The city never slept. It hummed with the constant buzz of neon lights, the distant thrum of car engines, and the low growl of the underworld beneath the surface. Alex Cross had learned to navigate its shadows like a ghost, his every step a careful calculation, his every breath a silent promise that he would survive the night.
The rain had started earlier, a soft drizzle that quickly turned into a torrential downpour, soaking the streets and washing away the remnants of the day. The city's streets were slick with water, reflecting the lights of the towering skyscrapers and the occasional passing car. People moved through the streets like ants, heads down, eyes averted, all too used to the constant danger that lurked in every corner. The air smelled of wet asphalt and something more sinister—a mix of gunpowder, desperation, and the faint scent of cheap cologne.
Alex stood under the awning of a rundown building, his broad shoulders hunched against the cold. He lit a cigarette, the ember glowing briefly before he inhaled, the smoke swirling around him in the dim light. His dark eyes scanned the street, never resting for too long on one thing. He'd been here before, in this part of town, and it always felt the same—like the city was breathing down his neck, waiting for him to slip.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the alley behind him, slow and deliberate. Alex didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The scent of expensive perfume reached him first, followed by the click of high heels against the wet pavement. He didn't flinch.
"You're late," he said, his voice rough from the cigarette and the lack of sleep.
A woman stepped into his peripheral vision, her silhouette framed by the flickering light of a nearby streetlamp. She was tall, with dark hair that cascaded in waves down her back. Her tight leather jacket clung to her curves, and her jeans were dark enough to blend into the shadows, but Alex knew better. He'd seen her before.
"Didn't feel like rushing," she replied, her voice smooth and cold. "You've been waiting long?"Alex exhaled a plume of smoke, watching it dissolve into the night air. "Not long enough to care. What do you have for me, Ellie?"
Ellie Vega was trouble. He knew it, she knew it, and yet here they were, once again, working together. Or rather, her using him to get what she wanted, and him tolerating her presence because sometimes, her information was useful. But trust? That was a currency neither of them had.
She stepped closer, her heels clicking sharply on the wet ground. "I've got a lead on Maya Trent."
At the mention of the name, Alex's attention snapped to her fully. Maya Trent. The woman he'd been hired to find. She'd been missing for weeks, and every lead had turned cold. The cartel had her, that much was clear. But where? That was the question that had kept him up at night, grinding his teeth as he searched through the city's darkest corners.
"What do you know?" he asked, his voice low, the cigarette between his fingers forgotten.
Ellie reached into her bag and pulled out a small envelope, handing it to him without a word. Alex took it, his fingers brushing against hers for a moment. He didn't flinch. She had that effect on people—she was dangerous in a way that made you want to keep your distance, yet couldn't help but be drawn to her. But Alex had learned long ago not to be swayed by her charm. He'd seen it all before.He tore open the envelope and pulled out a series of photos. The first was of Maya, her face partially obscured by shadows, but there was no mistaking the woman in the picture. She was younger here, more innocent-looking, but Alex knew better than to believe in appearances. The second photo was a shot of a building—an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. There was a red X marked on the door.
"This is where they're holding her," Ellie said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've got a contact who says the cartel's been using it for their operations. But they're not the only ones interested in Maya."
Alex's brow furrowed as he studied the photos. "Who else?"
Ellie hesitated, her lips curling into a tight smile. "You're not the only one looking for her, Alex. There's someone else—someone more dangerous than the cartel."
"Great," Alex muttered, tossing the photos back into the envelope. "Just what I needed."
Ellie didn't respond. She just stood there, her eyes gleaming in the dim light, watching him closely. Alex could feel the weight of her gaze, like she was trying to read him, to figure out what made him tick. He didn't like it.
"How much?" he asked, slipping the envelope into his jacket pocket.
Ellie shrugged, her smile never fading. "Same as always. Information in exchange for a favor."
"I don't do favors," Alex said, his voice hardening.
"You will," she replied. "You'll need to. If you want Maya Trent, you'll have to play by my rules. Otherwise, she's gone. Forever."
Alex stared at her for a long moment, the rain drenching his coat, the cold biting at his skin. He didn't like being manipulated, but he also didn't have a choice. Maya Trent was his job now, and if Ellie had the answers, he had to follow the trail, even if it led him straight into the lion's den.
"Fine," he said, his jaw clenched. "What's the favor?"
Ellie's smile widened, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "I'll let you know when the time comes. But for now, you've got work to do."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply on the wet pavement. Alex watched her disappear into the night, the weight of the job settling heavily on his shoulders. He took one last drag from his cigarette before flicking it into the street, his mind already racing with the possibilities.
Maya Trent was out there, and he was going to find her—no matter what it took.