My grip tightens around the edge of the desk as I watch the door click shut behind Victor and Maria.
The lieutenants I once trusted are snakes, but if I play my cards right, I can still use them. They think they’ve outsmarted me-that they’ve already won-but I’m about to turn the tables.
The game isn’t over. Not yet.
I need to think, and I need to think fast. If Victor and Maria are feeding Ethan and Xavier information, then I’ll give them exactly what they want-only this time, the information will be false.
Whoever bites first will tell me exactly who’s pulling their strings. And when the trap snaps shut, neither Ethan nor Xavier will see it coming.
I pace back and forth, my mind running through all the possibilities. Feeding them bad intel could go one of two ways:
1. Ethan or Xavier will act on it immediately, exposing the traitor.
2. They’ll realize it’s a trap-and strike back harder.
It’s risky, but I’ve run out of safe options. In a game like this, there are no guarantees. Only power.
I pick up my phone and dial Victor’s number. He answers on the second ring, his voice guarded.
Victor: “Alyssa?”
Alyssa: “I need you to spread the word. We’ve got intel that Xavier’s planning to move a weapons shipment to the south docks tomorrow night.”
I pause, letting the lie sink in. It’s a juicy piece of bait. Ethan’s desperate to cripple Xavier, and a weapons shipment would be the perfect excuse.
Victor: “The south docks?”
Alyssa: “Yes. Tell Ethan we’ll hit it before it reaches the warehouse. If Xavier loses that shipment, it’ll throw him off balance.”
There’s a flicker of hesitation in Victor’s voice. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
Alyssa: “Since when do you care about wise, Victor?” I keep my tone cold. “Just do what I say. And make sure Maria knows, too.”
As soon as I hang up, I feel a twisted knot of satisfaction curl in my chest. If either of them alerts Ethan, he’ll make a move. And when he does, I’ll be ready.
But I can’t stop there. If I want to catch Xavier too, I need to plant a different story through another channel.
I grab my burner phone, dialing a number I’ve only used once before-a courier who works deep in the underworld, one whose loyalty lies only with the highest bidder.
Alyssa: “I need a message delivered to Xavier.”
The courier’s voice is flat. “What’s the message?”
Alyssa: “Tell him that Ethan’s planning an ambush-one of his lieutenants will attack the north warehouse tonight. If Xavier moves fast, he can take out one of Ethan’s top men before the hit goes through.”
The pieces are in motion. Now, I wait.
I glance at the clock. Hours tick by, but the tension feels suffocating. Every minute that passes is a reminder of just how delicate this game has become. Any wrong step could tip the scales and leave me vulnerable to both Ethan and Xavier.
Can I trust anyone? The thought gnaws at the back of my mind like a festering wound. Even the people closest to me have turned out to be liars. Victor. Maria. Isabella. I’ve learned the hard way that everyone has a price-and that most people will sell you out the moment the number is right.
But I can’t let doubt paralyze me. If I start second-guessing every move, I’ll lose this game before it even begins.
I pour myself a drink-whiskey, neat-and down it in one gulp. The burn in my throat feels almost welcome, grounding me in the moment. Whatever happens next, I need to be sharper than I’ve ever been.
It’s just after midnight when my phone buzzes on the desk. I snatch it up, heart racing. The message is short, but it’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
Victor: “Ethan is mobilizing his crew. South docks. Midnight.”
I smile grimly. He took the bait.
Not even two minutes later, a second message comes through, this time from my courier contact.
Courier: “Xavier’s crew is on the move. North warehouse.”
Perfect. They’ve both fallen into the trap.
For a moment, I savor the small victory, but it doesn’t last long. This isn’t over-not yet. Now that I know they’ve acted on the false intel, I have to decide how to use it to my advantage.
The question is: Do I let them destroy each other, or do I interfere? If I play it right, I could cripple both Ethan and Xavier in one move. But the wrong choice could backfire-badly.
As I sit back, considering my next move, my phone buzzes again. This time, it’s from an anonymous number. My stomach tightens. I know better than to ignore unknown messages.
I open it-and what I see makes my blood run cold.
It’s a tip, short and direct:
“Ethan is planning a full-scale attack on one of Xavier’s main properties at dawn. Be there-or lose your chance to end them both.”
I stare at the screen, heart pounding in my chest. This could be the break I’ve been waiting for. If Ethan is really going after one of Xavier’s most valuable properties, I could sabotage both of them in one blow.
But something about the message doesn’t sit right. Who sent this? And why now? It’s too convenient. Too perfectly timed.
Is it another trap? Or is it a genuine opportunity to end both men’s reigns once and for all?
I grip the phone tightly, my mind racing with possibilities. If I act on this tip, I could take control of everything-but at what cost? If it’s a trap, I’ll be walking straight into disaster. If it’s real, this could be my only chance to come out on top.
Do I gamble everything? Or do I wait-risking that the opportunity slips through my fingers?
My pulse hammers in my ears as the weight of the decision presses down on me. Whatever happens next, there’s no going back.