Moris Sinclair had seen his fair share of threats. Ruthless billionaires. Criminal masterminds. People who thrived on fear and destruction.
But Ronan Vale?
Ronan was something else.
He wasn't just a hacker. He wasn't just a ghost from the past.
He was a war waiting to happen.
And now, he was sitting in Moris's office, staring straight into the security camera, as if daring them to make a move.
A Silent Invasion
Leo's fingers flew across the keyboard, trying to regain access to the security feed. But the moment the screen went black, the system had locked him out.
"Dammit," Leo muttered. "He's inside."
Sarah's expression was unreadable. "He wants us to know he's there."
Moris exhaled, his jaw clenched. "And I'm going to find out why."
Sarah grabbed his arm. "Hold on. We can't just storm in. What if he's waiting for us?"
Moris met her gaze. "He already knows we're watching. If he wanted me dead, he wouldn't be sitting there. He's making a statement."
Leo looked between them. "Then what's the plan?"
Moris checked his watch. "We leave now."
Sarah hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Let's move."
Face to Face with a Ghost
The Sinclair Enterprises headquarters was eerily quiet at this hour. The only sound was the low hum of security cameras tracking their movement.
The moment they stepped out of the elevator, Moris could feel it.
An invisible pressure in the air.
Sarah's hand rested near the small knife she always carried. Leo, usually talkative, was silent.
Moris pushed open the office door.
And there he was.
Ronan Vale sat in Moris's leather chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. He was younger than Moris expected—maybe mid-forties—with sharp green eyes and an unsettling calmness.
"Ah," Ronan said smoothly. "The man of the hour."
Moris stepped forward. "You have ten seconds to explain why you're here before I throw you out that window."
Ronan chuckled, shaking his head. "Straight to threats? That's disappointing."
Sarah crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
Ronan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Let's talk about power."
Moris narrowed his eyes. "Go on."
Ronan gestured around the office. "You built an empire, Sinclair. You crushed your enemies. But no matter how much money you have, how many buildings bear your name… you're still weak."
Moris didn't flinch. "And let me guess—you're here to fix that?"
Ronan smiled. "I'm here to offer you a choice."
Sarah scoffed. "I doubt that."
Ronan ignored her. His gaze stayed locked on Moris.
"You can try to fight me, like all the others before you." He shrugged. "They lost."
"Or?" Moris prompted.
"Or," Ronan said, tilting his head, "you join me."
Silence.
Leo's breath caught in his throat. Sarah took a small step closer to Moris, tension rolling off her in waves.
Moris didn't move. Didn't blink.
Then, after a long pause, he spoke.
"I don't work for anyone."
Ronan's smile widened. "That's where you're wrong."
Moris leaned forward. "If you think—"
The lights flickered.
Sarah's phone vibrated once. She glanced down. Her face paled.
Leo's laptop beeped rapidly. "No, no, no," he whispered. "This isn't—"
Every screen in the office lit up.
And on each one was footage.
Footage of Moris.
Deals he had made. Conversations he had had. Secrets.
Things no one outside his inner circle should have access to.
Sarah clenched her fists. "How did you—"
Ronan stood slowly, his presence filling the room. "I already own everything. Your past. Your empire. Your reputation."
Moris felt a slow, burning rage rise in his chest.
"I told you," Ronan continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't about money. It's about power."
He turned toward the door.
"I'll give you time to think about my offer."
Then, before anyone could stop him, he walked out—vanishing into the darkness like he was never there.
The War Begins
The moment Ronan was gone, Leo cursed under his breath. "We're screwed. We're so, so screwed."
Moris didn't move. Didn't speak.
Sarah finally broke the silence. "Moris?"
He exhaled slowly.
Then, in a voice colder than ice, he said,
"We burn him."
Sarah's lips parted slightly. "How?"
Moris turned to Leo. "You said no one could find him. Then we make him find us."
Leo frowned. "That's insane."
Moris smirked. "Good. Then it's exactly what we're going to do."