8
Selene leaned against the warehouse wall, heart still hammering in her chest. The adrenaline from the chase had faded, leaving exhaustion in its wake. But there was no time to rest.
Elliot was the key to unraveling this mess. He had let her go, which meant he was wavering. And if she and Damian could get to him before Stanton did, they might have a shot at exposing the truth.
Damian checked his phone, jaw tightening. "I've got a contact tracking Elliot's movements. If he hasn't gone into hiding, we'll find him."
Selene nodded. "We can't give him time to run. If Stanton suspects he's a liability—"
"He's dead," Damian finished grimly.
A silence stretched between them, the weight of reality pressing down. Elliot wasn't an innocent man, but he wasn't their biggest enemy either. If they played this right, he could be their way in.
Selene straightened. "Let's move."
Damian arched an eyebrow. "You sure you're up for this? You barely got out alive back there."
Selene smirked despite herself. "You getting soft on me?"
Damian chuckled. "Not a chance. Just don't slow me down."
Selene rolled her eyes and followed him to the car. Time to hunt.
Tracking a Traitor
Damian's contact had been thorough. Elliot was holed up in a luxury penthouse downtown, likely trying to decide his next move.
Selene's stomach churned as they pulled up to the building. "He'll have security."
Damian smirked. "Good thing I don't play fair."
They entered the lobby, blending in with the late-night stragglers. Damian nodded toward the elevator. "Penthouse is on lockdown. Keycard access only."
Selene exhaled. "Then we need a key."
Damian scanned the room, then nudged her. "Bingo."
A suited man, likely part of Elliot's security, was chatting near the bar. His keycard hung from his belt.
Selene gave Damian a pointed look. "You better not be suggesting—"
"Relax," Damian murmured. "Just follow my lead."
He approached the bar, flashing a cocky grin. "Hey, buddy, you got a light?"
The guard barely spared him a glance. "Don't smoke."
"Shame." Damian glanced at Selene. "Looks like we'll have to find another way to entertain ourselves tonight."
Selene barely kept from groaning. But the guard's attention flicked toward her, and she saw an opportunity.
She smiled, stepping closer. "We were hoping to check out the penthouse bar. You know, get a taste of the high life."
The guard smirked. "Sorry, private access."
Selene tilted her head, resting a hand on his arm. "Are you sure? Just a quick look?"
The guard hesitated. Good.
Selene leaned in. "Maybe I can convince you."
The guard opened his mouth—to say what, she didn't care.
Because in the next second, Damian slammed his fist into the guy's jaw.
The guard crumpled.
Selene sighed. "Was that necessary?"
Damian shrugged. "Quicker." He yanked the keycard off the guy's belt. "Let's go."
Selene followed, stepping into the elevator. "You really are impossible."
Damian smirked. "You love it."
Face to Face with a Liar
The penthouse was dark when they entered. Expensive furniture, city views—but no Elliot.
Damian tensed. "Something's off."
A shadow moved.
Selene barely had time to react before a gun cocked behind them.
Elliot stepped forward, aiming a pistol at Damian's head. "I should have killed you when I had the chance."
Selene's pulse pounded. "Elliot, wait—"
His eyes burned with anger. "You think you can waltz in here and what? Get me to turn on Stanton?"
Damian didn't flinch. "That's exactly what we're here for."
Elliot scoffed. "You have no idea what you're dealing with."
Selene took a careful step forward. "Then tell us."
Elliot's grip on the gun tightened. "You think I want to be involved in this? You think I had a choice?"
Damian arched an eyebrow. "You always have a choice."
Elliot exhaled sharply. "Not when the people at the top have dirt on you."
Selene narrowed her eyes. "What kind of dirt?"
Elliot hesitated.
Damian smirked. "So, there is something. If Stanton's holding something over you, that means you're just as screwed as we are."
Elliot looked away.
Selene took another step. "You don't have to go down with them, Elliot. You can still make this right."
Elliot let out a bitter laugh. "And what? Run for the rest of my life?"
Damian tilted his head. "Depends. What exactly does Stanton have on you?"
Elliot hesitated for a long moment. Then, finally, he whispered, "A murder."
Selene's stomach dropped.
Elliot's eyes were distant. "Not just any murder. My brother."
The room fell silent.
Selene felt her breath catch. "What?"
Elliot's jaw clenched. "I thought it was an accident. Years ago. But Stanton had evidence. Proof it wasn't." He exhaled shakily. "And he made sure I knew—if I didn't fall in line, that proof would disappear, and I'd never find out who really killed him."
Damian's expression darkened. "So he's been playing you."
Elliot nodded. "And now, if he finds out I let Selene go… I'm as good as dead."
Selene met his gaze. "Then help us bring him down before that happens."
Elliot's eyes searched hers. For a moment, she thought he would refuse.
Then, slowly, he lowered the gun.
"I don't trust either of you," he muttered. "But I want Stanton dead more than I want to kill you."
Damian smirked. "Good enough for me."
Selene exhaled. "Then let's end this."