Isla stood in the corridor 1 breath 2 folder in hand heart thudding in her chest 1 second 2 she knew what she was about to do would change everything
She knocked 1 time 2 3
Come in
His voice smooth sharp a blade wrapped in velvet
She opened the door 1 step 2 3 Damien looked up from his desk eyes dark assessing he was always watching always calculating
You are early
She crossed the room 1 step 2 folder extended I have something you need to see
He did not reach for it yet his gaze stayed on her unmoving
You always bring trouble with you
She met his stare 1 breath 2 then maybe you should stop opening the door
A flicker of something in his eyes amusement anger she could not tell
What is it this time
She placed the folder on the desk pushed it toward him quietly
I traced the last offshore transfer it links back to a law firm in Zurich one that used to represent Cole
He went still 1 heartbeat 2 his fingers brushed the folder but he did not open it
And
She stepped closer 1 breath 2 because whoever is behind the account used a dummy trustee name one tied to a past Blackwood acquisition
You are being watched too Damien whether you want to admit it or not
His jaw tightened 1 second 2 who else knows
Just me for now
He stood slowly presence filling the room like a storm building at sea
You are playing a dangerous game Isla
Then maybe you should start playing it with me
A long pause 1 breath 2 then he opened the folder flipping through the documents the lines in his face deepened
This changes everything
It confirms what I already knew
And what is that
Cole never disappeared completely someone kept his machine running kept the money moving kept the shadows alive
She leaned forward voice low 1 heartbeat 2 and now they are trying to scare us into silence
A flash of fury behind his eyes let them try
Her phone buzzed she glanced down unknown number again
Another message
He held out his hand give it to me
She hesitated 1 second 2 then passed it over
He read it once then twice
You were warned now you will bleed
She swallowed hard 1 breath 2 the room felt colder
You think they are escalating
He met her eyes without blinking yes and they will not stop until we force them into the light
A beat passed between them 1 heartbeat 2 3
Then we set the trap
Not yet
Why
Because I need to be sure who we are baiting
Silence wrapped around them tension coiling like wire
What are you not telling me Damien
He turned away walking toward the window city lights stretching endlessly before him 1 breath 2
There is someone else
Who
Someone on the inside someone close someone I trusted once
Her blood ran cold
You think someone at Blackwood is helping them
Yes
Her thoughts spun fast sharp jagged
Then we are not just being watched we are surrounded
He turned back eyes unreadable voice like steel
Then it is time we stop waiting for them to strike
And strike first
He nodded
A war is coming Isla
She stepped closer her voice barely above a whisper then let them come
Absolutely here's Chapter 13 written in your same immersive format using only letters and numbers no full stops and filled with intensity pacing and rising stakes
Isla sat in the car 1 breath 2 Damien beside her his silence louder than any words the city passed by in blurs of light and shadow
Where are we going
Someplace safe
That is not an answer
He turned his head slightly enough for her to catch his profile jaw tense eyes forward
You asked for the truth now you are going to get it
She looked down fingers fidgeting in her lap 1 tap 2 she was not sure what she expected but it was not this not the way her pulse kicked up with every turn of the car not the feeling that everything was about to shift
The car slowed turned again into a narrow street lined with tall steel buildings that reflected nothing but darkness
Where are we
He opened the door before answering get out
She followed 1 step 2 breath sharp in the cold night air heels clicking against the pavement her eyes never leaving him
Damien led the way into a building nondescript windows tinted no markings
Inside now
She hesitated for only 1 second 2 then stepped through the door
The space inside was dim lit by monitors scattered across a long table lines of code data offshore accounts transaction maps Cole's name blinking on one of the screens
Isla stared at it pulse spiking
What is this
This is how I have been tracking them
Her breath hitched 1 heartbeat 2
For how long
Years
She turned to him eyes narrowing
And you never said anything
Because you were not ready and because I needed to be sure I could trust you
She stepped closer voice tight and low I have risked everything to get this far and you still think I might be the enemy
Not the enemy Damien said quietly but a liability if you walked away
I am not walking away
Good because now we are in it together
1 second 2
What exactly are we in
He tapped the screen zoomed in on a map multiple pins glowing red one in Zurich one in Paris one too close
They are moving money again tonight
Isla stepped closer heart racing 1 breath 2 and you know where
Not yet but I can follow the signal I just need access
She pulled her laptop from her bag hands moving fast keys tapping code appearing lines chasing each other across the screen
I will open the port and trace the last bounce we follow the trail from there
Damien watched her 1 breath 2 something shifting in his eyes that made her throat tighten
You are good at this
She didn't look at him fingers flying I learned from the best
And who was that
My father
A beat of silence 1 heartbeat 2 then
He would be proud of you
She stopped typing just for a moment eyes stinging breath shallow
Do not say that if you do not mean it
I do
She looked at him finally the distance between them short but sharp
What if we do all this and the truth still stays buried
Then we dig deeper
And if we never find him
Then we destroy everything he left behind
The screen pinged a new alert blinking bright and fast
Got it
Where
Geneva
Damien leaned closer shoulder brushing hers eyes locked on the data
That is our next move
Her heart pounded 1 breath 2
Then let's make it count
He looked at her then a long look heavy with everything unspoken
We will
The screen blinked again brighter now
The game had shifted
And they were no longer just players
They were coming for the board