Silent veins of power

lhouette stark against the pale light of dawn. Below him, the city slowly stirred to life. The rhythmic hum of traffic and di

e name on the screen read Cyrus Renard. Sliding a finge

e was steady, though his min

ame's Felix Marlowe. Small-time enforcer for a bigger player. H

an Valentini, Amara's father and a powerful

tell you this-he's not acting alone. This

ind out more," Axel sai

omplicated things. The Valentini name carried weight, and any attack on the family rippled far beyond th

el's hand went to the knife strapped to his thigh. The figure wh

vereux. It

marking him as Cyrus's twin. Unlike his brother's composed demeanor, Ca

aking around?" Axel as

d, leaning casually against a rusted vent. "Cyrus

nreadable. "You got anything useful,

ing. "Word on the street is that someone's been asking ab

ze sharpe

nnections, even your time at St. Gabriel's." Caleb crossed his arms, h

. "Of course they're not. W

Makes life intere

ur definition

the situation settling over them. Finally, Caleb straight

d. "If Felix is tied to her father'

es intel with his daughter? From what I hear, t

r credit for," Axel replied. "If

leb said with a smirk. "I'll stic

onding. He was already

ep intruders out. Axel approached on foot, his steps measured and purposeful. The guards

ra," Axel said, his

scar running down his cheek, stepped

eplied, his gaze unwavering. "T

ly, he pulled out a radio and muttered something into it

aid, though his tone wa

t long. Amara emerged from the main entrance, her dark hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She was dre

she said, stopping a

Axel countered, a hint of a

er expression softening.

s targeting Celeste, and it might

"Celeste? Why would

eplied. "I need to know if your father's invol

ine. "You know my father doesn't s

ding out," Axel said. "And I need

eyes searching his face. "Fine. I'll see

," Axel said, his

tugged at her lips. "Be careful, Axel. Whoever's behind thi

t," he said before

fehouse. Caleb was still there, sprawled on the couch w

aleb asked, tossi

, shrugging off his jac

an eyebrow. "

fe," Axel s

you were out. He's got a lead on Felix's empl

dy shifting to the next ste

ved through the shadows, their footsteps muffled against the damp concrete. Cyrus was waiting

owed up," Cyrus sa

santries," Axel said

ian Kane. Mid-level player trying to make a name for himself. He's got connectio

ning the details Cyrus had ga

side," Cyrus said. "But he won't be there long.

waste," Axel said, tucking

ent palpable. "Looks like

teps purposeful and their resolve unshakable. The ga