Shadow of Deception

he article she was working on-a deep dive into corporate corruption-had taken an unexpected turn. What started as a simple i

as Xander

power-tailored suit, commanding presence, and eyes that held secrets deeper than the ocean. Bill

made him

e-read the last email she received. Stop digg

er line of work, but this was different. The mes

panion in investigative journalism, but this was the first time

he dug, the more she found: disappearing board members, whistleblowers who went silent, and companies absorbed under

ago, she had found

had been tied to a missing diplomat's last known financial re

crypted servers, even a burner laptop

he door jolted her

ate. She grabbed the small pocketknife from her desk and made her way to the peephole

led out, masking the

le

under the door. Foots

per was thick, expensive. Inside was a sin

than death. Turn back

e card, her breath unsteady.

had never been

pacing her tiny apartment, the

eeded to breathe. Who

VPNs, multiple dummy accounts, using cash whenever possible. And y

e and dialed the one

p, pick

It's two in

journalist turned private investigator, Noah had been her mentor before

warning. A ph

Then, "

By the time she finished, she could hear him sh

re you?"

partm

g and get

not running. I n

stand," Noah cut

get a second warning. These peo

an down h

quiet, save for the occasional passing car. But was it qui

he muttered. "I c

ckless. Stay put

ue when her phone vibrated

omach

on. Someon

don't

epted t

ugh the speaker, sending an ic

voice drawled. "You

ne wen

ising in her throat. Noah was still shouting on the other end, de

w had moved acr

as comin

e lights. In the sudden darkness, her heartbeat thundered in her ears. She

. A silhouette loom

quietly. Whoever they were, th

rknob r

tighter. Her brain raced. Shoul

r creak

ed inside. Tall. Co

in a flash, the intruder's hand s

, are we?" The voice

itched. She kn

ood smiled in

And he's