Manipulating Ethan and Xavier at the same time is like juggling knives-one slip, and I’ll bleed out. But I’ve spent too long being their pawn. Now, I’ll make them dance to my tune.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back isn’t the same Alyssa Morgan who thought she could survive this world by playing it safe.
No. If I’m going to survive-if I’m going to win-I have to become someone neither of them expects. Someone ruthless.
The first move is simple: Make them doubt each other. Project Phoenix is the skeleton key-the one thing that ties Ethan and Xavier together, but also the thing they fear most. It’s my leverage. They have secrets buried deep, secrets they’ll kill to protect.
And I intend to use every one of them.
The burner phone buzzes on the nightstand. I grab it, glancing at the message:
Ethan: Meet me at the docks at midnight. Alone. We need to talk.
I smirk, tucking the phone into my bag. Talk? Sure. I’ll listen carefully-and then twist his words to make Xavier choke on them. The irony isn’t lost on me. I used to think these men could protect me. Now I know better.
But before any of this can work, I need to keep them both in the dark. They can’t see the knife coming until it’s already in their back.
The wind howls through the docks as I step onto the cold, slick pavement. Ethan stands by the water, his silhouette framed against the glow of the harbor lights. He looks dangerous-coiled, like a predator waiting to pounce.
“You came,” he says, his voice low and rough.
“I always do,” I reply, keeping my tone cool. Let him think I’m still on his side. That’s the trick-make him believe he’s in control, even while I’m pulling the strings.
Ethan steps closer, close enough that I can feel the tension radiating off him. “Xavier is making his move soon. We need to act first.”
I arch a brow. “And by ‘we,’ you mean me doing the dirty work while you sit back and reap the rewards?”
His lips twitch in the faintest hint of a smile. “You’re learning.”
Learning, yes. But not what he thinks.
“I need you to feed Xavier bad information,” Ethan continues. “Make him think you’re still loyal to him. Get close. Find out what he’s planning.”
“And then?”
“Then,” Ethan says, “we end him. Together.”
I tilt my head, studying him. There’s something different in his eyes now-something darker, colder. He isn’t the same man who kissed me in the rain or whispered promises of protection.
But that’s fine. Because I’m not the same woman, either.
“Fine,” I say, pretending to hesitate. “I’ll do it. But when this is over, I want something in return.”
Ethan narrows his eyes. “What?”
“Control.” The word rolls off my tongue like poison. “If I bring Xavier down, I want what’s mine. Full control of everything.”
He doesn’t flinch. “Deal.”
Liar. The word echoes in my head. I can see it in the way he smiles-this is all just another game to him. But that’s the beauty of it. He thinks he’s using me.
He doesn’t know that I’ve already started using him.
After leaving Ethan, I make a quick call to Isabella.
“I need you to spread a rumor,” I say the moment she answers. “Make sure Xavier hears that Ethan is planning to betray him.”
“Bold,” Isabella replies, her tone dripping with amusement. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”
“You have no idea.”
We hang up, and I allow myself a moment to breathe. If everything goes according to plan, Ethan and Xavier will tear each other apart.
But plans like these rarely go smoothly. I know better than to trust in luck.
The next night, I meet Xavier in a private room at a club he owns-dark walls, expensive whiskey, and too many shadows. It smells like power and danger, a fitting backdrop for the devil himself.
Xavier lounges in a leather chair, swirling a glass of amber liquid. He watches me with a lazy smile, as if he already knows why I’m here.
“So,” he drawls. “Ethan sent you to spy on me, didn’t he?”
I keep my expression neutral. “What makes you think that?”
He chuckles, low and dangerous. “Because that’s exactly what I would’ve done.”
Damn him. He’s sharp. Too sharp.
But I’ve prepared for this. I know how to play him.
“I’m not spying,” I say, taking a seat across from him. “I’m here to offer you something better.”
His eyes gleam with interest. “I’m listening.”
“Ethan is planning to double-cross you,” I say, keeping my voice calm. “But I can give you a way to stop him-if you give me what I want.”
“And what is it you want, Alyssa?”
“Leverage,” I reply. “Enough to end this war-and anyone standing in my way.”
Xavier leans back, studying me with a calculating expression. I can see the gears turning in his mind, weighing my words, searching for the angle.
“And why should I trust you?” he asks.
I smile, leaning forward slightly. “Because you don’t have a choice.”
The moment hangs in the air, heavy and electric. If he buys the bait, this might actually work.
Finally, Xavier smirks. “You’ve got guts, Alyssa. I’ll give you that.”
He downs his drink and sets the glass aside. “Alright. Let’s see where this goes.”
The Mole
Everything seems to be falling into place-until it doesn’t.
I’m walking out of the club, my heart racing with the thrill of being one step closer to my goal, when my phone buzzes.
It’s a message from Isabella. Urgent.
Isabella: We’ve got a problem. Xavier’s mole knows about your meetings with Ethan. You need to get out-now.
Shit.
The blood drains from my face. If Xavier finds out I’ve been playing both sides, I’m dead.
I spin on my heel, heading for the back exit. Every nerve in my body is screaming at me to run-but I force myself to stay calm.
I push through the crowd, heart pounding in my chest. I can’t let them catch me. Not now. Not when I’m so close.
But just as I reach the door, a hand clamps down on my arm.
I whirl around, coming face-to-face with one of Xavier’s men-a cold smile curling his lips.
“You’ve been very busy, Ms. Morgan,” he says softly. “Too busy.”
Panic claws at my throat, but I shove it down. I force a smile, my mind racing for a way out.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, trying to sound calm.
The man leans in, his smile widening. “Oh, but you do.”
He pulls out his phone, showing me a message-a photo of me and Ethan at the docks, timestamped just hours ago.
“You’re going to come with me now,” the man says. “Or I send this to Xavier.”
My heart slams against my ribs. The walls are closing in, and I’m running out of time.