The Trap Closes
The cold night air carried the weight of tension as Selene stood on the rooftop of a high-rise, her eyes fixed on the distant skyline.
The city pulsed beneath her, glowing in the darkness, oblivious to the storm brewing above.
She held her phone tight, the recent call still replaying in her mind. The voice had been calm, mocking, confident.
Whoever they were, they believed they had already won.
Selene smirked. That was their first mistake.
Aurora stood a few steps behind her, arms crossed tightly over her chest. 'I don't like this."
Selene didn't turn. 'You're not supposed to."
Aurora exhaled. 'You're gambling everything."
Selene's voice was steady. 'No. I'm taking back control."
Damian leaned against a steel beam, watching the two of them with mild amusement. 'So, what's the plan, fearless leader?"
Selene finally turned, her sharp gaze sweeping over them. 'Victor has already made the announcement. The news will spread within the next few hours."
Aurora frowned. 'And then?"
Selene's smirk deepened. 'Then they come to collect their victory."
Damian chuckled. 'And when they do?"
Selene's eyes darkened. 'We bury them."
Aurora inhaled sharply, shaking her head. 'Selene…" Selene's gaze softened just slightly as she looked at her. 'Trust me."
Aurora hesitated before exhaling. 'I do. That's what scares me."
Damian stretched his arms. 'Well, if we're setting a trap, we better be ready for the fallout."
Selene nodded. 'We will be." She turned toward the skyline again, her fingers flexing. Let them come.
The next day, the news broke.
It spread like wildfire—Selene Laurent was stepping down.
Articles flooded the media, speculations ran wild, and stockholders panicked. The business world shook at the announcement.
But Selene didn't panic. She was waiting.
Aurora sat in the corner of the penthouse, watching the news unfold on the large screen. She chewed on her bottom lip, eyes narrowed. 'They'll come fast."
Selene smirked. 'That's the idea."
Damian sat on the couch, sipping whiskey. 'So, what's the next move?"
Selene glanced at him. 'We don't move.
Aurora blinked. 'We don't?"
Selene shook her head. 'We wait."
Aurora exhaled. 'I hate waiting."
Selene chuckled. 'Then you're going to hate this next part."
A sharp buzz interrupted them.
Selene turned toward the table where her phone lay. The screen glowed.
Unknown Number.
Aurora tensed. 'Is it them?"
Selene picked up the phone, answering it.
The same distorted voice greeted her. 'It's a strange feeling, isn't it? Losing."
Selene smirked. 'I wouldn't know."
A chuckle. 'And yet, here we are."
Selene's voice was smooth. 'Where's Axel?"
A pause. Then, 'You'll see him soon." Selene's jaw tightened. 'I want proof."
Another chuckle. 'You don't get to make demands, Selene." Selene exhaled. 'Then we have nothing to talk about."
She ended the call.
Aurora let out a breath. 'That's it?" Selene smiled slightly. 'No. That's just the beginning."
Damian sighed, standing up. 'I'll get my people in position." Selene nodded. 'Make sure they're discreet."
Damian smirked. 'Please. I wrote the book on discreet."
Selene turned toward Aurora. 'Stay close to me." Aurora's golden eyes burned with concern. 'I'm not leaving your side."
Selene reached for her hand, squeezing it once before letting go. She had one chance to end this and she wasn't going to fail.
That night, Selene received another call.
The voice was different this time—calmer, sharper. A man's voice.
'Meet me at the docks. Midnight. Come alone."
Selene smirked. 'And if I don't?" A chuckle. 'Then you'll never see Axel again."
Selene's fingers tightened. 'Fine." She ended the call.
Aurora immediately stepped forward. 'You're not going alone." Selene turned to her. 'I have to." Aurora's eyes flashed. 'No, you don't."
Selene exhaled. 'Aurora—"
Aurora grabbed her wrist. 'No. You listen to me this time. You don't have to do this alone." Selene studied her, then sighed. 'Fine. But you stay hidden."
Aurora hesitated before nodding. 'Okay."
Damian stretched. 'Guess I'm crashing the party too." Selene smirked. 'Wouldn't be the same without you."
Midnight.
The docks were silent, the cold air thick with the scent of salt and oil. The water lapped against the wooden beams, the moon casting long shadows over the crates and cargo containers.
Selene walked toward the center of the pier, her movements slow and controlled.
Ahead of her, a man waited. He was tall, dressed in a sleek black suit, his face partially obscured by the shadows.
Axel was on his knees beside him, his hands tied behind his back, his face bruised but his eyes defiant.
Selene's stomach clenched, but her expression remained unreadable.
The man smirked. 'I was wondering if you'd show."
Selene's voice was smooth. 'You wanted me here. Now what?"
The man exhaled, pulling a gun from his pocket and pressing it against Axel's head. 'Now, you make a choice."
Selene's heart slowed. 'And what choice is that?" The man tilted his head. 'You give up everything. Or he dies."
Selene exhaled slowly. 'That's not a choice."
The man smirked. 'No, I suppose it's not."
Selene's fingers twitched.
Aurora was somewhere nearby, hidden in the shadows, watching. Damian was in position, waiting for her signal.
Selene's smirk was slow. 'You should've asked for something realistic." The man chuckled. 'Oh?"
Selene moved. Before he could react, she grabbed the gun and twisted.
The shot missed.
Axel lunged forward, slamming his shoulder into the man's legs.
Selene reached for her own weapon then chaos erupted. Gunfire.
Aurora screamed Selene's name and then everything went black.