ログインAs he and Cole stepped into the hallway , Rose was waiting . “You heard?” James nodded . “Luciano “ Rose looked worried. “What are you going to do?” “Find victor” —-- Across the city Victor sat alone inside an old apartment, the brass key resting on the table he stared at it for a long time before picking up his phone. He dialed a number. The call connected. “You shouldn't have taken the key.” Victor's jaw tightened. “I had no choice . “You always have a choice.” Victor looked towards the window.. “James is getting too close”. “Thats because you failed to stop him”. Victor's expression changed. “What do you want from him “. The voice remained silent for a moment. “Nothing”. Victor frowned. “Then why are you watching him” “Because James is not the only one searching for the truth.” Victor looked down at the key. “What does that mean”. The call ended. Victor slowly lowered the phone. A knock sounded on the door He froze . Another knock, Three slow kn
James reached the hallway with Cole right behind him .The sound of shouting came from the eastern wing.“How many?” James asked.“Don't know yet, “ Cole replied.They moved quickly through the corridor. Two guards rushed towards them, both looking shaken.“Boss, we searched the eastern side and we didn't find anyone.”James stopped. “Then where did the shots come from?”Before either guard could answer the light suddenly went out.The mansion suddenly went dark.Rose's voice came from behind them.“James!”“I’m here”He immediately turned towards her voice. “Stay with Cole”“But….”“Please “Rose hesitated before nodding. James pulled out his phone and switched on the flashlight. The narrow bean move across the hallway.Nothing .Then he noticed something on the floorA small tray of moody footprints.Someone had entered through the back entrance. James followed them slowly, Cole caught up with him. “James, wait “James stopped. Cole pointed towards the wall.There was a fre
“My name is Dante” Aldo frowned. “I've never seen you before “ Dante smiled faintly. “Thats because Luciano only sends me when failure is no longer an option”. Before Aldo could respond the van came to a stop . The side door slid open. Heavy footsteps approached. Dante immediately stood. “Boss”. A polished black shoe steps into the van . Then another. Luciano climbed inside without saying a word. The air instantly felt heavier , Aldo lowered his head . “Luciano…” Luciano sat beside Dante , his calm gaze fixed at Aldo. “You ask James Plank for protection “. Aldo's face turned pale. “I…. Luciano raised one finger . Aldo fell silent immediately. Luciano looked at Dante . “Take him”. Dante nodded once. “Yes Boss” Aldo's terrified screams echoed through the night as the van door slammed shut. —-- The front gate was in ruins. Pieces of twisted metal lay scattered across the driveway, while guards rushed from one corner of the mansion to another. Cole retur
Morning arrived with amd uneasy silence , the rain had stopped but thick grey clouds still covered the sky .James stood alone in the balcony outside his study, staring at the wet garden below . The black chess piece Luciano had sent was resting in his palm.It wasn't a gift it was a warning. The sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts .Rose stepped towards him holding a cup of coffee .“ you've been out here since down ,she said quietly. James accepted the cup but didnt drink it.“I kept thinking about that chess piece.”Rose folded her arms.“Do you think Luciano was threatening you?”James shook his head .“No”“Then what was it?”“He was reminding me how my father used to think “Rose frowned. “What do you mean”“My father never fought battles with anger. He planned three moves ahead.His grip tightened around the chess piece. “Luciano knows that .”Rose sighed. “So he's trying to get inside your head”.James nodded.And if I let him I've already lost.Before Rose co
The rain fell heavily through the night, washing the blood from the wooden dock as if nothing had happened. But some stains refuse to disappear.Inside the mansion, silence filled every corner. James stood by the living room window, staring at the rain. His suit was gone replaced by a plan dark shirt, but the bruises on his knuckles still remained. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Luciano standing on that boat…smiling before disappearing into the fog.He hated that smile.Behind him the front door opened.Cole walked in with two men dragging Aldo behind them. His hands were tighted behind his back, and a cut above his eyebrow had dryed into a thin line of blood.“We searched him , no weapons “ Cole said .James turned around slowly.Aldo lifted his head and smiled.“I expect something…bigger” he saidThis famous plank mansion isn't as interesting as it is in the stories .James ignored the insult.“Take him downstairs”The men pushed Aldo towards the basement. Just before appea
The sky was dark again, It looked like rain was coming and also it could signify that something wants to happen.But inside the house, there was more than just weather to worry about.James sat alone at the edge of the dining table, reading the letter Mira gave him again and again. His hands moved slowly, eyes sharp. He wasn’t just reading words. He was reading memories. Warnings. Secrets.Rose entered the room, holding two mugs of tea. She placed one in front of him. “You haven’t eaten,” she said.James looked up. “I’m not hungry.”“You need your strength,” she said softly.He gave a small smile and reached for the cup. “Thank you.”She sat beside him. For a while, neither of them said anything. Then James spoke, his voice low. “This letter… It's not just a plan. It’s a confession.”Rose leaned closer. “What do you mean?”He pointed to a line on the page. “Luciano admitted to killing my father.”Rose gasped quietly. “Your own uncle…?”James nodded slowly. “All this time, I thought my
They returned just before sunrise. The black car rolled up slowly into the driveway. James stepped out first, holding the metal box tight in his arms. His face was calm, but his eyes were burning with everything he had just seen.Cole followed behind him, silent, scanning the area while Jennie wal
Chapter They drove for hours without saying much. The silence inside the car was heavy, filled with thoughts, worries, and old fears. Outside, the road stretched endlessly beneath the dark sky. The only sound was the hum of the tires and Ariel's soft breathing as she slept in Rose's arms.James k
The sun came up slowly, painting the sky with soft colors—orange, yellow, and light blue. It was a quiet morning, and everything felt calm for the first time in a long while.James opened his eyes and looked around the small living room where they had all slept. He was on the couch. Rose was sleepi
Rose’s hands shook as she looked at James. She wanted to tell him everything, but the words stuck in her throat. She doesn't wish to hide anything but still she doesn't want to spoil their good moments together and that's just the irony of a lady in distress.James waited patiently, his eyes soft b







