All Chapters of The Perfect Lie : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Chapter 42Lena rested against the window, gazing out into the black street below. Rain pounded against the glass, a soothing but insistent rhythm. Tension hung in the safe house. No one spoke.Michael slept on the couch, exhaustion and pain finally prevailing. His breathing was rough but regular. Evelyn had tended him as best she could.Noah leaned against the wall, checking his weapon. Damien sat on the table, spinning a knife in his fingers.They were waiting.Waiting for Mercer to make the next move.Waiting for the next attack.Waiting was a mistake.Lena turned. "We strike first."Noah glanced up. "We don't even know where he is.""We find him," Lena said, grabbing her gun. "We put an end to this."Damien smiled. "Finally, something exciting."Evelyn sighed. "We need a plan.""I have one," Lena replied. "We use ourselves as bait."It was dangerous. Too dangerous. But Mercer had to think he was in charge.Lena would ensure he thought so.They spread disinformation—rumors that Mic

Chapter 44 – The Price of VictoryThe rain had ceased, but the air was thick with smoke and the stench of blood. The warehouse was silent now, save for the wail of sirens in the distance.Lena stood over Mercer, her hands still trembling. He was bound, his smirk wiped away. For the first time, he looked. Defeated.But victory wasn't what she'd thought it would be.Noah and Damien stood watch, guns drawn, their eyes fixed on Mercer as if waiting for him to try one final trick.Evelyn had completed releasing Carter, Elise, and Rowan. Carter grimaced, bracing his hand against his ribs. Elise wiped blood from Rowan's face, her hands shaking.Michael entered, limping slightly, his face white with his wounds. "Is it over?"Lena nodded. "It's over."But glancing around, she knew it wasn't over. Not yet.The sirens were closer. They had to decide—stay and confront the authorities or vacate before the police arrived.Lena gazed at Noah. "We can't be here when they arrive."Noah hesitated. "And

Chapter 46Lena sat in the darkened room, her fingers drumming against the table. Stale coffee and gun oil scented the air. Vincent's words pressed upon her. Take control or someone worse will.She knew he was right. The underworld didn't wait on indecision. It filled openings with monsters.Michael entered, slamming a file in front of her. "We have names."Lena opened it. There were photos, reports, and handwritten notes. Three names stood out.1. Victor Alessi – Intelligent, brutal, and unpredictable. He had stayed out of Mercer's way but had a reputation for taking what he wanted.2. Nico Vasquez – Mercer's former partner, now looking to take his empire. He had muscle but no finesse.3. Mara Varela – The wild card. No one knew her full reach, but whispers told of her amassing something powerful.Noah leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "They won't wait long. One of them will make the first move."Lena read over the files again. "Then we make the first move."The warehouse smelle

Chapter 48 The gale blew over the empty dock. The night air was sharp with salt and rust odors. Midnight crept in, and Lena poised on the fringe of the docks, her pulse steady, her mind sharp.Michael and Noah stood there, out of view. Vincent had offered to bring his team, but Lena refused. This meeting needed to appear to be an act of trust—even if it was not.Headlights cut through the darkness. A black SUV pulled up, tires crunching gravel. The back door opened, and Mara Varela stepped out, heels clicking on wooden planks.Behind her, three men stood watch. Armed, but controlled.Lena smirked. “Three guards? I’m flattered.”Mara tilted her head. “You kidnapped my brother. I’m being polite.”Leo was still in their custody, tied to a chair in a warehouse across the city. He was unharmed—for now.Mara took a slow step forward. “Let’s talk.”Lena nodded. “Let’s.”They faced each other under the glow of a flickering streetlight.Mara crossed her arms. "You've made your point. But if y

Chapter 50 The night was cold, the air thick with the promise of violence. Lena stood in the alley behind an abandoned factory, shrouded in the darkness. Her breath came evenly, her hands loose at her sides, but inside she was a storm.Leo had taken the bait. All they had to do now was track him.Michael crouched beside her, his eyes scouring the street. "He's not slowing down."Lena nodded. "He's scared. He thinks he was lucky to escape."Noah adjusted the earpiece in his ear. "Or he knows it's a trap and is attempting to lead us into one."Lena's lips curled into a cold smile. "Either way, we win."Across the street, Leo ducked into a black sedan that had been waiting for him. The car pulled away, disappearing into the city.Michael tapped his radio. “We follow from a distance. No risks.”Lena exhaled, watching the taillights fade. Romano, I’m coming for you.Their own car slid into traffic, smooth and silent. Michael drove, his focus sharp. Noah kept his eyes on the tracker they h