Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 95: A Risky Ultimatum

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: A Risky Ultimatum

As Ethan and Lily huddled behind a rooftop vent to gather their breath, the faraway sound of Damien’s helicopter continued to reverberate in their ears. Tension permeated the air, and the city lights below appeared uncannily serene in contrast to the mayhem they had just fled.

Breathing irregularly, Lily brushed a trace of dust from her face. "That was too near."

Nodding, Ethan looked up at the skyline to see what they would do next. "Damien was aware of our approach. Thus, Claire deceived us from the beginning.

Lily’s hands tightened. "I ought to have fired when I had the opportunity."

Ethan grounded her by placing a hand on her arm. Claire will be dealt with later. We must give Damien our whole attention right now.

Lily’s mouth clenched. "Ethan, we can’t keep running. He will continue till we are dead.

Ethan was aware of her correctness. Each advance has only resulted in yet another ambush and struggle for life. The game needed to be changed.

His resolve clouded his gaze. "After that, we cease running."

Lily scowled. "What do you mean?"

Dusting himself off, Ethan arose. "On our terms, we take the fight to him."

Lily’s eyebrows went up. "And with an army at his disposal, how do we accomplish that?"

Ethan grinned. "We give him the impression that he has already won."

Placing the Trap

Ethan and Lily planned their next course of action back at the penthouse.

Lily crossed her arms and paced the room. "So, let me clarify something. We manufacture a confrontation, trick Damien into believing he has trapped us, and then—what? I hope he doesn’t underestimate us.

Ethan tapped his fingers carefully as he leaned on the desk. "Make sure, not hope. Control is what Damien feeds on. He will come to end us himself if he believes we are in a terrible situation.

Lily gave him a look. "And you believe he’ll fall for the ruse?"

Ethan grinned icily. "He won’t be able to resist if I make the offer sweet enough."

Lily’s eyes narrowed. "And what precisely are you going to provide?"

Ethan paused before responding. "Me."

Lily stopped. "Pardon me?"

Ethan looked her in the eye. "I’ll give him a deadline. A gathering. No army, no support. Me and him alone.

Lily’s face became stern. "If you think I’m letting you go into that by yourself, you’re crazy."

Ethan let out a breath. "Lily—"

"No," she interrupted, moving in closer. "You’re not giving up anything for this."

Ethan softly touched her face. "I won’t. But I have to convince him that I will. He will come racing if I offer myself up because he wants me dead more than anything else.

Lily looked into his eyes, understanding struggling with frustration. "What comes next?"

Ethan smiled again. "Then we remind him that it’s a mistake to underestimate us."

The Last Word

Early the next morning, Ethan called.

When Damien responded, his tone was one of amusement. "Calloway. I wanted to know when you would get in touch.

Ethan spoke in a steady tone. "Damien, enough games. Do you want me? Let us put an end to this.

A little laugh. Yes, I intend to. But why hurry? I like to see you wriggle.

Despite the risk, Ethan grinned. You’ll adore this, then. One last gathering. No fallback. Me and you alone.

A pause. "You really are desperate, aren’t you?" follows.

Ethan’s tone grew gloomy. "I already know how this will turn out. The only thing to wonder is if you have the courage to confront me by yourself.

Damien’s laugh was tinged with conceit. "You believe I’m a fool? A trap is being laid by you.

Ethan took the taunt to heart. "You’re correct. Does it matter, though? You’ll still show up. So you must murder me yourself.

Quiet.

Then, with a tone of laughter, Damien spoke. "All right. Midnight. The historic shipyard.

Ethan grinned. "See you shortly."

The line died.

The Duel

Midnight. The shipyard was dark, and the air was thick with the smell of iron and salt. Under the faint moonlight, cargo containers stood like motionless sentinels, creating lengthy shadows.

With his pistol holstered, Ethan stood out in the open. Lily squatted next to him, out of sight behind a pile of crates. They had decided that Lily would shield Ethan from the darkness while he took the initiative.

The concrete reverberated with footsteps.

In a well-tailored black suit, Damien stepped out of the shadows with a confident gait. He was surrounded by two of his soldiers.

Ethan grinned. "What a waste of coming by yourself."

Damien laughed. "You didn’t think I would be fair, did you?"

Ethan’s head cocked. "No. However, I hoped you would be dependable.

Damien’s face twitched with curiosity. "And why is that?"

Ethan grinned more broadly. "Because it makes beating you easier."

There was a single shot.

Before Damien could respond, one of his soldiers fell.

He turned, too late, and Damien’s eyes flared. With her revolver aimed at him, Lily emerged from the darkness.

Ethan stepped forward. "Checkmate."

Damien’s jaw tightened. "You believe you’ve triumphed?"

Ethan shrugged. "I believe I’ve given you an option."

Damien scoffed. "And which option is that?"

Ethan said in a cool, deadly tone. "Now leave. Get out of the city. Go away. Or... He made a motion to Lily. "This is where you die."

Damien shook his head and chuckled. "Calloway, you lack the courage to kill me."

Ethan stopped grinning. "Give me a try."

Damien examined him intently, his face inscrutable. Then he let out a slow breath.

"It’s not over," he whispered.

Ethan’s forehead raised. "It is for you."

Damien looked from Ethan to Lily and back again. He sneered one more time before turning and vanishing into the darkness.

With a short exhale, Lily dropped her rifle. "Do you believe that he will truly depart?"

Where Damien was gone, Ethan studied the shadows. "No. However, he will reconsider before betraying us once more.

Lily took a step forward. What happens if he doesn’t?

Ethan’s eyes grew gloomy. "Then we don’t give a choice the next time."

After examining him for a while, she nodded. "Then let’s prepare."

The metropolis loomed ahead of them as they left, brimming with opportunities. However, one thing was for sure—

This was not the end of the conflict.