Elena's hands were still trembling as she stared at the folder on the table, its contents spilling out like secrets begging to be unleashed. The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of the townhouse's air conditioning the only sound breaking the tense silence.
Lucian stood across from her, his tall frame leaning casually against the wall, though his sharp eyes betrayed his vigilance. He hadn't said a word since they returned, and the weight of unspoken truths hung heavily between them.
"This is insane," Elena finally said, her voice cutting through the quiet. "You're telling me Victor Kade is smuggling weapons, drugs, and who knows what else—and no one has stopped him?"
Lucian's lips curved into a faint smirk, though it lacked humor. "Welcome to the real world, Elena. The rules don't apply to men like Kade. He buys his way out of trouble and silences anyone who stands in his path."
Elena pushed the folder away, frustration bubbling to the surface. "And what makes you think we can stop him? We're two people against an empire."
"We're not just two people," Lucian said, his tone calm but firm. "We're two people with leverage."
He pulled one of the photos from the folder and held it up. It showed a shipping container being loaded onto a truck, a faint logo barely visible on the side.
"This," Lucian continued, "is one of Kade's main operations. If we hit it, we cripple his supply chain. He won't be able to ignore us."
Elena stared at the photo, her journalist instincts kicking in. "Where is this?"
"The east-side port," Lucian replied. "It's heavily guarded, but I have a contact who can get us in."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "A contact? And we're just supposed to trust them?"
Lucian's smirk returned, this time with a hint of amusement. "Trust is a luxury we can't afford right now. But Natalia is reliable. She's helped me before."
Elena leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. "So, what's the plan? We sneak in, grab evidence, and hope we don't get caught?"
"Something like that," Lucian said, his gaze steady. "But we'll need to move quickly. Kade will retaliate the moment he realizes we're onto him."
Elena's stomach churned at the thought. She glanced at the folder again, the weight of the decision pressing down on her.
"What about Mia?" she asked, her voice softening. "I can't leave her unprotected."
Lucian's expression softened slightly. "She'll stay here. This place is secure, and Natalia will keep an eye on her."
Elena frowned. "You're awfully confident in this Natalia person."
"She's earned it," Lucian said simply.
Before Elena could respond, Mia's voice called out from the hallway.
"Elena?"
Elena turned to see her sister standing in the doorway, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
"Hey," Elena said, rising from her chair. "What's wrong?"
Mia hesitated, her eyes flicking between Elena and Lucian. "I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about… them."
Elena crossed the room and pulled Mia into a hug. "You're safe here," she said firmly. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Mia nodded against her shoulder, but her trembling hands betrayed her fear.
Lucian watched them silently, his expression unreadable. When Elena finally pulled away, she turned to him with a determined look.
"If we're doing this, we do it my way," she said.
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Your way?"
"Yes," Elena snapped. "I'm not just going to follow you blindly into danger. We need a plan—one that doesn't involve unnecessary risks."
Lucian studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Your way."
Elena wasn't sure if she believed him, but for now, it was enough.
---
Later that night, as Elena sat on the balcony overlooking the city, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the edge of something monumental. The city lights glittered like stars, masking the darkness that lurked beneath.
Lucian stepped out onto the balcony, his presence commanding even in the quiet.
"You should rest," he said, leaning against the railing.
Elena scoffed. "Rest? After everything that's happened?"
Lucian's gaze softened, though his tone remained steady. "You'll need your strength for what's coming."
Elena turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "Why are you doing this, Lucian? Why do you care what happens to me and Mia?"
For a moment, he didn't answer. Then, his voice came, low and raw. "Because I know what it's like to lose someone. To feel powerless. And I won't let that happen to you."
Elena's breath caught in her throat. She wanted to push him away, to remind herself that he was dangerous and untrustworthy. But something in his eyes made her pause.
"Lucian…" she began, but the words died on her lips.
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Get some rest, Elena. Tomorrow, we fight back."
And with that, he turned and walked back inside, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the weight of what was to come.
---