The address on Ceil's phone was a place Velena never wanted to see again. She had been there before—15 years ago. The memories were scattered, blurred at the edges, but one thing was clear: this was where the nightmare had started.
Ceil gripped the steering wheel as they sped through the city. His expression was unreadable, but Velena could see the tension in his posture. Lucian sat in the backseat, scanning security feeds on his tablet. This location had been scrubbed from all public records years ago. No activity. No ownership.
Ceil's jaw tightened. "Which means it was never meant to be found."
Velena exhaled slowly. "Then why lead us here?"
Lucian glanced up. "Because it's a trap."
A heavy silence filled the car. Velena already knew that, but they had no choice but to walk into it.
THE RETURN TO VLADIVOSTOK...
The coordinates led them to an abandoned industrial district on the outskirts of the city. Rusted warehouses stood like silent sentinels, long forgotten by the world. The car rolled to a stop in front of the largest one.
Velena's chest tightened. She remembered this place.
She stepped out slowly, the cold night air biting against her skin. The ground was cracked, weeds pushing through the concrete. The warehouse doors loomed ahead, rusted shut. Ceil stood beside her, his gaze locked on the entrance. For once, he wasn't in control.
Lucian checked his gun. No movement inside. No heat signatures.
Ceil nodded. "He's waiting for us."
Velena's fingers curled into fists. Andrew Steel was inside. And he had brought them here for a reason.
INSIDE THE WAREHOUSE...
The doors creaked as they pushed them open. Dust filled the air, swirling in the dim light from broken windows. Old crates and rusted machinery lined the walls, but the space in the center was clean. Waiting.
A single chair sat in the middle of the warehouse. And on it—a black briefcase.
Velena's heart pounded.
Ceil took a slow step forward, every movement sharp with tension. He stopped just a few feet away, eyes locked on the case.
Lucian moved carefully, checking the surroundings. "No sign of explosives. No surveillance."
Velena exhaled. "Then what is this?"
Ceil's fingers twitched at his side. Then, before anyone could stop him, he reached for the case.
The moment his fingers touched it, a voice echoed through the warehouse.
"I was wondering when you'd finally show up."
Velena's breath hitched. Andrew.
His voice was smooth, controlled—like he had been expecting them all along.
Lucian spun, gun raised, scanning the shadows. "Where is he?"
A slow chuckle. "Right where I need to be."
Velena's eyes darted across the room. She knew that voice. She knew that tone.
And then— a single red laser dot appeared on Ceil's chest.
Velena's heart stopped.
Andrew had a sniper on them.
Ceil didn't move. Didn't even flinch. Instead, he smirked.
"Is this supposed to scare me?"
Andrew's voice was closer this time. "No. This is supposed to remind you that I am always a step ahead."
The warehouse door slammed shut behind them. They were locked in.
And the game had just begun.