Chapter 105 The Devil’s Invitation

The silence stretched. Thick. Unyielding.

Dominic Vale stood there, exuding the kind of authority that came from decades of being untouchable. A man who had faked his death and still thrived.

Ethan didn’t move. Neither did Alea or Luca.

But their minds? Already calculating.

Five men. Armed. Positioned in a loose semi-circle around them. One exit—blocked.

Vale clasped his hands behind his back, his posture almost relaxed. Almost.

“You’ve been making a mess of things, Watson.”

Ethan didn’t blink. “Cleaning up the trash is messy work.”

Vale chuckled, slow and deliberate. “And yet, here you are. Surrounded.” He tilted his head. “Not your best strategy, I’d say.”

Alea’s eyes flickered around. Assessing.

One guard’s grip is too relaxed. Another stands slightly off-balance. A third keeps shifting his stance—untrained.

Weak spots.

Luca adjusted his hold on his weapon. “If we’re already caught, what’s stopping us from putting a bullet in you?”

Vale’s lips curled. “Because you’re still breathing.”

A pause. Then, with the smallest flick of his fingers—

Click.

The unmistakable sound of hammers cocking back. The guards raised their weapons, barrels glinting in the dim light.

Luca tensed, but Ethan remained still.

His voice was calm. “So this is your idea of a conversation?”

Vale exhaled, as if bored. He turned, strolling towards the edge of the pier. The wood creaked under his weight.

“Do you know what separates men like me from the ones who die early?”

He looked over his shoulder, his gaze locking onto Ethan’s.

“Patience.”

Another flick of his fingers.

The guards eased their weapons down.

Alea let out a slow breath. Not an execution. Yet.

Vale gestured to the open space beside him. “Walk with me.”

Ethan didn’t move. “Why would I?”

Vale’s smile widened. “Because I’m offering you something no one else can.”

The challenge hung between them.

Alea glanced at Ethan. A trap. But also an opportunity.

After a beat, Ethan stepped forward.

Alea and Luca stayed close.

The guards didn’t stop them.

Yet.

A Devil’s Bargain

The sea stretched into the darkness, waves lapping against the dock. The scent of brine and metal filled the air.

Vale placed his hands on the railing, staring out. Silent. Thinking.

Then—

“You remind me of your father.”

Ethan’s spine stiffened, but his face remained impassive. “That’s not a compliment.”

Vale let out a short laugh. “No. I suppose it’s not.”

A gust of wind cut through, ruffling Ethan’s coat.

Vale continued, his voice almost conversational.

“Your father was a man who thought power came from control. But true power?” His fingers tapped the railing. “It comes from inevitability.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “And what’s inevitable?”

Vale turned. Face unreadable. Eyes sharp.

“Me.”

Alea’s stomach twisted. This man wasn’t just confident—he was certain.

Luca muttered under his breath. “Arrogant bastard.”

Vale ignored him. He studied Ethan. Measuring him.

Then he said something that made Alea’s blood run cold.

“Join me.”

The words hung in the air.

Even the wind seemed to pause.

Ethan’s expression didn’t change. “Not interested.”

Vale smirked. “Oh, I think you are.”

Alea stepped forward. “You’re delusional if you think Ethan would work for you.”

Vale’s gaze shifted to her. “Work for me? No.” His eyes gleamed. “I want him to replace me.”

Alea’s breath caught. What?

Ethan’s fingers curled into fists. His voice, sharp. “Explain. Now.”

Vale chuckled. “You’ve spent years tearing down men like Caldwell, like Diana, like me.” He stepped closer. “But what happens when you win?”

His voice dipped, almost a whisper.

“Do you think the world just…stays clean?”

The weight of his words pressed down.

Ethan’s heartbeat pounded against his ribs.

Vale tilted his head. “You know better, Watson. Power is a cycle. Men fall, others rise.”

He leaned in slightly. Too close.

“And right now? You’re the one rising.”

Alea’s nails dug into her palm. No. No, this wasn’t happening.

Ethan’s voice was ice. “You think I’d ever be like you?”

Vale exhaled. “I think you already are.”

The Choice

A tense, charged silence.

Then Vale stepped back, spreading his arms. “You have two choices.”

He lifted one hand. “Kill me.”

Then the other. “Or take my place.”

Luca let out a short, bitter laugh. “There’s a third option—putting a bullet in your head and walking away.”

Vale smirked. “You think it’s that easy?”

Ethan’s shoulders tensed. He already knew. It wasn’t.

Vale read the hesitation and pressed forward.

“You think you’ve come this far on your own? That you’ve stayed alive just by being careful?”

His eyes darkened. “I’ve let you live, Ethan.”

Alea’s blood went cold.

Vale’s voice dropped. “You are alive because I allowed it.”

The words hit harder than any bullet.

Ethan’s breath was controlled, but the weight of the truth settled in his chest.

Vale had been watching. Manipulating. Pulling strings behind the curtain.

Ethan clenched his jaw. “Why?”

Vale’s smile returned. “Because you’re the only one worthy.”

He turned away, walking toward the shadows.

“But I won’t wait forever.”

Ethan’s muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike. “And if I say no?”

Vale didn’t look back.

“Then I’ll find out which of us is inevitable.”

Then—he was gone.

Vanishing into the night like a phantom.

Aftermath

The wind picked up again. The world settled.

Ethan exhaled. Fists still clenched. Mind still racing.

Alea stepped beside him. “We should’ve shot him.”

Luca huffed. “You think it would’ve worked?”

Silence.

Ethan’s voice was low. “He wanted us to find him.”

Alea’s breath shuddered. “And now?”

Ethan looked ahead.

His voice, steel.

“Now, we finish this.”