Chapter 4 - The Traitor WithinThe fragile truce between them shattered before dawn.
An encrypted emergency alert chimed from the communications console in Damian’s study. Damian woke instantly, pulling on a black tactical sweater over his white t-shirt and moving into the command center where his chief of security, Marcus Vance, was furiously typing away at multiple monitors.
"Boss, we have a massive security breach," Marcus reported, his face pale under the fluorescent lights. "Maro’s tactical teams didn't just track us to Gloucester—they breached our perimeter telemetry. Someone inside our core network transmitted our exact coordinates twenty minutes after we left the diner."
Vivien, who had rushed down the hallway upon hearing the commotion, stood in the doorway wrapped in a silk robe. Her face drained of color. "Another leak?"
"Not another leak," Damian said, his jaw clenching so hard a muscle twitched near his temple. "The same leak. The traitor who sold your file to Maro seven years ago is still sitting at my table."
Marcus nodded grimly. "We traced the proxy server routing. It leads back to Arthur Cole, head of our financial logistics division in Boston."
Damian didn't shout. He didn't curse. He simply reached into his holster, checked the magazine of his Sig Sauer 9mm with a smooth, practiced click, and tucked it into his waistband.
"Lock down the estate," Damian ordered Marcus. "Nobody leaves. Bring Cole to the lower basement vault."
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"Damian, no," Vivien stepped forward, grabbing his arm. "If you do this—if you execute someone inside your own syndicate without a trial—you’re just proving every bad thing I ever ran from. You're proving you're a monster."
Damian looked down at her hand on his arm. His dark eyes were as cold and empty as winter stone. "In my world, Vivien, mercy is a luxury for people who don't have daughters. Cole sold your location. He invited a bullet into our home. He dies tonight."
