2025-01-25 07:29:43The drive home was quiet, but Kelvin’s mind was anything but. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he replayed the evening in his head, particularly the brief exchange with Maria. There was something about her that lingered in his thoughts. Her grace, her poise, the way she effortlessly commanded attention, it all felt so natural, yet unnervingly deliberate.
Is she aware of Victor’s dealings? The question gnawed at him as the city lights blurred past his windows. When he reached his townhouse, he parked in the driveway and stepped out into the crisp night air. The faint hum of distant traffic accompanied him as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Kelvin didn’t bother turning on the living room lights. Instead, he went straight to his study, the faint glow of his desk lamp illuminating the room. Dropping into the leather chair, he leaned back and stared at the ceiling, his mind still tangled in questions. He poured himself a glass of scotch from the decanter on his desk, taking a slow sip as he contemplated his next move. His instincts told him Maria wasn’t just another guest at Victor’s party. She was involved, how deeply, he wasn’t sure. His thoughts were interrupted by the sharp ring of his phone. He glanced at the screen. Adrian. Kelvin answered, leaning forward in his chair. “Adrian.” “How did it go?” Adrian’s voice was calm but probing, the tone of a man who demanded results. Kelvin sighed. “It went well, I guess. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just a party.” “No violence? No shady deals?” “None that I could see,” Kelvin said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Maybe it was just a regular gathering.” Adrian’s tone sharpened. “Kelvin, you know better than that. Victor doesn’t throw ‘regular gatherings.’ He thrives on staying out of sight when people stop watching. We need more than guesses. Keep your head in the game.” Kelvin nodded, though Adrian couldn’t see him. “I know. I’ll dig deeper.” “Good. Don’t lose focus.” The call ended abruptly, leaving Kelvin staring at the screen. He hesitated for a moment, then scrolled through his contacts and dialed another number. The phone rang twice before April picked up. “Kelvin,” she said, her voice bright but cautious. “What’s up?” “I need you to look into someone for me,” Kelvin said, leaning back in his chair. “Who?” “Maria. She was at Victor’s party tonight. I need to know if she’s connected to him in any way.” April sighed. “Maria, huh? And what makes you so curious about her?” Kelvin ignored the teasing tone. “Just a feeling. Can you do it?” “Already on it,” April said, the sound of her typing faint in the background. “Give me a second.” Kelvin waited, the seconds stretching into minutes. Finally, April spoke. “Okay, so far, nothing suspicious. She’s clean, no criminal record, no ties to anything illegal. Just your average upper-class woman with a spotless reputation.” Kelvin frowned. That didn’t add up. “Wait,” April said suddenly, her voice laced with intrigue. “I found something. It’s not much, but it’s... interesting.” “What is it?” “I’m sending it to your phone now.” A moment later, Kelvin’s phone buzzed. He opened the image, his breath catching slightly. It was an old photograph of young Victor Alonso standing beside a young girl, Maria. She couldn’t have been more than twelve or thirteen. “They knew each other,” Kelvin murmured, his eyes fixed on the image. “Years ago,” April confirmed. “It doesn’t prove anything, but it’s worth noting. Victor doesn’t keep people around unless they’re useful.” Kelvin stared at the photo, his mind racing. His phone rang again, this time, it was Maria calling. “I’ll call you back,” he told April quickly, switching lines. “Maria.” “Kelvin,” her voice was smooth, almost playful. “I couldn’t stop thinking about our conversation earlier. I was wondering if we could meet again.” Kelvin hesitated. This could be an opportunity. “When and where?” “There’s a restaurant I adore, Le Mirage, in the city center. Tomorrow evening?” Kelvin considered it for a moment. “All right. Seven o’clock.” “Perfect. I’ll see you then.” Maria hung up, leaving Kelvin with more questions than answers. Before he could dwell on it, he called April back. “You’re meeting her?” she asked immediately, her tone sharp. “Yes. Tomorrow night.” “And what’s your plan? Charm your way into her confidence?” “Something like that,” Kelvin admitted. “I don’t think she knows anything about Victor’s dirty business. If she did, she wouldn’t have been so open with me.” April scoffed. “That’s wishful thinking. Victor doesn’t let people close to him unless they’re involved. You know that.” “Maybe she’s different,” Kelvin said, leaning forward in his chair. “If she doesn’t know, I’ll tell her. She could help us bring him down.” “Kelvin, that’s a terrible idea,” April said firmly. “If she’s loyal to Victor, she’ll run straight to him the moment you open your mouth.” “She’s not loyal to him,” Kelvin said, his voice steady but quiet. “I can feel it. And if I’m right, she could be our way in.” “And if you’re wrong?” April pressed. Kelvin didn’t answer immediately. His grip tightened on his phone as he stared at the photograph of Maria and Victor, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. “I’m telling her,” he said finally. “Kelvin—” “It’s the only way,” he interrupted. The line went silent for a moment, the tension palpable. “You’re playing a dangerous game,” April said finally, her voice heavy with warning. “I know,” Kelvin said, his tone resolute. “But it’s a risk I have to take.”
