The captive's kiss

e room was thick with tension, each page revealing more about the Silent Order's depth of corruption, its influence reaching far

make sense. "Here," she said, pointing to a series of dates linked with transfers. "If we follow these transactions, t

e right. We can track them, map out their network. But it's

oing in her mind: "Find the roots, Ava.

rder's system before they knew what hit them. Ava, Ethan, and Marco s

determination as she approached the meeting spot-a seemingly abandoned warehouse overlooking the harbor. Her mother'

the musty scent of the sea filled the air. It was silent except for the distant hum of boats.

cured by a hat and coat, his stance calm and assured. Ava's blood ran co

ad

, a look of knowing familiar

illing her senses. "You...

le, Ava. The Silent Order is not just an organization. It's a way of life-a power that comm

his-for your secrets. You lied to us, and yo

angerously calm. "If you had known, they would have come for you. Just li

ecoming," Ava shot back, her voice shaking. "Everythin

"You think you know me, Ava? Yo

ing out a sleek, black device-

button, "the people you love will be caught in the crossfire. Ethan, Marc

, and she looked over her shoulder to see Ethan and Marc

I'm afraid it's too late now," he sn

ted outside. Flames licked the edges of the build

threw his shoulder against the door, forcing it open just as another exp

g plumes of fire and dust into the sky. The heat pressed down on them, relentless and searin

ve, but a powerful member of the Silent Order. Everything

h ominous silence. Marco was tending cuts on Ethan's face, while Ava

but we cannot give up. We are closer than ever, and your father's

d, her voice shaking. "If he's involved, t

ich means reinforcements we are going to need.

them. She still had the flash drive; her father hadn't destroyed it. But woul

yet offered her a glimmer of hope. "My mother kept records of her contacts-people

e find them, form an alliance. We strike at the Or

. They were giving their lives to a reason that felt impos

rything but they

every lead, setting up secret meetings with those who might still owe her mother a debt. Slowly but surely, they pieced together a m

e game of life, brought one closer to death. But th

o confront him. They set a trap, choosing an aban

ounding, until he showed up. Both Ethan and Marco were hid

with something close to disappointment. "I thought yo

found strength. "But I have something you don't: p

you can win against the Order? This is a legacy, Ava-a dynasty

y smiled. "

ies moved in, closing off every exit, surrounding him. For the first time, her father looked

e told me I didn't know you. But I know enough. And I do know o

he was an easy prey for the army they had assembled. The man who had been so powerful-destroyi

tuck with her: "You think you have won, but this is

wasn't over. But she also knew she wasn't alone anymore. They'd torn down a part o

gged her family for so very long were finally lifting, and this time she would f