Collateral Damage Novels & Stories

"People have been hurt, Daniel. Terrorized, manipulated, nearly killed. Ivy's grandmother almost died because of decisions you helped orchestrate." Something flickered behind his eyes, guilt perhaps, or simply irritation at being challenged. "Collateral damage," he said coldly, his earlier moment of vulnerability disappearing entirely. "Necessary sacrifices for a larger operation." "People aren't collateral damage," I said, fury finally cutting through my fear. "They're actual human beings whose lives you've destroyed for profit." Daniel's expression hardened completely, whatever fragile connection had briefly existed between us

“I don’t need to.” Her eyes darkened slightly. “You always were stubborn.” “And you always talked too much.” That wiped the smile off her face for a second. Good. But then— She recovered. And this time… Her expression was different. Not playful. Not fake. Just… cruel. “If you don’t leave,” she said quietly, “this gets out.” My stomach dropped. “You wouldn’t.” “Try me.” I clenched my fists. “That would destroy Damien too.” She shrugged lightly. “Collateral damage.”

"Your father started this. Exposed a man who created legacies. Hospitals. Universities. You all pretend like you're the heroes, but you're just re-telling the story." "You mean your version of the story," she snapped. "Where bombs in family cars are okay?" He raised an eyebrow. "Collateral damage. Mr. Harper said you'd be clever enough to steer clear of it. Guess he was right again." Eliana's fists were clenched at her waist. "You're all the same. Believing we're disposable." "No," he said cautiously, "just obstacles. Ones that had to be cleared. You know how it is with obstacles."

The building was destroyed, reduced to rubble and ash, millions of dollars in assets were frozen, their digital records wiped clean, and three people were dead, innocent people who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, who had shown up for work that morning not knowing it would be their last. "The news is reporting collateral damage," Sarah said, her voice hollow, her face pale as she stared at the screen. "Three civilians. A security guard, a janitor, and a delivery driver. They were caught in the explosion. They didn't have anything to do with the Circle. They were just... there." I stared at the screen, at the images of the wreckage, at the ambulan

" You call that a clean Job? Tyrell, your men killed two people!. Was that what we had agreed on? I made it clear that I didn't want any lives lost and you went there pulling triggers. Jesus Christ!!” "Collateral damage my friend. It's inevitable in this line of work," he said dismissively. As if proud of what he had done. "Point is, your little problem? Handled. He won’t be sniffing around your girl anymore. I made sure of that.” The truth is, This wasn’t what I had bargained for. I just needed Smith scared. And now I have two innocent lives lost. My hands painted red with their blood.

Nicole continued to shout in frustration. "So you thought it was acceptable to take my children from me? To use them in some sick plan so that you could get what you wanted?" "Collateral damage," Nicole smirked and she really was pushing all the wrong buttons now. She was pushing all the buttons she shouldn't have been pressing but she knew she was hitting.

I correct, with bitterness in my tone, "You loved yourself, your desires, your control, all alone." "You destroyed me," I repeat, emphasizing each word, Darrick's face contorts in anguish, his cries mixing with mine, unheard. But my resolve remains unshaken, firm and strong, "No," I say, resolute, "you had your chance, and blew it ." Too much hurt, memories flood back, pain overwhelms, "Too much damage," irreparable, forever to remain. Darrick's cries mix with mine, a symphony of sorrow,

"It wasn't like that; I didn't know they have such detailed information about safe rooms. I only helped them to enter the packhouse; I have no idea how they knew so much about our security! I thought..." "That doesn't change the fact that you deliberately endangered everybody many times! You told me that the previous Alpha saw you and your family as nothing more than collateral damage, but aren't you the same? My family was collateral damage to you; your own neighbors and warriors you were in charge of were collateral damage to you. Tony was only collateral damage f

“It’s damage.” Lance tilted his head. “Maybe.” Then he smirked again. “But damage can be fun.” He stepped around Ragnar, shoulder brushing his on purpose as he passed. Halfway down the corridor, he looked back once. “And when you’re tired of pretending you don’t want it,” he said lightly, “come find me.”

Idris asked, observing her closely. Caelith shook her head slowly, and the motion triggered the final, missing piece of the puzzle. The memory flooded her mind, vivid and violent. ____ “What will happen to the people in the restaurant?” she had asked him, her voice trembling in the pocket dimension. “Collateral damage,” the entity replied smoothly. “They just happened to be in the right place at the wrong time. Depending on how you view it”. “No... no, no, no...” “And you think you can survive this if you tried?” Caelith had whispered, a sudden, fierce rush of adrenaline overriding the gas. “No way.”