A Trap in the Dark

The moment the gunshot echoed through the warehouse, Selene's mind went razor-sharp. The air was thick with tension, the scent of rust and old metal mixing with the sharp tang of gunpowder. Aurora sucked in a sharp breath beside her, eyes wide as she stared at the bullet hole in the metal beam inches from where she stood. Axel's fingers flexed over the gun he had drawn from his jacket. His green eyes flickered toward Selene, silent but alert. And then countless footsteps. Slow, measured steps echoed against the concrete floor, coming from the shadows beyond the broken machinery. Selene didn't move. She was waiting. Calculating. Then the voice returned, smooth and laced with amusement. "Selene Laurent. I expected better from you." Selene's grip tightened. She recognized that voice. It was low, rich, and carried a mocking edge. Then, from the darkness, a man stepped forward. Tall, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his dark hair neatly combed back. His presence carried weight, a quiet authority that demanded attention. Victor Sinclair. Aurora's father. Aurora's breath hitched beside Selene. Selene didn't blink. She simply tilted her head slightly, her smirk slow and cold. "Victor. It's been a while." Victor's lips curled slightly. "Not long enough, I imagine." Axel muttered under his breath, shifting slightly so he stood at Selene's side. His gun wasn't raised, but his posture was ready. Selene exhaled softly, her tone unbothered. "I don't recall inviting you to this meeting." Victor chuckled. "No. But you've been stepping into matters that don't concern you, Selene." His gaze flickered toward Aurora. "And dragging my daughter along with you." Aurora straightened, her hands clenched into fists. "You lost the right to call me your daughter a long time ago." Victor sighed, as if disappointed. "Still so dramatic." Selene's voice was smooth. "You tried to have her killed." Victor's gaze returned to her. "I didn't say that." Selene's smirk deepened. "You didn't have to." Victor sighed again, as if bored. "Selene, you and I are both business people. You know how this works. Aurora made a mistake-one I cannot allow her to continue making." Selene's fingers twitched slightly at her side. "And what mistake would that be?" Victor's eyes darkened. "Choosing you." Aurora tensed beside her, but Selene remained still. She had been waiting for this moment. Victor took another slow step forward. "You think you're untouchable but you're not and if you don't step away from my affairs, I will make sure you regret it." Selene's smirk didn't falter. "I don't respond well to threats." Victor's expression remained unreadable. "That's what I like about you but it's also what will be your downfall." Then a shift in the shadows. Selene's muscles tensed instantly. She saw it a second before it happened, the glint of a weapon. A movement too fast to be casual. Then, a gunfire. Axel moved first, shoving Selene hard to the side as a bullet tore through the air. Aurora gasped, stumbling backward as the sound of gunfire rang through the warehouse. Selene hit the ground hard, rolling behind a stack of wooden crates, she reached for her own gun, heart pounding but her focus razor-sharp. Axel fired back, the muzzle flash lighting up the darkness for half a second, a shadow moved-one of Victor's men. Selene didn't hesitate. She lifted her gun, aiming for the second attacker emerging from the left. Two shots. Precise. The man dropped. Aurora pressed herself against a pillar, her breathing fast. "Selene!" Selene's eyes flickered toward her, checking for injuries. Clear. Victor remained calm, standing in the open as if bullets weren't flying around him. He smiled slightly. "Now, now. This is unnecessary." Selene's grip tightened around her gun. "You started it." Victor sighed. "I don't have time for games." With a flick of his wrist, his men stopped shooting. Silence, no sound of gun shot. Selene didn't lower her weapon. Victor smiled. "You can't protect her, Selene." Aurora's fists clenched. "I don't need protection." Victor barely spared her a glance. "Of course you do and since you refuse to listen, I'll have to ensure you do." Selene's voice was cold. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Victor's smirk returned. "By reminding you that you're not as in control as you think." Then the warehouse lights flickered. Selene's stomach dropped. She turned sharply just as the sound of multiple vehicles screeched to a stop outside. Aurora stiffened. "What..." Axel swore under his breath. "He brought backup." Selene's mind worked quickly. They were outnumbered. Victor exhaled, almost lazily. "You should have walked away, Selene." Selene's smirk returned. "You should have known I never do." Victor chuckled. "A shame." Then, the doors to the warehouse burst open. Armed men flooded in. Aurora gasped, Axel lifted his gun again, but Selene knew they were cornered. Victor turned, walking toward the exit without a care. "Kill them." Then he was gone. The armed men raised their guns. Selene's heart remained steady. She turned toward Aurora and Axel. "We need to move. Now." Aurora's breath was shaky. "Selene" Selene's grip on her gun tightened. "Run." Then the gunfire started again.