Chapter 103 The night
His grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
Just one more favor. That’s what he had told himself.
One last job.
Then he was done with Dominic and the shadows of his world. His focus would return to the things that actually mattered.
To the things that were real, to Jasmine. Damien’s gaze flicked briefly toward the empty passenger seat beside him. He could almost imagine her there. Feet tucked under herself, holding that ridiculous pink drink she loved so much. Talking endlessly about whatever movie she had watched that day.
He shook the thought away.
Tonight wasn’t about that.
Tonight was about finishing something.
The towering glass building that housed his company soon appeared in the distance, its upper floors glowing faintly against the dark sky.
Damien pulled into the underground entrance and parked near the executive elevator.
The building security recognized his car immediately. The gate lifted without question.
By the time Damien stepped into the lobby, the entire place was silent.
Empty, thankfully his message was delivered by Sebastian. Damien had given everybody an early leave for the day, the work day that usually ended at 8pm was moved to 6pm.
Polished marble floors stretched across the vast space, reflecting the soft lights hanging from the high ceiling.
His footsteps echoed faintly as he crossed toward the private elevator reserved for his floor. The doors opened with a quiet chime.
Damien stepped inside and pressed the button for the top floor.
As the elevator began its smooth ascent, he checked his phone again.
6:57 AM.
Right on time.
Percival would arrive any minute.
Damien slipped the phone back into his pocket just as the elevator doors opened onto the executive floor.
The hallway beyond was dark except for the faint light spilling from Damien’s office. He walked toward it slowly, each step measured.
Controlled.
But something inside him felt restless.
He pushed open the office door and stepped inside. The city skyline stretched across the massive glass windows behind his desk.
The clouds darkened with night, the street lights casting a florescent glow along the pavement and roads. Damien moved behind the desk and leaned against it, crossing his arms.
Waiting.
Three minutes later...
A knock sounded at the door, soft, short.
Damien didn’t need to ask who it was.
“Come in,” he said calmly.
The door opened.
Percival stepped inside.
And the night truly began.
DAMIEM
Percival closed the office door behind him with a soft click. The sound echoed quietly through the large space.
For a moment neither man spoke.
Damien studied him carefully.
Percival looked exactly the same as he had during their last meeting—tall, lean, and unnervingly composed. His dark coat hung neatly over his shoulders, not a single wrinkle disturbing the fabric. His hair was slicked back with almost surgical precision.
There was something unsettling about how calm he always looked. Like a man who operated entirely outside the normal boundaries of emotion.
Percival stepped further into the office.
“Mr. Blackwood,” he greeted with a slight nod.
“Percival,” Damien replied.
His voice remained even.
Controlled.
But his eyes were sharp.
“Right on time.”
Percival’s lips twitched faintly, though the expression never quite reached his eyes.
“Punctuality is… important in my line of work.”
Damien gestured toward the chair across from his desk.“Sit.”
Percival obeyed without hesitation, lowering himself into the chair with smooth, deliberate movements. Damien remained standing for a moment longer before circling the desk and leaning casually against its edge.
The faint glow of the city skyline behind him cast long shadows across the room. “You said the goods were secured,” Damien said calmly.
Percival folded his hands together.
“All three,” he confirmed.
Damien nodded slowly.
“Where are they?”
“Safe.”
The answer was simple.
Too simple.
Damien’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I’ll need something more specific than that.”
Percival tilted his head slightly. “Within the city,” he replied. “In a controlled environment.”
Damien studied him for another moment.
Percival’s expression never wavered. The man was either extremely confident… Or extremely dangerous.
Possibly both.
“Dominic was clear about their importance,” Damien said.
Percival nodded once.
“Yes. They are intact.”
The word made Damien’s jaw tighten.
Intact.
Like they were objects, cargo, not human beings.
He pushed the irritation aside. “This needs to end quietly,” Damien said firmly. “No attention. No mistakes.”
Percival gave a small, almost amused smile.
“Mr. Blackwood… discretion is the cornerstone of my profession.”
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Damien crossed his arms. “I want them moved by tonight.”
Percival raised an eyebrow slightly.
“That is… ambitious.”
“Can you do it?”
Percival considered the question for exactly two seconds.
“Yes.”
Damien nodded.
“Good.”
He pushed himself off the desk and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him.
The city stretched out beneath him like a sea of lights.
From this height, everything looked peaceful.
Orderly.
Predictable.
But Damien knew better.
Beneath the surface, the city was filled with shadows.
Deals.
Secrets.
And people like Dominic who thrived in those shadows. Damien slipped his hands into his pockets. “This is the last job,” he said quietly.
Percival’s voice came from behind him.
“So I’ve heard.”
Damien glanced back over his shoulder.
“Dominic talks too much.”
Percival chuckled softly.
“That he does.”
Damien turned fully again.
“After this, I’m done with his business.”
Percival leaned back slightly in the chair.
“Are you?”
The question hung in the air. Damien’s expression hardened slightly. “Yes.”
Percival studied him with quiet curiosity.
“A man in your position doesn’t usually step away from power so easily.”
Damien shrugged. “I have other priorities.”
The image of Jasmine flashed briefly in his mind.
Her curled up on the couch earlier.
Watching her movie, looking disappointed when he left.
Percival followed Damien’s gaze toward the city lights. “Ah,” he said softly. “So it’s a woman.”
Damien’s eyes snapped back to him.
Percival smiled faintly. “You’d be surprised how often that becomes the deciding factor in men’s lives.”
Damien didn’t answer.
Percival stood slowly from the chair. “The girls will be ready by tonight,” he said. “Shall I contact you once the transfer begins?”
Damien nodded. “Yes.”
Percival straightened his coat.
“Very well.”He began walking toward the door, then paused. “Mr. Blackwood.”
Damien raised an eyebrow.
“Yes?”