Chapter 18: Chapter XVIII: Cracks in the Armor

The night was far gone already.

Ariana had long retreated to her room and Callum stood by the full-length glazed window of his California penthouse, staring out at the city. The city was a sea of lights that never seemed to dim.

He had kissed her.

More than that—he had almost let go. Let Ariana in. And she… she hadn’t run.

Callum ran a hand over his face. Her touch still lingered on his skin, her voice soft in his ears, a balm to the fury he was holding back.

But Milanna’s message was like a venom that wouldn’t stop spreading.

He picked up the burner phone from his pocket after feeling it beep. Only a handful of people had that number. He stared at the new message.

Milanna: The clock is ticking, Callum. I wonder how long the media would take to spin a new story if they had all the details. Meet me at midnight. Come alone.

He had already broken his own rule by meeting her once. Letting her get close again was a risk. But ignoring her? That was worse.

He needed to know what her plans were. What she planned to do with the information she so clearly dangled over him like a sword.

The elevator to the penthouse was locked, private. Only he and his inner circle had access. Still, he checked it three times before heading back into his study, where he had a black canvas safe that held documents—secrets.

He pulled out the folder.

Inside: Photos. A redacted intelligence report. A name that should’ve never resurfaced.

And Milanna’s message made sense now.

She didn’t want to ruin him because he broke her heart. She wanted leverage. She wanted control.

Callum leaned over the desk, both palms flat, heart hammering.

If the media found out about the details, it wasn’t just his empire at risk. Ariana… his family… even Julian. They would all burn.

A soft knock on the door startled him.

It was Mark, one of his most trusted guards.

“You sent for me, boss?”

Callum looked at the clock. 11:40 PM.

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m going out. Alone.”

Mark raised a brow. “It’s not safe to be out alone at this time of the night boss. Are you sure I shouldn’t accompany you?”

“I know. Alright stay close, but don’t be seen.”

Mark didn’t ask questions. “Understood sir.”

Callum went into his room and changed into a dark jacket, his demeanor shifting as he slid on a watch and tucked the burner into his pocket. The face he wore now was familiar: emotionless, calculating—dangerous.

The man Ariana saw earlier wasn’t this one.

But Milanna would know this version of him. It was the only one she respected.

He left the house immediately, entering into the parking garage where his car waited, already running. The address Milanna sent was a luxury villa tucked into the Beverly Hills—different from the address she had sent earlier.

He pulled up just before midnight. A security camera followed his every move as he walked up the steps.

The door opened as soon as he knocked.

Milanna stood there in a red silk robe that slipped off one shoulder, her smile slow and venomous. “Callum,” she purred. “You’re right on time.”

“I’m not going to keep doing this with you so I advise you get to the point,” he snapped, walking in without brushing past her skin.

She followed; bare feet soundless on the marble.

“I missed this version of you,” she said, circling him. “Calculated. Angry. Dangerous. The man who knows what he wants.”

Callum’s jaw clenched. “What do you want, Milanna?”

She stopped in front of him, brushing a manicured finger down the front of his shirt. “To remind you that I’m still in control here.”

He caught her wrist midair. Hard.

“You don’t have power over me.”

“No?” Her eyes shone. “Then why are you here?”

She pulled her hand free and walked to the bar, pouring herself something clear over ice. “I know about the deal that went on in Tulum, Callum. About the people you paid to make things disappear. I have photos. Names. Dates.”

His heart didn’t race. It turned to ice.

“You try to paint yourself as the nightlife king now,” she went on. “But we both know your empire was built on dirt. And I’m just the girl who remembers the smell of blood on your skin.”

He didn’t flinch. “You expose me, you go down with me. There’s a lot I can spill about the shady dealings your family is involved in.”

Milanna smiled. “Do I? Or do I disappear with a golden parachute and you go down alone?”

He said nothing.

She stepped closer again, dangerously close. “It’s so cute, this thing with the girl. Ariana, right? She has the face of someone who still believes that there’s good in the world. What will she do when she finds out she’s sleeping next to the devil himself?”

Callum’s hand curled into a fist at his side. Eyes filled with rage.

“Don’t test me.” he warned.

“Oh, I’m not testing you, sweetheart.” Her fingers ran over his chest again. “I’m giving you a choice. Keep her… or keep your kingdom.”

Then, suddenly, she pressed her body into his, her lips grazing his neck. “We used to be good together, didn’t we?”

Callum grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back.

“We were never good. You were a lesson. And I’ve learned it the hard way.”

Milanna’s eyes narrowed, but she stepped back with a bitter laugh. “Then get ready, Callum. Because class is back in session.”

“Let’s see who the better teacher is then.” Callum smirked.

He turned on his heel and left, the burn of her threat in his ears.

The second he stepped outside, his phone vibrated.

A message from Julian.

Julian: You need to see this. Check the news.

Callum opened the link—and there it was.

A headline.

"Callum Guerrero’s Secret Ties to International Smuggling? Anonymous Hints at explosive Revelations."

His breath left him in a slow exhale.

She had delivered on her threat. The war had officially begun.