Sweet Vengeances -
Chapter 93: A Web of Intrigue
Chapter 93: Chapter 93: A Web of Intrigue
At Dock 17, the smell of ocean and explosives still permeated the air. The struggle was far from finished, but Moreau was dead. With their weapons still heated from the battle, Ethan and Lily stood side by side. The man in the fitted suit across from them grinned, his assurance disconcerting.
Ethan was aware of that smile. A man who believed he had already won owned it.
"Who are you in the hell?" Lily pointed her revolver at his chest and commanded.
With false submission, the guy raised his hands and laughed. "Now, there’s no reason to be hostile. You can call me Damien Cross. Even though you might not be familiar with me, I can guarantee you that Ethan is.
Ethan gripped his rifle more tightly. "You ought to be dead."
Damien grinned broadly. "Astonishment."
Lily’s piercing eyes strayed to Ethan. "Are you familiar with him?"
With a deep sigh, Ethan kept his eyes fixed on Damien. "We were coworkers once. Long ago.
"Collaborate?" Suspicion ran through Lily’s voice.
Damien smiled. "Oh, you haven’t heard from him? I used to be in business with Ethan. Before he becomes so self-righteous and honorable.
Ethan’s face grew serious. "That was before I discovered your true nature as a man."
Damien let out a loud sigh. It’s a great shame. Together, we could have achieved so much. Nevertheless, here we are. Me entering the empire of Moreau. You are blocking my path.
Over the trigger, Lily’s finger lingered. "Did you not mastermind this? You took Moreau away from us so you could take his place.
Damien mockingly clapped her slowly. "Wise girl. Yes, Moreau was a dinosaur. Too greedy, too irresponsible. I needed someone to move things ahead quickly, even though I knew he would be his own demise. He returned his attention to Ethan. "You fulfilled my request exactly."
Ethan tightened his jaw. "You’re more stupid than Moreau ever was if you think I’m going to give you the reins."
Damien cocked his head, seeming to be interested. "How are you going to stop me? Even if you and your beautiful partner are strong, I have allies, resources, and an empire that is just waiting to be rebuilt. Ethan, you? You are resentful and own a pistol.
Lily grinned. "That’s all it takes sometimes."
Damien laughed, obviously amused. "Miss Rose, I do like your fire. Unfortunately, we are on opposing sides.
She retorted, "I wouldn’t say opposite sides." "It seems like I have you in my sights."
Damien shook his head and laughed deeply. "Enchanting. However, you’ll discover that I’m not as easily frightened as Moreau. He faced Ethan once again. "Calloway, you’ve always been dependable. Although you pretend not to play the game, you actually do. And you’re playing it just the way I anticipated right now.
Ethan stepped closer slowly, his gaze fixed on Damien’s. "Damien, do you think you know me?" He spoke in a low, menacing voice. "Then you ought to be aware that I never lose."
The first time Damien’s smile wavered.
He retreated into the darkness after saying, "Let’s see about that." He vanished in a matter of seconds.
The Repercussions
When Damien was gone, Lily looked at Ethan. "What on earth was that?"
Ethan’s stance showed his displeasure as he ran a hand through his hair. "Damien poses a greater threat than Moreau did. He is calculating and intelligent. He just declared war, too.
Lily let out a breath. "Then we strike him initially."
Ethan gave a headshake. "We cannot enter blindly. Unlike Moreau, who is careless, Damien is constantly three steps ahead. We will be stepping right into his trap if we make a mistake.
Lily folded her arms. "So, what’s the strategy?"
Ethan looked around at the dead on the dock. "We tidy this up first. We then begin to collect intelligence. Damien will act quickly to replace Moreau if he wishes to do so. Before he creates them, we must ascertain what they are.
Lily gave a nod. "I’ll get to work digging."
With a solemn expression, Ethan grabbed her wrist. "Lily, use caution. Damien is not a fair player.
She smiled at him, a little determinedly. "I don’t either."
Breaking Down the Internet
Lily learned more about Damien Cross than she could have ever imagined by the next morning. She sifted through papers and files while seated in Ethan’s penthouse, putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
She added, looking at her laptop’s screen, "Damien vanished years ago." "He disappeared from the scene after you left him. No sightings, no arrests—just gone.
Ethan folded his arms and leaned against the desk. Due to the fact that he was rebuilding. He wanted to dominate the board and wasn’t satisfied with merely being a player.
Lily drummed the desk with her fingers. "And he believes he can now that Moreau is out of the way."
Ethan gave a nod. He is already taking action. We must be prepared.
The screen caused Lily’s eyes to narrow. "I believe I have discovered something. Damien is growing Moreau’s empire, not only assuming control of it. He has appointments with prominent crooks across the city. He is putting himself in an impenetrable position.
Ethan let out a loud sigh. "Then, we must take action before he consolidates his authority."
Lily glanced at him. "How?"
Ethan’s face became stern. "By stopping him at his knees."
A Surprise Betrayal
Ethan’s phone buzzed as they were starting to make plans. He read the message on the screen as he picked it up.
Time is running out for you. Come to the old club with me. By themselves.
No signature.
Over his shoulder, Lily looked. "Do you believe it?"
Ethan responded bluntly, "No." "But I have no other option."
She said, "I’m coming with you," right away.
Ethan gave a headshake. "No. I can’t risk you falling into a trap if this is one.
Lily’s jaw tightened. If it’s not a trap, what then? If it’s someone with true information?"
"Then I’ll take care of it." His voice was forceful as he met her gaze. "Believe me."
Lily looked at him for a long time, then nodded. "All right. However, I will be nearby.
Ethan grinned. "I couldn’t have asked for less."
The Gathering
The once-vibrant walls of the old club were now collapsing with rot, and it was deserted. Ethan carefully entered, his senses keen. A lone light burned dimly overhead, creating unsettling shadows in the lonely room.
A lady appeared out of the shadows.
Ethan gasped for air.
"Hello, Ethan," she replied, a hint of something unintelligible in her voice.
With her heart racing, Lily listened through her earpiece while concealed outdoors.
She muttered, "Who is she?"
Ethan’s voice was controlled and tight.
"A specter from my history."
Suddenly, the web of intrigue grew tighter around them, drawing them further into a game that was much riskier than they had anticipated.
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