ROLAND’S POV
The door to Sebastian’s room shut softly behind me, but the sound reverberated in my ears like a gunshot.
My heart was racing, not out of fear, but the anticipation of what was to come.
The plan was already set in motion, but I couldn’t afford to falter now. Every move mattered. Every step was critical.
I moved through the expansive halls of Sebastian’s estate with deliberate calm, ensuring no trace of tension showed on my face.
There were too many eyes in this place, eyes that wouldn’t hesitate to report back to him if they caught wind of something suspicious.
I wasn’t afraid of Sebastian, per se, but I knew what he was capable of.
I’d seen the aftermath of his fury firsthand, and I had no intention of being on the receiving end of it. Not today.
Once I made it to my room, I wasted no time. The sleek, black duffle bag lay under my bed where I’d stashed it earlier. I crouched down, my fingers brushing against the cool fabric as I pulled it out.
Inside was everything I needed: weapons, documents, a change of clothes, anything that might be required for the mission ahead.
As I zipped up the bag, a part of me couldn’t help but think about the risks. Betraying Sebastian wasn’t something anyone did lightly.
Hell, it wasn’t something most people did at all, not if they valued their lives. But I wasn’t most people. I’d spent years playing the part, earning his trust, climbing the ranks. All of it had led to this moment.
Still, as I slung the bag over my shoulder and straightened up, a flicker of doubt crossed my mind. Was this really the right time? Was I truly prepared to cut ties and risk everything I’d built for the sake of this mission?
No. Second-guessing myself now would be fatal. I had to keep moving.
I left my room as quietly as I’d entered, the bag hidden beneath my coat to avoid any curious glances.
The estate was bustling as always, with staff moving in and out of rooms, their faces blank and expressionless as they carried out their duties. None of them paid me any attention, and I intended to keep it that way.
Once I stepped outside, the crisp evening air hit me like a slap to the face. It was a stark contrast to the warmth of the estate, and it did wonders to clear my head.
The black sedan I usually drove was parked in its usual spot, but tonight, it would remain untouched. Driving myself directly to the penthouse would be too obvious, too easy for Sebastian to trace. I needed to cover my tracks.
Flagging down a cab wasn’t difficult. This part of the city was always crawling with taxis, their yellow exteriors practically glowing under the streetlights. I raised a hand, and within seconds, one pulled up to the curb.
“Where to?” the driver asked, his voice gruff as he adjusted his rearview mirror to get a look at me.
I gave him the address of the penthouse, making sure to add, “Take the long way. I’m not in a hurry.”
The driver raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. As the car pulled away from the curb, I leaned back against the seat, my fingers drumming against the duffle bag on my lap.
The city blurred past the window, a kaleidoscope of lights and shadows. Normally, I found the chaos of the urban landscape soothing, but tonight, it only served to heighten my nerves.
The drive felt both endless and far too short at the same time. When we finally arrived, I handed the driver a few crisp bills and stepped out, glancing around to make sure I hadn’t been followed.
The building loomed above me, its sleek, glass exterior reflecting the glow of the city.
I took a deep breath before entering, nodding at the doorman as I passed through the lobby. He didn’t stop me; he never did.
My visits here had become routine over the past few months, though the purpose of those visits was anything but ordinary.
The elevator ride to the penthouse was silent, the only sound was the faint hum of the machinery as it ascended. I adjusted my grip on the duffle bag, my mind racing through the steps of the plan.
By the time the doors slid open, I’d already steeled myself for the confrontation ahead.
My partner was waiting for me inside, lounging on the leather couch like he didn’t have a care in the world.
He looked up as I entered, his sharp blue eyes narrowing slightly when he saw the bag slung over my shoulder.
“Going somewhere?” he asked, his tone light but laced with curiosity.
I set the bag down on the floor and shrugged out of my coat, tossing it onto the back of a chair. “Not exactly,” I replied. “Had to make sure I was ready for tonight.”
His gaze lingered on the bag for a moment before he leaned back, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “You sure you’re not planning on skipping town? Because it sure as hell looks like it.”
I smirked, though the gesture felt hollow. “If I wanted to disappear, you wouldn’t even see me coming, let alone leaving.”
He chuckled at that, a low, rumbling sound that filled the room. “Fair enough. So, you’ve got everything you need?”
“Yeah.” I crossed the room and sat down opposite him, my eyes scanning his face for any signs of doubt or hesitation.
“The real question is: are you ready? This isn’t something we can half-ass. Once we go in, there’s no turning back.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his expression grew serious. “I’ve been ready for weeks. You’re the one who had to tie up loose ends.”
“That’s because I had more to lose,” I shot back, though there was no heat in my words.
“Sebastian doesn’t trust you the way he trusts me. If he even gets a hint that I’m involved in this, it’s game over.”
“And yet, here you are,” he said, gesturing to the bag. “So, I guess that means you’ve made your decision.”
I nodded, my jaw tightening. “I have.”
For a moment, the room fell silent, the weight of what we were about to do settling over us like a heavy blanket. This mission wasn’t just dangerous,
it was suicidal. But it was also necessary.
“Good,” my partner finally said, standing up and stretching. “Then let’s go over the plan one more time. I don’t want any surprises tonight.”
I followed suit, grabbing the bag and slinging it over my shoulder once more. “Agreed. If we’re going to pull this off, we need to be precise. One wrong move, and we’re both dead.”
As we began to go over the details, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Whatever happened tonight, there was no coming back from it.
And yet, as I looked at my partner,
his expression determined, his resolve unwavering, I knew I’d made the right choice.
By the time the clock struck midnight, we would either succeed in our mission… or we’d die trying.