FROM RAGS TO THE THRONE

Chapter Three – Lines in the Rain

The Bentley’s tires hissed across the wet asphalt as Marcus turned down a narrow side street. The storm had slowed to a drizzle, but the city still glistened, every surface reflecting neon signs and passing headlights.

Adrian sat back, his mind a storm far worse than the one outside, Vivienne, Damien In the same frame, It could’ve been a coincidence. A setup. Or the kind of betrayal that burned deeper than Selena’s ever could.

"Marcus," Adrian said, voice low. "Two blocks ahead, cut the lights."

"Yes, sir."

The Bentley’s headlights died, and the car eased into the shadow of a tall brick building. Adrian spotted them instantly, Vivienne and Damien, standing beneath the awning of an upscale bistro.

She was immaculate even in the rain, her hair untouched by the drizzle, her posture relaxed but alert. Damien stood too close. Talking low. Smiling.

Adrian’s heartbeat slowed instead of quickened, the way it always did before a decisive move. "Wait here," he told Marcus.

The rain was cold as Adrian stepped out, his polished shoes splashing through shallow puddles. He approached without hurry, without theatrics. Vivienne saw him first. Her eyes widened slightly, but her face smoothed almost instantly, too fast for someone caught off guard.

"Adrian," she said, her voice even. "You weren’t supposed to be here."

Damien turned, his smirk the kind Adrian had seen across boardroom tables too many times. "Small world, Kane."

Adrian ignored him. His gaze stayed locked on Vivienne. "Care to explain?"

Vivienne’s lips parted as if to answer, but Damien cut in, his voice dripping with mockery. "Maybe she just likes better company."

Adrian’s jaw twitched once. "You’re still bleeding out from the last time you played this game, Damien. Don’t make me cut deeper."

Damien’s smirk faltered for the briefest moment, but Vivienne stepped between them, palm out. "Stop. This isn’t what it looks like."

"Then tell me what it is," Adrian said.

She glanced at Damien, then back at Adrian. Rain slid down her cheek like a tear. "If I tell you here, you won’t believe me. And if you don’t believe me, everything we’ve been planning… will fall apart before it begins."

Adrian’s eyes narrowed. "Try me."

Vivienne hesitated then leaned in, her voice just above a whisper. "He’s not your only enemy. And if you want to win, you’re going to need him alive."

Damien chuckled darkly. "Looks like your wife just saved my life, Kane."

"Or delayed your funeral," Adrian replied without blinking.

Vivienne stepped closer, her voice firmer now. "Come with me. Both of you. I’ll show you something."

Adrian glanced between them, suspicion warring with calculation. Rain drummed harder against the awning.

Finally, he nodded once. "Lead the way."

They moved quickly through the side streets, Vivienne in front, Damien just behind her, Adrian bringing up the rear. The air smelled of rain and city steel.

After several turns, they reached an unmarked black door tucked into a recessed alley. Vivienne keyed in a code on a small panel, and the door clicked open.

Inside, the air was warm, dry, and tinged with the scent of paper and coffee. They were in a dimly lit office, walls lined with filing cabinets and corkboards covered in pinned photographs, maps, and red string connecting them like a spider’s web.

At the center of the largest board was a photo of Adrian, circled in red, Vivienne turned to him, her expression deadly serious. "This isn’t about your ex-wife anymore, Adrian. Someone’s been hunting you for years."