Silent veins of power

ickering light. Cyrus leaned forward, his calm demeanor masking the razor-sharp edge of his in

than his name," Cyrus said, his voice steady and c

knuckles white. "I told you everything already. He doesn't t

c sound slicing through the tense air. "You're lying. Middlemen don't sur

ntrast to the tension in the room. "Maybe he's stalling because he thinks Vaughn's gonna r

"You don't understand. Vaughn doesn't rescue anyo

f everyone in the room. "You're already dead if you don't tal

Vaughn's planning something big-something involving the Valentini family. He's been bu

, his expression dark.

something about taking control of the docks and crippling Lucian's

puzzle starting to come together

aughn didn't tell me. All I know is that Felix was order

like Vaughn underestimated how

his focus still on Kane.

ore than a few days. But if you're serious about finding him, there's a club he

his expression unreadab

than nothing,

ached Kane, his grin sharp and mena

tting in. "You can't kill me.

iability. If Vaughn finds out we

asured. "He's more useful alive-for now. We ca

ed. "Fine. But if he trie

led him to his feet. "Looks like you're

nto the heart of the city's underbelly. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and the pounding bass of electr

eyes scanning the crowd. Cyrus had stayed behind to secur

termind," Caleb muttered, his vo

stincts guiding him toward the bar at the back of the room. The bart

the bartender asked,

undred-dollar bill across the counter

ked toward the VIP section upstairs. "You didn't hear it fr

turned to Cale

ationed at the bottom. The upper level was quieter, the music muffled by thic

he wood. Faint voices carried through, though he couldn't make out

ck

a set of lockpicks with a flourish. "Told you I'd come

m was sparsely furnished, with a large desk dominating the center. Papers and maps

in conversation. One of them matched Garrick Vaughn's desc

ow night," Vaughn was saying. "

om, his pistol drawn and aimed at Vaughn. "I

b was faster, taking him down with a single sho

e cold and mocking. "Axel Devereux.

been making a lot of enemies lately, Vaughn.

everage, nothing more. Lucian Valentini's empire is crumbl

ned on Vaughn's head. "You talk a

k killing me will stop this? You're too

hn wasn't bluffing-his confidence was root

hallway snapped Axel out of

said, grabbing the l

ling, forcing Vaughn's remaining guard

ded the hallway. Chaos erupted behind them as they rac

scrambling for cover. Axel and Caleb moved like shadows,

running until they reached their vehicle. Caleb slid i

athing heavy. "We've got what we ne

ursing through his veins. "T

hem. Vaughn's words echoed in his mind, a chilling reminder of the ba