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Chapter Nine
Kelvin groaned as he pushed himself off the ground, his body aching from the crash. Every muscle screamed in protest, and the sharp sting of his injured shoulder made his breath hitch. Blood seeped through his torn shirt, dripping onto the asphalt. The air was thick with the scent of burning metal and gasoline, the remnants of the crash smoldering behind him.He tried to steady himself, planting one foot firmly on the ground, but before he could fully rise, a shadow loomed over him. A powerful fist crashed into his face, snapping his head back and sending him sprawling onto the ground again.“Thought you’d make it out of this alive, huh?” growled the burly man with the beard, his voice dripping with contempt. He cracked his knuckles, towering over Kelvin like a predator savoring its prey.Kelvin rolled onto his side, spitting blood onto the pavement. “Still better than working for Victor,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.The man sneered, his boot slamming into Kelvin’s ribs. The impact
Chapter Eight
Kelvin sprinted out of the abandoned building, his chest heaving. The cool night air hit his face, but he didn’t have time to savor it. Parked a few feet away, gleaming under a faint moonlight, was a sleek black sports car with the name Black Phantom engraved on the side. It looked fast, exactly what he needed.Without hesitation, Kelvin approached the car, pulling a small multi-tool from his pocket. He smashed the driver’s window with a swift blow, unlocked the door, and slid inside. His hands moved quickly, destroying the ignition switch and exposing a cluster of wires. He found the positive leads, twisted them together, and the engine roared to life.“Sorry about the mess,” he muttered to the car’s absent owner before slamming his foot on the accelerator.Kelvin’s phone buzzed as he sped down the dark streets, the map April had sent him glowing on the borrowed device.“Kelvin, are you close?” April’s voice crackled through the line.“Almost,” Kelvin said, weaving through sparse tra
Chapter Seven
Kelvin gripped the steering wheel tightly as his car sped down the dimly lit road. The tires screeched when he braked hard, making a sharp U-turn toward the location Maria had given him. His pulse raced, his mind swarming with doubts and questions. Could Maria really be trusted? Or was this another trap?He tapped the button on his steering wheel to call April. She picked up almost immediately.“Kelvin, what’s going on?” April’s voice was sharp with concern.“It’s Maria,” Kelvin said, glancing at the GPS on his dashboard. “She called me. She’s not part of Victor’s business, she just found out. She says she has a document that contains everything, all of Victor’s dirty deals. She wants me to meet her to pick it up.”There was a pause. Then April spoke, her tone skeptical. “And you believe her? Kelvin, she could be lying to cover for him. Or worse, leading you into a trap.”“I don’t think so,” Kelvin replied firmly. “She sounded shaken, April. She knows something now, and she wants to h
Chapter six
Kelvin sat at a corner table in Le Mirage, the elegant hum of conversations and the soft clinking of glasses filling the air. The restaurant was bathed in warm, golden light, its high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers. He glanced at his watch, his nerves hidden behind a mask of calm. Maria wasn’t late, yet but every passing minute felt heavier than the last.He took a sip of water, his mind rehearsing the conversation he planned to have. He couldn’t afford to slip. Every word mattered.The soft sound of heels clicking against the marble floor drew his attention. He looked up to see Maria entering the restaurant, her red dress once again catching the light. She scanned the room before spotting him and smiled apologetically as she approached.“Kelvin,” she said, her voice warm but slightly breathless. “I’m so sorry. Traffic was a nightmare.”“No need to apologize,” Kelvin said, standing as she arrived. “I just got here myself.” It was a lie, but one he told smoothly.They sat,
Chapter Five
The drive home was quiet, but Kelvin’s mind was anything but. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he replayed the evening in his head, particularly the brief exchange with Maria. There was something about her that lingered in his thoughts. Her grace, her poise, the way she effortlessly commanded attention, it all felt so natural, yet unnervingly deliberate.Is she aware of Victor’s dealings? The question gnawed at him as the city lights blurred past his windows.When he reached his townhouse, he parked in the driveway and stepped out into the crisp night air. The faint hum of distant traffic accompanied him as he unlocked the door and stepped inside.Kelvin didn’t bother turning on the living room lights. Instead, he went straight to his study, the faint glow of his desk lamp illuminating the room. Dropping into the leather chair, he leaned back and stared at the ceiling, his mind still tangled in questions.He poured himself a glass of scotch from the decanter on his desk, ta
Chapter four
Kelvin froze as the woman’s voice echoed in his mind. He looked her over, taking in the long, flowing hair that framed her delicate face, the sharp cheekbones, and the curve of her lips as she smiled at him. Her red dress clung to her body in all the right places, the rich crimson fabric shimmering under the chandelier lights. She was beautiful, captivating even, but what stood out most was her confidence. She didn’t look like one of the power-hungry politicians or business elites lurking in the room. She seemed... different.For the first time that evening, Kelvin felt unprepared. His mouth went dry, and when he finally spoke, his words stumbled out. “I—uh—do we know each other?”She laughed softly, her voice like velvet, and took a sip from the glass of wine in her hand. “No, we don’t,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “But you looked like someone who could use some company. I was looking for a dance partner. Would you care to join me?”Kelvin blinked, momentarily thrown off. He
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