2025-06-10 23:53:03
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
255
Three Days Later — Tokyo, JapanLocation: Private Tea House, Shibuya DistrictThe paper screen slid open silently as Maiko Katsura entered, her presence as sharp and precise as the blade hidden beneath her kimono sleeve. She wasn’t just an information broker—she was a legend in the intelligence world, someone even seasoned field operatives refused to cross.Vivian stood waiting, dressed simply in black, no weapons visible, but her eyes betrayed the fire that had only grown since the confrontation with Lucien.Maiko’s lips curled faintly. “You came without backup. Either brave… or reckless.”Vivian bowed slightly. “Both.”Maiko gestured to the cushion across from her. “Then speak. And don’t waste words.”Vivian slid a flash drive across the lacquered table. “Nadia Greer. Victor Hale. Marco Bellini. We tracked the link back to your territory. I need names, networks, satellite leases, ghost server jumps—everything.”Maiko didn’t even look at the drive. “And what do I get in return?”Vivi
254
The buzz of tension hadn’t even begun to settle when the door to the safehouse’s main floor clicked open again.Vivian and Dylan both turned sharply, hands instinctively brushing their concealed holsters.But it wasn’t an intruder.It was Agent Serena Voss—tall, poised, icy-eyed, and draped in her usual navy coat that seemed to hum with command.Behind her trailed Specialist Lin Cho, whose tablet was already lit up with real-time satellite pings.“Did you miss the part where this was a restricted site?” Dylan growled.Serena didn’t blink. “I override my own clearances.”Vivian stepped forward. “Then override this—walk back out, Voss. We’re not playing diplomatic games anymore.”“I didn’t come for games.” Serena’s eyes flitted to the monitor showing Victor Hale sipping wine. “You’re playing with fire, Vivian. Hale’s not just ‘retired.’ He’s an asset that never shut down.”“Asset,” Vivian repeated, voice low. “Is that what you call a man who once sold out half our Eastern field network
253
Vivian’s eyes flicked back to the photo on her screen. The grainy image captured the moment perfectly—her soft smile to Dolly, the protective hand of Dylan resting on her shoulder, the obliviousness of the people around them. But now, that moment was tainted. Someone had been watching, waiting. Her throat tightened. “They want me rattled.” Dylan’s voice was low but firm. “Then we don’t give them the satisfaction.” She nodded, determination hardening like steel in her chest. “I’ll double security around Dolly. No more public appearances without full sweeps.” “Good.” Dylan’s tone grew sharper, eyes flicking back to the street outside the car window. “No more slip-ups. We can’t afford mistakes.” Vivian swallowed, running a hand through her hair. “You think they’re going to try something soon? Like, escalate?” Dylan shook his head slowly. “It’s not if. It’s when. They’re already testing the waters—sending signals. That photo wasn’t just for intimidation. It was a message.” A bitter
252
The tires glided along the wet asphalt as Dylan navigated through the back roads leading out of the Grandview District. Vivian sat forward, fingers drumming restlessly on her thigh. Every now and then, she glanced back at Dolly, now asleep again, clutching her stuffed fox.“Do you trust R completely?” she asked suddenly, breaking the silence.Dylan didn’t hesitate. “With my life.”Vivian frowned. “Even after what happened in Marseille?”He gave her a quick look. “R didn’t screw up. We were fed bad intel. Remember who signed off on that op? Not him.”She exhaled, nodding slowly. “Still… we need a secondary verification line. Maybe two. I don’t want to rely on just one voice in my ear.”“Already working on it,” Dylan said, turning onto a narrower street. “Encrypted backups. All routed through ghost servers. I’ve got a contact in Berlin who owes me a favor.”“Berlin?” Her brow lifted. “Still keeping secrets from me, huh?”He smirked. “Not secrets. Just stories I haven’t told yet.”Vivian
251
Vivian’s eyes flicked back to the photo on her screen. The grainy image captured the moment perfectly—her soft smile to Dolly, the protective hand of Dylan resting on her shoulder, the obliviousness of the people around them. But now, that moment was tainted. Someone had been watching, waiting.Her throat tightened. “They want me rattled.”Dylan’s voice was low but firm. “Then we don’t give them the satisfaction.”She nodded, determination hardening like steel in her chest. “I’ll double security around Dolly. No more public appearances without full sweeps.”“Good.” Dylan’s tone grew sharper, eyes flicking back to the street outside the car window. “No more slip-ups. We can’t afford mistakes.”Vivian swallowed, running a hand through her hair. “You think they’re going to try something soon? Like, escalate?”Dylan shook his head slowly. “It’s not if. It’s when. They’re already testing the waters—sending signals. That photo wasn’t just for intimidation. It was a message.”A bitter laugh
250
Chapter 250: Smoke in the MirrorThe Virelli Phantom glided down the boulevard like a shadow with purpose, the engine’s hum barely louder than a heartbeat. Inside, the silence simmered—not empty, but alert. Vivian’s fingers curled tighter around her phone as she re-read the message.That manager’s brother works for my campaign. He’ll be gone by morning. You still think you need to fight alone?A chill traced her spine, though her face remained composed. Political leverage, threats hidden in promises—it wasn’t unfamiliar territory. But this felt different. Personal.“Vivian,” Dylan’s voice broke through her thoughts. “That message… it wasn’t nothing.”She met his gaze, hesitant. “It was just… politics.”He arched a brow. “Politics usually doesn’t make you grip your phone like a grenade.”Vivian let out a slow breath. “Someone’s reminding me they’ve got reach. That manager inside? The one who tried to embarrass us? Apparently, his brother’s about to lose his job. As a ‘favor’ to me.”Dy
You may also like
Xayne Xavier, The Ironclad Protector
Blanco Burn171.9K viewsThe Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection
Dreamy Fire199.4K viewsThe Return of the War Legate
Celestial Clouds653.6K viewsSon-In-Law: Love and Revenge
Mas Xeno84.4K viewsTHE RISE AND FALL OF A CHOSEN HEIR
Sergius Madden720 viewsThe Almighty Tom Sullivan
Cecilia Williams1.4K viewsRise Of The Hidden Student Billionaire
Divi Chris4.4K viewsThe Housekeeper’s Legacy
Wonderful65787 views