The cold night air hit Liam's face as he stepped out of the underground banking facility. He clutched the book tightly in his hand, its weight a reminder that he was now carrying something far more dangerous than just wealth. This was the key to unlocking his family's past, and the target that would put a bounty on his head if the wrong people found out.
Tielen followed closely behind, his hands tucked into his pockets as they walked toward the waiting Rolls-Royce. "So, what now?" he asked, eyeing Liam with curiosity.
Liam exhaled, his breath visible in the crisp night air. "Now, we start planning."
Tielen smirked. "Planning for what? Your grand takeover?"
Liam met his gaze, his eyes cold and unreadable. "No. We start planning how to take down the people who destroyed my family."
Tielen's smirk faded. He had seen that look before—the look of someone who had nothing to lose.
The driver opened the car door, and Liam slid inside without another word. As the vehicle pulled away from the facility, his mind was already racing. He needed to be careful. One wrong move and everything his parents had built, everything they had sacrificed, would be for nothing.
He pulled out the book and flipped through the pages, scanning the names written in careful, precise handwriting. His mother's notes were meticulous, detailing meetings between the Order of Serpents and some of the wealthiest, most powerful individuals in the world.
Tielen leaned over, glancing at the page. "You think any of these guys had something to do with your parents' deaths?"
Liam's jaw tightened. "I don't think. I know."
A particular name caught his attention—Magnus Valerio.
A billionaire with deep connections in both politics and the underworld. Liam had heard the name before, whispered in hushed tones by those who feared him. If his mother had written it down, then he was involved.
He closed the book and leaned back against the seat, staring out the window.
This was no longer about just surviving.
This was war.
---
By the time they arrived at the safe house, Liam's mind was already set on his next steps. The building was located on the outskirts of the city, hidden behind high walls and surrounded by surveillance cameras. It had belonged to his father, one of the many properties listed under the inheritance.
Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, almost too quiet. Liam had never lived in a place this luxurious before. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, marble floors gleamed under the dim lighting, and the scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air.
Tielen let out a low whistle. "Man, you went from being a nobody to living like a king overnight."
Liam ignored him. He had no interest in the wealth. The only thing that mattered now was revenge.
As he stepped into the grand living room, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out and frowned at the unknown number flashing on the screen.
He hesitated for a moment before answering. "Who is this?"
A cold, familiar voice spoke on the other end. "We need to talk."
Liam's grip on the phone tightened. He hadn't heard this voice in years.
"Adrian," he said flatly.
Adrian Montenegro. The so-called cousin who had thrown him out after his parents' deaths. The man who had stolen his rightful place, only to mock him for being weak.
There was a slight chuckle on the other end. "It's been a long time, Liam."
Liam's eyes darkened. "Not long enough."
Adrian ignored the hostility in his voice. "I heard you came into some… fortune recently. I think we should meet."
Liam scoffed. "You think I'd be stupid enough to meet with you?"
Adrian chuckled again. "Oh, Liam. Still so naive. Whether you like it or not, we're family. And family should stick together."
Liam clenched his jaw. "We are not family."
A long pause. Then Adrian's voice dropped into something more sinister. "Be careful, Liam. Money and power make you a target. And if you're not careful… you might not live long enough to enjoy it."
The call ended.
Liam stared at his phone, his heartbeat steady but his blood boiling.
Tielen raised an eyebrow. "Who was that?"
Liam slipped the phone into his pocket. "Someone who will regret ever crossing me."
He turned to face Tielen, his expression unreadable.
"It's time we made our first move."
Tielen leaned against the marble countertop, watching Liam with interest. "You've got a plan already, don't you?"
Liam's fingers tapped lightly against the book in his hand, his mind racing. "Not just a plan. A declaration."
Tielen's smirk returned. "Damn. You really want to shake things up, huh?"
Liam didn't answer immediately. Instead, he flipped open the book again, his gaze landing on another name—Alistair Kane.
A ruthless businessman who controlled a vast underground casino empire, known for laundering money for powerful figures. According to his mother's notes, Alistair had once met with Magnus Valerio and several other members of the Order.
If he wanted to dig deeper into the truth, Alistair was the place to start.
Liam closed the book. "We're going to Kane's casino tomorrow."
Tielen's eyebrows shot up. "You do realize that guy's casino is crawling with bodyguards, right? Not to mention, Kane isn't exactly known for being friendly."
Liam's lips curled into a smirk. "Then it's a good thing I'm not going there to make friends."
Tielen sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, boss. Just don't get yourself killed before your revenge even starts."
Liam turned away, his eyes dark with determination.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
---
The next evening, Liam arrived at Eclipse Royale, one of the most exclusive casinos in the city. The building itself was a fortress, surrounded by towering walls and armed security. The neon lights flashed in elegant patterns, luring in the wealthy and the reckless alike.
Dressed in a fitted black suit, Liam stepped out of his sleek car, the valet barely concealing his surprise at the sight of him.
He had changed. The world had forced him to.
Tielen walked beside him, adjusting his cufflinks. "This place screams trouble. You sure about this?"
Liam's expression remained unreadable. "Positive."
As they entered, the scent of expensive liquor and desperation filled the air. Billionaires, politicians, and criminals alike gathered around the lavish poker tables, their laughter masking the underlying tension.
Liam's eyes scanned the room. It didn't take long to spot him—Alistair Kane.
The man was seated in a private VIP section, surrounded by bodyguards and women in expensive dresses. He was in his late forties, with slicked-back silver hair and a cold smile that never quite reached his eyes.
Liam approached the table, his presence turning heads.
Kane's gaze flickered to him, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. "Well, well. The infamous Liam Montgomery."
Liam took a seat across from him, his fingers tapping the edge of the table. "I see my name travels fast."
Kane chuckled. "In our world, everything travels fast. The real question is… why are you here?"
Liam leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "I need information. About Magnus Valerio."
The moment the name left his lips, the atmosphere shifted. Kane's smirk vanished, replaced by something far colder.
"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, boy," Kane said, swirling his whiskey. "Valerio isn't someone you just dig into."
Liam held his gaze. "I don't care. I want to know everything."
Kane studied him for a moment before leaning back with a slow smile. "Alright. But information comes with a price."
Liam smirked. "Name it."
Kane's eyes gleamed. "A game. One round of poker. You win? I'll tell you what you need to know. You lose?" He leaned in, his voice dropping. "You walk away, and you forget you ever came here."
Tielen muttered under his breath, "This is a bad idea."
Liam didn't hesitate. "Deal."
The cards were dealt, the tension thick. Every move, every glance, every hesitation—it was a battle of minds.
And Liam had never been one to lose.
As the final card was revealed, a slow grin spread across Liam's face.
He had won.
Kane exhaled, shaking his head with amusement. "Well, well. You're either lucky… or dangerous."
Liam's gaze darkened. "I'm both."
Kane leaned forward, his smile fading. "Alright, kid. Listen carefully. Because what I'm about to tell you… might just get you killed."