The Damned Path: Chronicles of Damien

The safehouse was nothing more than a crumbling apartment on the edge of the city, hidden between two abandoned buildings. Ghost had set it up years ago—a place for when things went bad. Tonight, it was a lifeline.

I slammed the door shut behind me, locking every bolt as Ghost helped Leo to the couch. His face was pale, sweat beading on his forehead, but at least he was alive. For now.

"Sit still," I ordered, kneeling to check the wound on his side. "You'll live, but you're going to hate me for a while."

Leo managed a weak smirk. "Already do, Damien."

I gave a low chuckle despite everything, pulling out a first aid kit from the dusty cabinet. Ghost leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette, watching the door like a hawk.

"Why did you go back to Kross?" I asked, not looking at Leo as I cleaned the cut. "After everything we went through?"

Leo winced as I pressed gauze to his skin. His voice was hoarse when he answered, "Because I thought I was out of options. You left, Damien. And Kross? Kross never lets anyone go."

I paused for a moment. Guilt clawed at my chest, but I shoved it down. "You had me. You always had me."

"Did I?" Leo shot back, eyes sharp despite the pain. "You disappeared. You left me behind."

I didn't know what to say to that. Maybe he was right.

Ghost finally broke the silence. "We can deal with history later. Right now, we need a plan."

I nodded, standing up and tossing the bloody gauze aside. "Leo knows Kross's routes. His next big shipment. If we hit that—"

"It'll hurt him," Leo finished for me, his voice steadier now. "I know where he stores the high-value stuff. Weapons, drugs, everything."

Ghost flicked ash to the floor. "Taking that will bring Kross straight to us."

"I'm counting on it," I said coldly. "He's been pulling the strings too long. It's time he bleeds."

Leo looked up at me, something flickering in his eyes—fear, but also trust. "You sure about this?"

Before I could answer, there was a knock on the door. Three soft taps. A pause. Then two more.

Ghost was on his feet instantly, gun in hand. I motioned for Leo to stay down and crept toward the door, my own blade ready.

"Who is it?" I called, voice sharp.

A low voice answered, one I didn't recognize. "A friend. You don't know me, but you will want to."

Ghost looked at me, brow furrowed. I nodded for him to stay ready and opened the door a crack.

A man stood there, dressed sharp in a dark suit, untouched by the grime of the city. His eyes were sharp, calculating. Not a thug. Something else.

"Name," I demanded.

"Call me Victor," he said smoothly. "I'm here because we share a problem. Kross."

That got my attention.

"I'm listening," I said, but didn't open the door wider.

Victor smiled thinly. "Kross is out of control. His war with you is about to spill over into places it shouldn't. Places I care about. So, I'm offering you a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

He glanced over his shoulder, making sure he wasn't followed, then leaned in. "Information. Resources. But I want something in return."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"I want Kross gone as much as you do," Victor said quietly. "But I want his empire intact. You take him down, I take over."

The implication hit me like a punch. Out of one nightmare, straight into another.

"And if I say no?" I asked.

Victor smirked. "Then you'll be facing Kross alone, without half the intel you need to survive."

I stared at him, weighing the options. Leo's life, our revenge, my war. And now this man, this wild card, dangling a key to Kross's downfall—but at a price.

Behind me, Ghost muttered, "Don't trust him."

Leo looked up, pale but alert. "Damien, if this guy knows what he says he knows…"

I let out a slow breath, considering.

Victor watched me carefully, his smile never touching his cold eyes. "Tick-tock, Damien. Kross won't wait."

I gave him a sharp look. "I'll think about it."

Victor nodded. "Do that. But don't take too long."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the night.

As I shut the door, Ghost spoke up first. "You really gonna trust that suit?"

"No," I said, staring at the door. "But we'll hear him out. If he can help take Kross down, I'll use him."

Leo coughed, forcing a smile. "Still the same Damien."

I looked at him, a grim smirk forming on my lips. "Yeah. The same."

But inside, I was already thinking of the next move. Because if Victor was telling the truth, this war just got a whole lot bigger.

And I was ready for it.