Silent veins of power

leaned against the kitchen counter, his expression grim as he scrolled through the files Caleb had pulled from Vaughn's laptop. Th

his voice breaking the tension in the room. "Vaughn's targeting mu

s jaw clenched. "And Celeste?

everage point under a file named 'Project Echelon.' It's vague, but it mentions someth

ed grin playing on his lips. "Maybe he knows she's

nformation Cyrus had uncovered. "What's Proj

s neck. "It's heavily encrypted. Whatever it is, V

eared at the bottom, his face pale and his hands bound. Caleb had s

to talk again," Axel

hing I know. Vaughn keeps his secrets close. If there's anyth

ver Kane. "You worked for him for years, yet you're clai

ut that's it. Something about a shipment coming in through the eastern

el said firmly. "You're not leav

ing him to the docks is risky. Vaughn's m

," Axel replied, his gaze unwave

-

ontainers and towering cranes. The faint hum of machinery echoed in the

uctantly in tow. The moonlight provided just enough illumination to navi

f binoculars. "Guards. Six of them, spread out across the per

aid, already reaching for the small

. If this shipment is as important as Kane says, we nee

ere's a blind spot on the west side. If we move now, we c

y, their movements honed by years of training. The sound of their footsteps wa

ainers, their eyes scanning the area. A large cargo ship lo

s whispered. "The shipm

his expression cold.

d you, I don't know. Vaughn

his eyes. "

hed the edge of the dock, taking cover behind a stack of crates. The guards

his bag, setting it on the ground.

amera feed displaying on Cyrus's tablet. He guided it to

xel asked, his gaze

ns or drugs. This is military-grade equipment-surveillance tech, encrypt

sn't just dismantling the Valentini empire-he was positio

k," Axel said. "We

sharp crack echoed through the air. The drone's feed wen

s," Caleb said, dr

d toward the intruders. Bullets ricocheted off the

back as the group retreated

nd, but Caleb yanked him forward.

ing the air. Axel's mind raced as he led the group toward the exi

ks, Axel spotted a small boa

the boat, shoving Kane inside. The others foll

of the cargo ship fading into the horizon. Axel slum

aid, his tone grim. "But Vaughn's

on the dark waters ahead. "T