All Chapters of CLAIMED IN THE DARK : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

 Eli stood frozen in the control tower, rain hammering against the glass windows like fists trying to break in. The single room felt too small, too cold. Julian sat in the chair across from him, still clutching his bleeding hand, blood dripping onto the dirty floor. But Eli wasn’t looking at Julian anymore. His eyes were glued to the large monitor on the wall that showed the live feed from the yacht. Cove was on the upper deck. Rain poured down on him, soaking his black tactical jacket. Blood ran from his injured shoulder, mixing with the water. Nikolai Volkov stood a few feet away, gun raised, barrel pointed directly at Cove’s chest. The Russian boss’s face was twisted in a cruel smile. Lightning flashed across the sky, lighting up the entire scene for a split second two dangerous men facing each other in the storm. “No…” Eli whispered. His heart slammed against his ribs. The platinum collar

 The massive shipping container crashed into the yacht’s upper deck with a deafening roar. Metal screeched against metal. Wood splintered. The entire boat rocked violently in the churning water. Eli watched from the control tower window, rain streaming down the glass, his heart in his throat. Nikolai Volkov lost his balance on the wet deck and tumbled over the railing, disappearing into the dark, freezing river below. Eli’s hands were still on the crane controls. His breathing came fast. The platinum collar around his neck felt tight. He had done it. He had stopped the yacht. But the fight wasn’t over. Down on the yacht, Cove had been thrown to the deck by the impact. Pain exploded in his injured shoulder as he hit the wet wood. Rain poured down on him, mixing with the blood from his wound. He groaned, pushing himself up with his good arm. His vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself to focus.

 Eli stood in front of the dressing table, still wrapped in a soft towel from the bath. His body felt clean but tired, the warm water having washed away layers of dirt, blood, and exhaustion from the long night. The platinum collar around his neck caught the soft bedroom light, gleaming quietly. He reached out and picked up the prominent black velvet box that sat on the table. It felt heavy in his hands. The new crest engraved on the lid a stylized V intertwined with an R made his breath catch. Cove stepped up behind him, freshly changed into clean black clothes. His injured shoulder was freshly bandaged, but he moved with quiet strength. He placed his hands gently on Eli’s waist, looking at their reflections in the mirror. “You found it,” Cove said softly. His voice was warm, a little nervous in a way Eli had rarely heard. Eli turned the box slowly in his hands. “What is this? It looks important. The crest…

Cove’s face hardened the moment Lena spoke. He held the phone tight against his ear, his good arm still wrapped around Eli. The bedroom felt suddenly colder, the warm glow from the lamps doing nothing to chase away the new shadow that had fallen over them.“Marco escaped,” Lena repeated on the line, her voice tight with frustration. “One of the guards was compromised. We found him unconscious in the cell. Marco is in the wind. He took a car from the garage and disappeared before we could lock down the exits.”Cove cursed under his breath. “How the hell did this happen? We had him secured. Zip-tied. Guards posted.”Lena sighed. “He had help. Someone inside. We’re checking the footage now, but it’s bad, Cove. He’s angry. He’s desperate. And he knows too much about our operations.”Eli pulled back from Cove’s chest, his eyes wide with worry. The platinum collar around his neck suddenly felt heavier. The silver signet ring on his finger caught the light as he reached up to touch Cove’s ar

 The meeting room fell into a heavy silence after Eli’s calm demonstration. The printed files from Don Moretti’s secret dealings with the FBI lay scattered across the long black table like evidence at a trial. The older bosses stared at the papers, then at Eli, their faces a mix of shock, anger, and something new respect. The air felt thick with cigarette smoke and the faint smell of whiskey. No one moved. No one spoke for almost a full minute. Madame Chen was the first to break the quiet. She leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes studying Eli with new interest. “The boy has claws. I didn’t expect that. Well played, young Reyes. Or should I say Voss now?” Eli stood tall beside Cove, his hand resting lightly on the back of Cove’s chair. The platinum collar around his neck caught the low light from the overhead lamps. His voice stayed calm and steady. “You can call me whatever you want.