Blair woke to the familiar scent of black coffee and the hum of Jax typing furiously at his desk. Morning light filtered through the blinds of the safehouse, casting long shadows across the minimalist space. Blair stretched, feeling the weight of her double life settle back on her shoulders. Today was the day she would meet Vincent Moretti in person.
She had faced boardrooms full of skeptical investors, government officials scrutinizing her tech empire, and competitors desperate to see her fail. None of them unnerved her. But Moretti? He was in a league of his own. A man who wielded power not just in public but in the shadows.
She couldn't afford to slip.
"Breakfast of champions," Jax said, tossing her a granola bar without looking up.
Blair caught it midair. "Thanks. Anything new on Moretti?"
Jax turned his laptop screen toward her. "Pulled some data from a few encrypted files last night. Looks like Moretti's got ties to an international money-laundering scheme. He's also been moving assets around like crazy—offshore accounts, shell companies, the works."
Blair leaned in, studying the data. "Any connections to the Syndicate?"
"Not yet," Jax admitted, scratching his beard. "But I'll find something. The guy's too dirty to be clean."
Blair nodded, her mind already spinning with strategies. "Keep digging. I'll handle the face-to-face."
Jax smirked. "You know, most people would be terrified of meeting a guy like Moretti. You? You're practically excited."
Blair's lips curled into a faint smile. "Excited isn't the word. Focused is."
Blair met Vincent Moretti at an exclusive, members-only restaurant in the heart of the city. The kind of place where deals worth millions—or in Vincent's case, lives—were brokered over overpriced wine and artisanal dishes.
Vincent was already seated when Blair arrived, a glass of red wine in hand. He looked every bit the polished businessman: a tailored suit, salt-and-pepper hair, and a smile that was both charming and predatory.
"Ms. Whales," he said, standing to greet her. "Punctual. I like that."
Blair shook his hand, her own smile cool and professional. "Time is money, Mr. Moretti."
They exchanged pleasantries, ordered their meals, and settled into what seemed like a standard business meeting. But Blair knew better. Beneath the polished surface, this was a game of masks—a battle of wits where one misstep could be fatal.
As they discussed potential collaborations, Blair subtly steered the conversation toward Moretti's other ventures. She mentioned philanthropy, international markets, and tech investment trends, carefully watching his reactions.
"You've built quite an empire," she said, swirling her glass of water. "But I'm curious—what drives you? Money? Influence?"
Vincent chuckled, a low, calculated sound. "Legacy," he said simply. "Everything I do is for the future. For my family."
Blair's pulse quickened at the mention of family. "Your son must be proud," she said casually, testing the waters.
Vincent's expression softened slightly. "Leo? He's a good kid. Smart. Ambitious. He's still figuring out his path, but I have no doubt he'll make his mark."
Blair filed the information away. Leo was clearly important to Vincent—a potential leverage point.
The lunch ended with Vincent promising to review WyldTech's proposals and "keep in touch." Blair knew it was a polite dismissal, but it was enough. She had planted the seed.
As she exited the restaurant, the last person she expected to see was Leo Moretti.
He was leaning against a sleek black car, his green eyes lighting up when he spotted her. "Blair Whales," he said, pushing off the car. "We meet again."
Blair tilted her head, masking her surprise. "Do you always lurk outside restaurants, or is this a special occasion?"
Leo grinned. "I had lunch nearby. Saw you with my father and figured I'd say hello."
"How considerate," Blair said dryly.
Leo laughed, clearly enjoying her sarcasm. "So, what's WyldTech up to these days? World domination?"
"Something like that," Blair said, brushing past him.
But Leo wasn't so easily dismissed. He fell into step beside her, his curiosity evident. "You're an interesting one, Blair. People like you don't usually mix with people like my father."
Blair stopped, turning to face him. "And what kind of people is your father, exactly?"
Leo's smile faltered for a split second—just enough for Blair to catch it.
"Powerful," he said finally. "Like you. But different."
Blair studied him, her instincts tingling. Was Leo aware of his father's criminal ties? Or was he just a pawn in the game?
Before she could press further, Leo's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "Duty calls. But don't be a stranger, Blair. Something tells me our paths are going to cross a lot."
As he walked away, Blair felt a strange mix of irritation and intrigue. Leo was a distraction, but he was also a puzzle—one she couldn't afford to ignore.
That evening, Blair met Jax at a secluded rooftop bar, their usual spot for debriefing.
"How'd it go?" Jax asked, sliding her a drink.
"Productive," Blair said, recounting her conversation with Vincent. "He's cautious, but he's curious. I think I can reel him in."
Jax nodded, but his expression was tense. "I've been digging more into his network. There's a lot of encrypted chatter about you—WyldTech, your background, even your movements. Someone's watching you, Blair."
Blair frowned. "The Syndicate?"
"Probably. Whoever it is, they're good. Better than good."
Blair's grip tightened on her glass. She had expected the Syndicate to notice her eventually, but not this soon.
"Let them watch," she said, her voice cold. "They'll see exactly what I want them to see."
Jax hesitated, then leaned closer. "Just promise me one thing, Blair. Don't let this thing with Leo mess up the mission."
Blair raised an eyebrow. "Leo's irrelevant."
Jax snorted. "Sure he is. That's why you're still thinking about him."
Blair opened her mouth to retort, but she couldn't deny the truth. Leo was under her skin in a way she couldn't explain—and that made him dangerous.
As the night deepened, Blair stared out at the city lights, her mind racing. The pieces were falling into place, but the game was far from over.
She had Vincent's attention, but the Syndicate was watching her. And Leo? He was a wildcard she couldn't afford to ignore.
Blair's phone buzzed with a message. It was from an unknown number.
"We know who you are. Walk away while you still can."
Blair's jaw tightened. There was no turning back now.