed his wet hair back. Even when a man she
Chapter 10: Knife in the Dark
Like a tomb, the warehouse doors yawned open. Alexander coasted on momentum until gravel crunched beneath the tires after killing the Suburban's engine two blocks out. With his mask tight and his scar aching, he ventured out into the darkness. With Mira's weight pressing heavily against her chest in the sling, Tatiana trailed behind, Glock lifted. Lucy's zip-ties were rattling with each stumble, and Cole and Victoria were at her sides. Despite the pain, Grayson brought up the rear with his AR-15 solid and his side bandaged tightly.Alexander had a buzzing burner. Bring the patents, Harrison. She may also bleed.He smashed the phone and threw away the pieces. "No bargain."When Tatiana noticed the ink leaking through his shirt, her gaze shifted. "You're on fire.""Later." He gestured ahead.Boots silent on crumbling concrete, they crept through a side door. Broken skylights striped the floor with moonlight. The smell of rat droppings and grease filled the air.On his wrist tablet, Gray
Chapter 9: Nanny’s Lie
Headlights carved golden tunnels through dripping darkness as the Suburban was completely engulfed by the subway tube. Overhead, corroded pipes plinked with water. Alexander killed the engine next to a platform covered with graffiti. The air tasted of old pennies and mold.The girl's head lolled on Tatiana's shoulder as she carried her down the stairs. Cole soaked the former Ranger's side with blood as he supported Grayson. The woman staggered, her face swelling, as Victoria pulled her by the zip-ties.A maintenance door was kicked open by Alexander. Inside are monitors flickering with city feeds, folding tables, and buzzing generators. He strapped Lucy's ankles and threw her onto a metal chair."Speak," he said in a flat voice.Lucy's lip broke, gushing blood. Benjamin first appeared at the shelter three years ago. claimed that if I monitored Tatiana, he would locate Jacob. fed him every bedtime tale and every word from his "daddy."Mira's blanket caused Tatiana's knuckles to turn wh
Chapter 8: Safehouse Siege
The safehouse door blew inward, sending shrapnel-like splinters flying. Barking from his AR-15, Grayson charged through the smoke. Flashes of muzzles swept through the dark living room. Before they cleared leather, two of Harrison's guards fell; one was shot three times in the chest, while the other was shot in the eye."Leave clear!" Grayson let out a yell.Alexander, Glock spraying fire, leaped the couch. With his knife out, a third guard sprang from the corridor. Alexander swerved and pushed the man's throat with his elbow. The cartilage crunched. The guard fell and gurgled.Mira gripped tightly as Tatiana ran past. "Basement!"Victoria kept her weapon steady and covered the back. "The stairs are really hot!"The drywall over her head was eaten by an automatic fire. She rolled and fired back two accurate rounds. With a lurch, the gunman on the landing fell down the stairs.The basement door was kicked open by Grayson. The air was stale, with bleach, mildew, and fear. Lucy Martin wa
