2025-10-13 21:31:43
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Chapter 16
Chapter 16ALEXI thought about Damien's furious words from last night: *I specifically warned you that getting involved with the Snow family would get you killed.* What had the real Marcus learned about my family that had prompted such desperate warnings?"Alright," I said, the words tasting like surrender and determination in equal measure. "Let's do it. When do we move on Marcus?""Team's assembling now. We'll intercept him at the private terminal, quick and clean. I'll text you the location where we're taking him. You should be there—he'll need to see your face, understand that someone's been impersonating him.""Jensen," I said before he could hang up, "about the rescue staging—how badly beaten are we talking here?"There was a long pause. "Bad enough to be convincing. Bad enough that Lily won't question why you couldn't escape on your own. But nothing permanent, nothing that won't heal."I touched my ribs, remembering the brutal beating that had preceded my awakening to these n
Chapter 15
Chapter 15ALEXI stared at the ceiling of my temporary safe house bedroom, watching the shadows shift as dawn began to break. I hadn't slept at all. How could I, when my mind kept replaying the same scene over and over?Damien throwing himself in front of me. The impact of the bullet. The way he'd barely flinched before returning fire with deadly precision."System," I subvocalized into the darkness, "show me the replay again. Focus on Damien's shoulder wound."The footage materialized in my enhanced vision, crystal clear despite having been captured in the chaos of the firefight. I watched frame by frame as the bullet tore through Damien's shoulder, the spray of blood, the way his body absorbed the impact.And then—nothing. No hesitation, no favoring of the wounded arm, no signs of pain beyond that initial moment of impact. He'd continued moving, shooting, protecting me as if he hadn't just taken a bullet meant for my borrowed face.[Analysis Complete: Subject exhibited accelerated
Chapter 14
Chapter 14: Old WoundsDAMIENThat had been the most infuriating discovery of all. The man I'd spent my life planning to destroy was essentially innocent of his family's crimes. Spoiled and privileged, yes, but not evil. Not like his parents had been.His parents, who had framed my mother and father for financial crimes they didn't commit.His parents, who had stood by while my family was destroyed by scandal and legal battles.His parents, who had never faced consequences for their actions because they'd been too wealthy, too connected, too protected by the system they'd helped create.They'd died in that car accident before I could make them pay. But their son remained.And the sins of the fathers...I walked to my desk and picked up the photograph I kept there, the one reminder of what I'd lost and why I'd dedicated my life to revenge.Two families at a company picnic, maybe twenty years ago. My parents, Richard and Elena Carter, standing beside James and Patricia Snow. Everyone wa
Chapter 13
Chapter 13DAMIENThe leather seat of my Bentley felt like ice against my back as Julian pulled away from the Snow estate. The bullet wound in my left shoulder throbbed with each heartbeat, but I'd had worse. Much worse.What bothered me wasn't the pain—it was the instinct that had made me throw myself in front of Marcus Holloway without thinking.My "spidey sense," as I'd come to call it, had never steered me wrong. It was an inherited gift, passed down through generations of Carter men who'd served as protectors, advisors, and occasionally executioners for powerful families. The ability to read situations, to sense danger, to know when someone was worth saving or when they needed to die.Tonight, that instinct had screamed at me to protect Holloway. But I didn't understand why."Sir?" Julian's voice cut through my brooding. He was watching me in the rearview mirror, his dark eyes sharp with concern. "Should I take you to Dr. Reeves?""No," I said, rolling my shoulder to test the dam
Under Fire
Chapter 12: Under FireALEXI stared at him, my mind racing. He was talking like he'd had previous conversations with Marcus Holloway—conversations warning him to stay away from events like this one."I... I thought it was just business," I stammered, maintaining Holloway's accent despite my shock. I had to keep up the facade no matter what there was no way, he would know I'm fake."A networking opportunity. I had no idea—""No idea?" Damien's grip on my jacket tightened, as my breath hitched, as I could feel his strength in his hold that he was trying to contain. "I specifically warned you that getting involved with the Snow family would get you killed. I gave you a lot of detailed intelligence about their operations, their connections to these kinds of people." He gestured toward the continuing firefight that was still happening but I had forgotten about in the heat of the moment. "And you showed up anyway?"The gunfire was beginning to subside, but Damien's attention remained fix
CHAPTER 11
Chapter 11ALEXGerald Whitmore cut through the crowd like a ship through water, his imposing presence causing conversations to pause as he approached our position near the window. I tensed, certain that despite my transformation, he would somehow recognize me. The system had warned that the identity manipulation wasn't perfect against people who knew the subject well.But as Gerald drew near, his pale blue eyes swept over me with polite interest rather than recognition."Marcus Holloway," he said, extending his hand with a warm smile. "Gerald Whitmore. I believe we've corresponded about some mining investments in South Africa."I shook his hand, relieved that he was treating me as the genuine article. "Indeed, Mr. Whitmore. Though I must say, your correspondence was rather more persistent than I'm accustomed to.""Persistence is a virtue in our business," Gerald replied smoothly, then turned to acknowledge Damien with considerably less warmth. "Carter.""Whitmore," Damien responded,
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