Chapter 18 - The Unseen War
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Damon walked out of the cell, the heavy steel door sealing his brother back into the darkness.
His mind was racing, cold fury replacing the shock. Don Valerius was one of the most powerful, untouchable syndicate bosses on the planet. He controlled armies in Europe. He had limitless resources.
And he was coming for Zuri.
Damon returned to the estate just as the sun was setting, casting long, bloody shadows across the manicured lawns.
Naomi was waiting for him in the grand foyer, holding a cup of tea. She saw the look on his face and immediately knew the peace was over.
“What is it?” she asked, setting the cup down.
“Silas wasn't the mastermind,” Damon said quietly, walking over and pulling her into a fierce, protective embrace. “It was Elena’s father. Valerius.”
Naomi gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Her own father?”
“He knows Zuri is alive. He will come for her to erase the final piece of Elena’s legacy.”
“What do we do?” Naomi asked, not giving in to panic. She was a queen now, and queens fought for their children.
“We do not wait for him to strike,” Damon said, his eyes burning with an apocalyptic fire. “We strike first. We burn his European empire to ash before he can set foot in my city.”
Damon walked into his study, throwing the heavy oak doors open.
He didn't sit at his desk. He walked to the hidden panel behind the bookshelf, the same one where the ring had been kept. He punched in a new sequence.
The wall slid open, revealing an armory of heavy, military-grade weapons and encrypted communication servers.
“Vance!” Damon roared into the hallway.
The security chief appeared instantly.
“Mobilize everyone,” Damon commanded. “Call in every favor, every marker, and every hit squad we have on the payroll. The Ashford Syndicate is going to war.”
Naomi stood in the doorway, watching the man she loved prepare to tear the world apart to keep their daughter safe. She didn't flinch.
Suddenly, Zuri skipped into the study, holding her toy rabbit. She pointed a tiny finger toward the massive, bulletproof window overlooking the estate gates.
“Papa Damon,” Zuri said calmly. “He’s here.”
Damon turned toward the window, pulling the slide on his pistol.
Outside, a convoy of twelve black, armored SUVs was pulling up to the front gates. The war hadn't waited for Europe. It had arrived on their doorstep.
Damon looked at Naomi, offering a dark, beautiful smile.
May you like
“Stay behind me,” he whispered.
The real game had just begun.
