The photo on my screen wouldn't stop burning itself into my memory. It was grainy, taken from a distance, but I'd know that face anywhere. The lines around his eyes, the same stubborn set of his jaw that I saw in the mirror.
My father is still alive…..after fifteen years
My throat became dry, the room closing in around me. Damian was speaking — I saw his mouth moving — but I couldn't hear a thing. It was like my brain had flipped a switch and decided to shut out everything else.
"Ava," he said, finally catching my wrist. His touch snapped me out of it. "Who was it? What did you see? What is that?"
I yanked my arm away. "I think you know."
He shook his head. "I swear to you, I don't."
Charlotte stayed silent, watching us both like she was studying the aftermath of a storm she'd been waiting for.
I held the phone up, my voice shaking. "He's alive.
"Who is alive?" He asked staring at me.
My father — you told me no one's seen him. Someone has and they sent this."
Damian's face paled as he grabbed the phone. His eyes scanned the image thoroughly. "Where did this come from?"
I laughed bitterly. "I don't know — you're the one surrounded by powerful people and enemies, remember?"
He looked at me, something dark and protective flashing in his gaze. "Whoever is playing this game is dangerous. And if your father is still alive, it means he is either hiding… or someone's been keeping him hidden."
Charlotte stepped forward, for the first time looking genuinely troubled. "If it's who I think it is, then you're both in more trouble than you realize."
I turned to her sharply. "Start explaining."
She hesitated, then her voice dropped to a whisper. "There is a name… Elias Vaughn."
Damian's reaction was instant — his entire body going rigid, the color draining from his face.
"You don't bring him into this," Damian hissed.
Charlotte ignored him, her attention locked on me. "Elias Vaughn was your father's boss. Head of Knight Enterprises' private security division. He vanished the same night your father did. Only difference is, people say Vaughn didn't just run. He took something. Something worth killing for."
Blood rushed through my veins at her final statement. "What did he take?"
Charlotte's lips parted to answer — but a sudden sharp crack split the air- glass.
A bullet hole spider-webbed the penthouse window behind Damian.
I screamed, hitting the floor instinctively as shards rained down. Damian was already moving, pulling me toward cover behind the couch.
Then came another shot.
"Stay down!" he barked, shielding me with his body.
Charlotte was crouched by the table, pale and frozen. "This wasn't supposed to happen," she whispered.
"Who is it?" I demanded, heart slamming against my ribs.
Damian's phone buzzed. He yanked it out, reading the message, his face darkening with fury.
"You should've stayed away. I warned you both. One down. Two to go."
He looked at me, and for the first time since this started, I saw real fear in his eyes.
"They're coming for us."
The penthouse lights dimmed for a split second as another shot shattered a lamp across the room. Glass sprayed like shrapnel, and the sound of it sent my pulse skyrocketing and my breath came to a stop for a while.
Damian didn't wait a second. He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward a narrow hallway behind the kitchen, one I hadn't even noticed before.
"This way!" he ordered, his voice sharp.
I could barely keep up, my legs shaky, my brain screaming a thousand questions I didn't have time to ask. Charlotte moved slowly behind, her face down and drawn.
"I have a private elevator," Damian muttered, typing a code into a hidden panel. The wall slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a small, steel-walled lift. He took us inside, slamming his palm against the button.
As the doors closed, I caught a final glimpse of the room — bullet holes marking the walls, broken glass glittering on the floor, and a crimson smear I didn't want to look at too closely.
The elevator descended but none of us spoke.
Damian's hand was still around mine, tight, like he didn't trust the world not to steal me away the moment he let go.
Finally, I found my voice. "Who the hell is doing this?"
His jaw clenched. "Someone from Vaughn's network. Or what's left of it."
Charlotte spoke up, her voice shaky. "They won't stop. Not until they get what they want."
I turned to her. "And what is that?"
Her eyes met mine. "You."
The word hit me like a punch. "Why me?"
Damian's gaze was dark, haunted. "Because, Ava… you're the last loose end. Whatever your father took, whatever Elias Vaughn was after — they think it's tied to you now and just you."
I swallowed hard. "I don't know anything."
"Doesn't matter," Damian said quietly. "They believe you do."
The elevator jerked to a stop.
We stepped out into an underground garage, dimly lit and eerily quiet. A sleek black SUV waited, engine humming.
"We're leaving the city immediately," Damian said, his voice low but determined. "It's not safe for you here anymore, Atleast not now."
I climbed into the car without protest, my heart pounding heavier. As we sped through the empty underground tunnels, I couldn't help the question that slipped out.
"Where are we going?"
Damian met my eyes in the rear view mirror. "Somewhere no one can find us, just us"
I wanted to believe that, I really did.
But then my phone buzzed again and another message came in.
"You can run, Ava. But you'll never outrun blood."
And attached was a video of a dark, windowless room with a man tied to a chair. His head lifting weakly toward the camera and looked.
My father....my father
He spoke one word, hoarse and broken.
"Ava."
And then, the screen went black.