Adrian's Possession

tracts, trust clauses-sat like a coiled snake, each line a hiss of Elena's defiance. Four years since the crash, and that girl still held the keys to what should've been mine. I snatched

le, I thought, my jaw t

l his last breath. I'd carved my own path, but Stephen's wealth-his shipping routes, ripe for the taking-had been the prize I'd kill for. Four years ago, I had. Now Elena stood in my wa

epped in, his gray suit immaculate, his v

years ago, we'd rigged Stephen's car, watched it burn with Maria-and Lisa-inside. My goal was the company, a goldmine for the cartel's smuggli

doorway, his jaw set, eyes dark with impatience. "Adam," he said, dropping into the chair across fr

ber liquid catching the light, and took a slow sip, the burn steadying me. "She's a brick wall," I said

tephen for this, and now what? The cartel's itching to move those

ty-one," I said, shoving the will toward him. "Mining's manageable, but the shipping company? That's the crown, and she's got her claws in

ing forward, elbows digging into

ne waiting," I said, my voice dropping to a cold edge. "

e rubbed his jaw, a faint stubble rasping under his fingers, then let out

A street hit-car swerves, she's gone. Quick, quiet, like she never existed." I paused, a dark thought flickering-h

nd deliberate. "Risky, but it tracks. The bo

hot, and I'm not gambling on her next birthday." The words hung heavy, a promise of violence

lright. But first-a drink. W

nt cutting through the ice in my veins. "W

ast stand, clear the path to everything I'd bled for. The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine, cold an

the fizz hissing into flutes. He raised his glass, the bubbles glinting lik

To taking what's ours." The champagne was crisp, prickling m

as I mapped it out. "She walks home from school-5th and Maple's dead enoug

ody we can cut loose after. Cops'll call it a tragedy and move on." He paused

's edge. "She's Stephen's ghost. We bury her with

arm, the air thick with whiskey and intent, but my focus was a razor's edge. Every detail locked tig

g his shoulders. "I'll get it moving," he s

rising. "Peter, make

nd cold. My reflection stared back-hard jaw, harder eyes-and I smirked, thin and sharp. Elena's days were ticking down, her 18th birthday a shadow I'd