The silence in the apartment wasn’t peaceful.

It was the kind that came after something had already gone wrong.

Julius was gone. The photograph was gone. The bite mark Harrison had left on his neck was the only proof of what had just happened.

Harrison stood by the window. His eyes were brown again. Calm. But inside, something else was stirring.

For twenty-five years, he’d been patient. Hidden. Watching from the shadows. Letting Julius live a normal life without knowing the darkness that surrounded him.

But someone had just crossed a line.

Someone had given Julius that photograph. Someone wanted him to remember. Someone wanted to tear them apart.

Harrison’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out.

A message from Daniel. [Subject secured. Underground. Awaiting your arrival.]

Harrison slipped the phone back into his pocket. Turned from the window.

The game had changed.

For twenty-five years, he was a ghost. The protector who never revealed himself. He let his enemies exist because eliminating them would have drawn attention. Would have forced Julius to see the monster he really was.

But they made their choice.

Now it was his turn.

Harrison walked to his bedroom. Opened the closet. Took out a black jacket. Leather. The kind he used to wear before Julius came back into his life.

He put it on. Then reached for the gloves. Black leather. Fitted.

This was who he really was.

Not the man who sat at dinner tables and poured wine. Not the man who tried to explain himself with careful words.

This is Harrison Moretti. Head of Nexus Global. The Enigma who sits at the top of the Apex Alliance table.

The man people feared.

He walked out of the bedroom. His assistant was already waiting in the hallway. Calm. Efficient. Always exactly where he was needed.

No questions. No hesitation.

"Get the car ready," Harrison said.

"Already downstairs, sir."

They walked to the elevator. Rode down without speaking. The car was waiting at the curb. Black. Tinted windows.

Harrison got in the back. His assistant took the driver’s seat. Drove away from the building.

Through the city. Past bright lights and busy streets. Past the world where normal people existed.

After several minutes, the assistant spoke. Careful. Respectful.

"Sir, are you okay?"

Harrison looked up. "Yes. I’m okay."

The assistant hesitated. Then continued. "Don’t be angry at him, sir. He doesn’t know what’s going on. He doesn’t know you’re protecting him in secret. So it doesn’t matter if he’s angry."

Harrison smiled. Looked down at his gloved hand.

"I know," he said.

The assistant said nothing more.

They turned down a street that didn’t appear on maps. Then another. And another.

The buildings here were abandoned. Forgotten. No one heard screams here.

The car stopped in front of a warehouse. Old brick. No windows. No signs.

Harrison got out.

He walked inside alone.

The warehouse was dark. Only a few lights hanging from the ceiling. In the center, a man sat tied to a chair. Blood on his face. Already terrified.

Around him were five men. They didn’t move—but their eyes followed Harrison, waiting.

Daniel stepped out from the shadows.

Tall. Broad. Built like a man who didn’t hesitate when violence was required.

Unlike the assistant, Daniel didn’t belong to Harrison’s world of business.

He ruled the other side of it.

"Sir," Daniel said.

No hesitation. No fear.

Just readiness.

"Report," Harrison said.

"For the past month, we’ve been eliminating targets. Fifty so far." Daniel’s expression didn’t change. "We got intel from the ones we captured first. Names. Locations. Plans."

Harrison walked to the chair.

"This one," Daniel nodded toward the man, "we kept alive. You said not to kill. Wanted to handle him yourself."

"Good."

"They’re planning to send more," Daniel added. "Trying to get close to him. To separate you two."

Daniel pulled a chair forward. Set it down across from the captured man.

Harrison sat. Leaned back. Studied the man in front of him.

The man was shaking. Couldn’t stop.

"Do you know who I am?" Harrison asked.

The man nodded.

"Good." Harrison’s voice was calm. "Then you know what I can do."

The man’s shaking got worse.

Daniel stepped forward. Handed him something. A knife. Small. Sharp. The blade caught the light.

Harrison turned the blade over. Once. Twice.

"I’ve known about people like you for twenty-five years," Harrison said. "People who were involved in that accident."

The man tried to speak. Harrison raised a hand.

"Do you know why I haven’t eliminated you?"

The man shook his head.

"I thought you were smart enough to keep this secret to yourself forever." Harrison set the knife on his knee. "But leaving a foolish thing like you alive—you don’t deserve it."

"Out of all people, you decided to collaborate with someone who’s going to be eliminated soon."

Silence.

"I don’t need you to tell me," Harrison said. "I know who you’re working with. VOID."

"Do you know the worst mistake you made? Giving that photograph to him. To Julius."

"I swear I didn’t tell him anything!" the man said desperately. "I only told him—that I know a secret. A secret that can break you and Julius apart. But I didn’t give him details! I didn’t show him the picture! I didn’t tell him what happened! I swear!"

"Is that so?" Harrison said. "You think I don’t see it? VOID believes they’re using you to reach him. But you’re using them to reach me. I know the game you’re playing."

The man started struggling against the ropes. Useless. Harrison’s men had tied them too well.

"You thought you could use Julius to get to me," Harrison said. "You thought if he remembered, if he turned against me, I’d be weakened."

Harrison looked at him. "I’m going to make an example out of you."

The man broke instantly.

Harrison stood, already losing interest.

He turned to his men.

"Make sure he understands what happens to people who touch what’s mine."

The man screamed until his voice gave out.

Harrison walked toward the exit. Daniel followed.

"Keep eliminating anyone who comes near him," Harrison said. "Anyone who even plans to target him."

"Understood, sir," Daniel said.

Harrison paused. "I’ve given them enough time to live."

Daniel nodded.

Outside, Harrison’s assistant was waiting by the car. He opened the door as Harrison approached.

Harrison got in.

As the assistant walked around to the driver’s seat, Daniel spoke.

"Take care of him."

"As usual," the assistant said.

They drove away from the warehouse.

For twenty-five years, he’d been the protector in the shadows.

Now he was the hunter.

And anyone who thought they could come between him and Julius—wouldn’t live long enough to regret it.