FAZER LOGINRachel POV "That's all I can tell you-for now," Mr Vance said softly. "I'd like to respect Damien's past. Maybe one day he will tell you the whole story."My gaze softened as I pulled the blanket tighter around myself, suddenly aware of how cold it felt against my skin. "Thank you for telling me, Mr Vance."He smiled, then reached out and gently ruffled my hair."You're too polite. You can just call me Vance, Rachel."I smiled back, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. I let out a small chuckle, trying to ease myself away from the heaviness of Damien's story. "So... you're kind of like a second father to Damien."Vance hummed, thoughtful-serious."You could say that," he admitted. "Though Damien would never admit that. He was softer on me once. Now he acts like some tough, untouchable man whenever I'm around."I laughed quietly at that before sighing."But he does care about you," I said. "Even if he doesn't show it. You could've left... but you stayed. I'm sure he appreciated that."
Vance POVI remember the first time I stepped into the old Montrel manor.I had spent most of my adult life in uniform-first in the military, then in private security. Discipline, silence, obedience. When the Montrels summoned me, I assumed it would be no different.I was hired to train their men.And their son.The iron gates groaned open, heavy and deliberate, as if warning anyone who entered what kind of house this was.Inside, Mr Montrel waited.He stood straight-backed and unmoving, dark eyes sharp with expectation. Beside him stood his son.Damien Montrel.He was no more than eight. Too thin. Too quiet. His shoulders were stiff, his small hands curled tightly at his sides. A boy dragged from sleep far too early, standing still not because he was disciplined-but because he was afraid to move."You must be Vance," Mr Montrel said.I nodded."This is my son," he continued, resting a heavy hand on the boy's shoulder. Damien flinched.It was subtle. Barely noticeable.But I noticed.
Damien POVMorning came.Birds chirped outside the window, sunlight spilling faintly through the curtains. I rose quietly, careful not to wake Rachel. She slept curled on her side, breathing evenly.I dressed and left the room.I needed answers.By the time I reached my office, Mr Vance and Laurence were already there, standing before my desk."He was hired," Laurence began calmly. "A middleman. No direct allegiance to the Raven.""That doesn't change the damage," I said, taking my seat. "How did he get such detailed info? And more importantly, how did he find Rachel and Leo?"They were hidden. Carefully. They were only shown during the gala for appearances, and even a handful of my men didn't know their faces.Laurence exhaled. "Your past caught up with you."I looked up sharply."He gathered information from multiple sources," Laurence continued. "Biker gangs you dismantled. Debtors you ruined. Guards you dismissed. Civilians affected by Montrel operations-some willingly, some bitte
Damien POVI sat inside the larger limousine, medics seated beside me as they worked on the bullet wound in my shoulder. I focused on my breathing, forcing myself not to drift into unconsciousness.Across from us, Vance sat with the folder open in his hands, reading through it in silence."For once," he said finally, "your recklessness worked in our favour. If they'd gotten this, we'd be dealing with a much bigger problem."I shivered from the lingering cold but didn't answer. I was too tired.As Vance turned the next page, his eyes widened just slightly."Rachel and Leo are here too," he said. "There are photographs."He angled the pages toward me.The images were taken from a distance. Faces blurred. Framed carefully enough to observe without drawing attention.I stared at them."Isn't this the library?" I asked quietly. "The one Rachel volunteers at. The one Leo goes to with her.""It appears so," Vance replied, his tone sharpening. "Mark is in several of these. Someone knows where
Damien POVI stood frozen for half a second, stunned by the sudden fracture in her composure, my fingers tightening around the folder.Before I could fully reach for the gun inside the coat.She moved.Too fast. Too reckless. No hesitation.Instinct took over.I drew and fired, the shot cracking through the sewer as the bullet tore into her shoulder. Blood splattered against the stone wall.It should've stopped her.It didn't.She didn't even flinch.She crashed into me like the injury didn't exist, like pain was something she'd long ago decided didn't apply to her. Her momentum knocked the gun from my grip; it fell across the wet ground and vanished into the darkness.This woman was insane.I barely managed to dodge her next strike. A fist grazed my jaw. A kick slammed into my side, sharp enough to make my injured shoulder scream in protest.I blocked what I could. Took what I couldn't.This fight was erratic and reckless, as if she didn't care if she lived through it.That was the p
Damien POV I followed behind her in silence, watching as she walked past the hotel and toward a nearby park.Confusion crept in. This wasn't a meeting place I expected. I could only hope Vance was tracking my movements.We stopped beneath the open sky.The park was quiet, the night stretching wide above us, stars scattered and flickering faintly overhead. A fountain stood at the centre, water murmuring softly.The woman stopped beside it.Moments later, a young man stepped forward from the shadows. His face was covered, a large folder clutched tightly in his hands.My gaze fixed on it immediately."Jane," the man said, his tone polite. "Good to see you made it. I trust there were no issues with your arrival.""I don't have time for pleasantries," Jane replied coolly. "Did you get what my boss asked for?"My brows furrowed slightly.What thing?What are they really here for?The man smiled. "Yes. Everything. Full information on the Montrel Empire-its structure, identities of family me
Chloe dragged Mark toward the kitchen counter.“I can’t drink. I’m working,” he said for the third time, his voice flat, standing stiffly beside her as he’d rather be anywhere else.Chloe sighed dramatically, dropping his hands. “You’re at a party, not a military base. Why are you standing there lo
Rachel POVThe water was warm, the faint scent of soap curling through the air.I rested back against Damien’s chest, his arms loose around my waist—skin to skin, nothing between us. His breathing was slow and even, eyes closed, as if he’d finally allowed himself to stop guarding the world for once
Damien POV I sat behind my desk, tugging my tie loose and letting it fall to the floor. The day had left a tight, persistent pressure behind my eyes. Mr Vance and Sullivan sat across from me, both watching carefully. “I take it lunch was tense?” Vance asked. “He doesn’t be
Rachel POV I held Leo’s hand as we stepped into the mall, my phone already in my other hand half texting my friends, half aware of the quiet formation behind us. Black suits. Earpieces. Mark walked just close enough to remind me my life isn’t as ordinary anymore. Leo slo







