LOGIN“Yes,” Jeremy answered, “Roy did.”I nodded, “Do as usual.”Jeremy nodded and turned to call Roy for further instructions. Meanwhile, I entered the backseat and pulled out my phone to call My Wife. As I glanced at the screen, I frowned. There was no network here.Did Nikos seriously put jammers here? I sighed. Looking at Jeremy in gestured to him to drive, and leaned back in my seat.It was already morning outside. My thoughts were filled with Valerie and Reign. I wonder how they were? And what were they doing? Although I had let Eliot handle the things back at home, I still couldn’t help but worry. I had to end the threat as soon as possible and go back to my family.Half an hour later, we arrived at our hotel. The first thing I did after reaching my suite was to video call Valerie.The bell had only rung for barely two seconds before she picked it up, and her exhausted face came into my view. What was wrong with her? I immediately straightened my back. This was not how I left her be
I watched Adonis as he stepped out of the ring. The crowd was still loud and wild, but my focus stayed on the fighter, more… on the system behind them. I spoke calmly a second later, “He is efficient.”Nikos smirked, but I could see he wanted to say more, “Only efficient?”“He didn’t waste time doing unnecessary moves just for show,” I added, “That makes him valuable.”He looked satisfied, “Exactly. Strength is common. Control is rare.”Jeremy shifted a little behind me. He kept his alert position as he watched ahead. Even if I wasn’t looking at him, I knew he had memorised the face of each man present here, along with their weapons and exits he could see.Nikos noticed Jeremy’s alert eyes, “You don’t trust easily.”“I don’t survive otherwise,” I replied calmly.He laughed lightly but nodded, “Fair enough.”For a moment, the air went still around us, even though the noise in the room rose. We watched next fighters began circling each other. Then Nikos leaned closer, “What really broug
The space inside was wide and as big as the casino floor, but far more chaotic. At the centre were white lights hung above a large fighting ring, surrounded by metal barricades.The crowd stood shoulder to shoulder, shouting, betting, and drinking. Some people sat on chairs, some people leaned against the railing, while other people waved cash in the air like it meant nothing.In the ring, two men were present. They didn’t look like they had rules or a referee present as they fought. Pure raw violence could be seen.I heard the crack even against the noise as the first person landed the punch hard on the second person.I didn’t react. I simply watched. Beside me, the young man grinned, clearly either enjoying my reaction or perhaps seeing I lacked reaction. He lightly spread his arms as he said casually, “Welcome to the real heart of this place.”I glanced at him, “Impressive.” I wasn’t impressed by the violence, but by how lawless they were. They had rules, but of their own.He smile
Several people paused their games for a brief moment. Some of the gamblers gasped nervously and continued playing their games, pretending they hadn’t seen the man. Others lowered their head and gulped their drinks.The young man slowly walked across the room, “Alright. You all know the rules,” He glanced calmly around the room, twisting the gold chain around his hand.People paused in their moment, but no one dared to reply.A second later, one of the dealers stood up quietly and placed several chips into his leather bag without any argument. A few gamblers followed right after. Others looked around and, with a deep sigh, paid the amount. It was their protection money.Even if they lost a certain percentage, they clearly won more than that.I leaned against the bar calmly and took a sip of my drink. The young man moved from table to table, collecting money with a slow but smug smile. His eyes had the sharpness that didn’t match his careless look. Soon, he reached the table I had been
Raven Blackwood’s POV:The restaurant owner didn’t come to the dock. My men tried to find him at his address or possible places, but it was like he vanished, or someone made him vanish.So here I was at the underground casino at night, which was hidden beneath an old warehouse near the harbor. From the outside, the building looked abandoned with broken windows and a rusted metal door. Anyone passing by would think it had been empty for years now. But the moment you step inside, everything changes.A narrow staircase was connected to the underground floor. Loud music was getting clearer with every step I took. The smell of alcohol, cigarettes and perfume filled my senses as I glanced around the view in front of my eyes. Bright neon lights flashed across the room. Several large tables were spread across the hall. Some people were playing cards, and some were drinking and laughing loudly. A couple of men were standing around the bar, discussing business in soft murmurs.Overall, the plac
I shook my head, “No. I don’t believe everyone would be in such an area for too long, especially Raven.”Eliot didn’t answer immediately. His jaw tightened slightly in unease. Something was wrong. “Call Jeremy again,” I said some minutes later.Eliot nodded and dialed his number immediately. He placed the phone on speaker so I could hear the bell ringing too. The bell rang for once… twice… until it disconnected on its own.My chest tightened. It was still not getting received. I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Raven’s number again. My gaze didn’t wander from the screen as I watched the call trying to get through.For a second, I felt hopeful, maybe he would pick up his damn phone, but I only heard the automatic message, ‘The number you’re trying to reach is currently unavailable.’I closed my eyes and whispered to myself, ‘Try again. It might connect.’So, I dialed his number one more time and heard the same unavailable message again. I clenched my fingers around the phone.Eliot
Raven Blackwood’s Pov:One hour later…“Valerie!!” I was in disbelief as I saw the woman who was supposed to be downstairs, enjoying the party with the fruit juice I sent her a while ago. But no, she was here, exactly where she was not supposed to be. Fucking tied to a chair, dressed in messy cloth
Valerie Thorne’s POV:He looked at me, but for how long? I didn’t know that.I stared at the moon for an endless time before my eyes felt heavy and I fell asleep. In my sleep, I felt his touch, his strong but gentle grip, around my body. Then, after some time, my body touched something warm, but I
Raven Blackwood’s POV:Something was wrong with her.The way she stood up and left for her room so suddenly made me feel uneasy. I followed her silently. But she was in so much rush that she didn’t notice me behind her. I stood against her room door, not sure whether to enter or not.Time passed sl
Valerie Thorne’s POV:Did he just say he loves me? Or was I hallucinating?!My brain crashed, and my whole body felt like it was on fire. Raven? And he said he loves me? If he said it in my dreams or perhaps another world? I would have believed him?But the Raven Blackwood, who was in front of me…







