Silent veins of power

d motionless, his broad shoulders tense, and his hands buried deep in the pockets of his worn leather jacket. The weight of the mission ahead pr

elf into the underbelly of three major cities while maintaining the façade of a respectable businessman. Axel'

oks. It was his safehouse, the only place he could think clearly. He moved to the desk and flipped through the file again, this tim

vereux. H

ousand sorrows. She had died when he was barely ten, her body weakened from years of s

thoughts, and his hand instinctively w

called out before the

ed back and his dark eyes sharp as ever. He closed the door behind him and approache

curtly, though his clen

re gesturing toward the file. "This

ted. "It's

work we do," Elias warned. "It clo

is grandfather had been the one to pull him out of the chaos of his youth, training him, shapi

worn armchair in the corner of the room

out. "I'm going to find him. And when

exist. Do you really think confronting him wi

xel's voice was cold, calcu

interrupted the conversation. He pulled it from his pocke

muttered, swip

e through, frantic and trem

ady grabbing his coat, his m

rside Park. There's a man.

you are. I

o Elias, who was already on hi

. "She's in

ainst the pavement as he made his way to his motorcycle. The engine roared to life,

bike and scanned the area, his sharp eyes quickly locating Celeste through the rain-strea

rance. He was unremarkable in appearance, but his predatory gaze was unm

aimed, relief fl

ger was watching them now, his posture tense. Axel took a step forward, hi

hen he didn't move, Axel's hand shot out, grabbing him by the c

ice was low, but it car

, muttering curses under his breath

bly shaken. He sat down across from her,

ll trembling. "He's been following me

thing calling me,

ed with gratitude and fear. "I'm sorry for d

e said simply. "Nothi

mile, but it quickly faded. "D

what's good for h

Axel couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Celeste's stalk

one, Axel dialed a

voice answered o

or me," Axel said, his tone leaving no room

it," Cyru

to Celeste. "I'm going to handle

gh the fear in h

afé. Axel escorted Celeste to his motorcycle, determined to keep her safe.

e. And they were about to find out