Alyssa’s POV
The room was dark except for the faint glow of the city skyline seeping through the penthouse windows. I leaned against the sleek granite counter in Isabella’s safe house, my fingers drumming impatiently on the cool surface.
My contact was late, and every second stretched like an eternity. The weight of what I was about to do pressed down on my chest, suffocating but exhilarating.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath, glancing at my phone for the hundredth time. No messages. No updates. Just silence. The kind that preceded a storm.
The door creaked open, and my hand instinctively went to the knife tucked into my boot. A tall figure stepped inside, and I recognized him immediately-Donovan, one of Xavier’s lieutenants.
His sharp cheekbones and cold eyes screamed danger, but there was something different about him tonight. The usual smugness had vanished, replaced by a flicker of… unease?
“You’re late,” I snapped, straightening up.
“And you’re still alive,” Donovan countered, his tone clipped. “Aren’t we both lucky?”
I crossed my arms. “Spare me the theatrics. What do you have?”
He hesitated, his gaze flickering to the door before stepping closer. “Xavier doesn’t trust Ethan anymore. He’s planning to take him out during their next meeting. Clean, efficient, no loose ends. The only problem? You’re the wildcard.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Me? What do I have to do with their little power struggle?”
Donovan scoffed, his lips curling into a bitter smile. “Don’t play dumb, Alyssa. You’ve become the center of their chessboard. Ethan thinks he can use you to outmaneuver Xavier, and Xavier knows it. He wants to eliminate the threat-you-before Ethan can make his move.”
The words hit me like a slap, but I didn’t flinch. I’d known I was walking a tightrope, but hearing it laid out so bluntly made my stomach churn.
“So why are you telling me this?” I asked, my voice low and steady.
“Because I’m tired of cleaning up Xavier’s messes,” Donovan admitted, his jaw tightening. “And because I know you’re smart enough to turn this to your advantage. But you need to be careful. They’re both more dangerous than ever.”
I studied him, searching for cracks in his armor. Was this a trap? A ploy to lure me into Xavier’s clutches? But his eyes held no malice, only a grim determination that mirrored my own.
“What’s the play?” I asked, leaning in.
Donovan hesitated again, his gaze flickering to the shadows. “Xavier’s set the meeting for tomorrow night at The Vortex. It’s a neutral ground-or so they think.
He’ll have his men in place, ready to strike the moment Ethan walks in. If you’re there, you’ll be caught in the crossfire.”
“And you expect me to just sit back and let them tear each other apart?” I shot back, my voice rising.
“No,” Donovan said sharply. “I expect you to use that brilliant mind of yours to survive. Whatever you’re planning, make sure you’re one step ahead. Because if you’re not, neither Xavier nor Ethan will hesitate to put a bullet in you.”
The weight of his words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. I clenched my fists, my mind racing with possibilities. I could warn Ethan, but that would mean aligning myself with him-and after everything he’d done, I wasn’t sure I could stomach that. On the other hand, if I let Xavier execute his plan, it would only cement his power and make him even harder to take down.
“I’ll handle it,” I said finally, my voice firm.
Donovan nodded, a flicker of respect in his eyes. “Good luck, Alyssa. You’ll need it.”
As he turned to leave, I called after him. “Donovan. Why are you really doing this?”
He paused, his hand on the doorknob. “Because sometimes, even devils like us want to see a different kind of hell.”
With that, he was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the suffocating weight of what lay ahead.
The Vortex was a den of sin and power, its gleaming marble floors and gilded chandeliers a stark contrast to the darkness that lurked within.
I walked through the grand entrance, my heels clicking against the polished surface. My heart pounded, but my face was a mask of calm confidence.
Every step felt like a gamble, every glance a potential threat. Xavier’s men were stationed at strategic points, their sharp eyes scanning the crowd. Ethan’s men were more discreet, blending into the opulent surroundings like shadows.
And then there was me, the wildcard.
I spotted Xavier first, lounging in a private booth with a glass of whiskey in hand. His piercing gaze met mine, and a slow, predatory smile spread across his face.
“Alyssa,” he drawled as I approached. “What an unexpected pleasure.”
“Cut the crap, Xavier,” I said, sliding into the seat across from him. “We both know why I’m here.”
He chuckled, swirling his whiskey. “Straight to the point. I’ve always admired that about you.”
Before I could respond, Ethan entered the room, his presence like a thunderstorm on the horizon. His sharp suit and cold blue eyes made him look every bit the calculating predator he was.
“Alyssa,” he said, his tone clipped as he joined us. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
“Clearly,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
The tension between the two men was palpable, a coiled spring ready to snap. I leaned back, watching as they exchanged veiled insults and subtle threats.
And then it happened.
The lights flickered, and a deafening crash echoed through the room. Chaos erupted as Xavier’s men drew their weapons, and Ethan’s men followed suit. I ducked under the table, my heart racing as gunshots rang out.
“You set me up!” I hissed at Xavier, who crouched beside me with a smug grin.
“Me? I think you underestimate Ethan’s penchant for theatrics,” he replied, his voice annoyingly calm.
“Enough!” Ethan barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. He glared at both of us, his gun trained on Xavier. “This ends now.”
But before he could pull the trigger, a cold, sharp voice rang out.
“Drop your weapons, all of you.”
I looked up to see Donovan, flanked by a group of heavily armed men. His gaze locked onto mine, and for the first time, I saw the full extent of his resolve.
“Alyssa,” he said, his voice steady. “It’s time to choose.”
The room fell silent, all eyes on me. My mind raced, torn between loyalty and survival, between trust and betrayal.
And then I made my decision.