Chapter 86 Convergence
VINCENT
I watched Amelia leave the estate. Her white cane tapping. Moving quickly for someone who couldn't see.
She was heading toward the city on foot.
I followed her. Keeping my distance. Staying out of auditory range.
Boss had been clear: Follow her. Report everything. Don't let her know she's being watched.
She walked with purpose. Like she knew exactly where she was going. Like she'd done this before.
Interesting.
I pulled out my phone. Texted Jeremy:
Target left the estate at 6:48pm. Walking toward the city centre. I will provide an update once I have determined the target's destination.
His response came immediately:
Stay on her. Don't lose her.
Yes, sir.
I pocketed my phone and continued following.
MICK
I'd been watching the Santoro estate for a week now.
I had been observing the blind girl for a week, getting to know her patterns. Her routines. When she left. When she returned. Who she was with.
Most days, she didn't leave at all. Stayed inside the estate.
But tonight—tonight she was leaving. Alone. On foot.
Perfect.
I texted Jade:
Target leaving the estate alone. Should I move?
Her response:
NO. Not yet. Not until I give the signal. Just follow. Report her location. Where is she going? she asked.
I don't know yet. Just following her for now.
Keep me updated. However, please do not grab her until I give the command. Understood?
Understood.
I pocketed my phone and followed the blind girl. Staying in shadows.
She was easy to track. The white cane. The tapping. Her movements were confident yet cautious.
She turned onto Fifth Street. Heading toward Madison.
Where was she going?
And why alone?
This was the most vulnerable I'd seen her. No security. No boyfriend. No protection.
If Jade gave the signal tonight, the task would be easy. So easy.
But Jade had said to wait. So I'd wait.
VINCENT
I stayed three blocks back behind. Watching her.
The blind girl—Amelia—was heading toward the coffee shop district. Fifth and Madison. Busy area, with lots of foot traffic.
Good for her. Bad for surveillance.
I'd have to get closer. Risk being spotted.
But the boss wanted to know where she was going. Who she was meeting.
So I'd risk it.
I moved closer. Two blocks back now. Close enough to see her turn onto Madison.
And then—
I noticed him.
Another man. Following Amelia. Staying in shadows. Professional and deliberate.
Not Santoro. Not one of ours.
Who the hell was he?
I texted Jeremy:
Boss – we have a problem. Someone else is following Amelia. Unknown male. Professional. Not one of ours.
His response was immediate:
Description?
Mid-40s. Scarred face. Built like ex-military. Staying in shadows. Tracking her movements.
Stay on both of them. Find out who he is and who he works for. And Vincent – if he makes a move toward Amelia, stop him. By any means necessary.
Understood.
I pocketed my phone and adjusted my position. Now I was following two people. The blind girl. And whoever the hell was following her.
This situation just got complicated.
AMELIA
I reached the coffee shop at 6:58pm. Right on time, I found a corner table and sat down.
My heart was racing. This was it. This was the final exchange I would ever have with Alex.
After tonight, I'd have my gun. I'd have my independence. And I'd never have to see Alex again.
Footsteps approached. Familiar gait.
"Amelia?" Alex's voice. Quiet. Careful.
"I'm here."
He sat down across from me. I heard something heavy being set on the table. A bag, probably.
"I got you a Glock 19," he said quietly. "Nine millimetres. Fifteen-round capacity. It's light, reliable, and easy to handle. Perfect for someone your size."
"Okay."
"I also got you two boxes of ammunition. Fifty rounds each. And a holster. "An ankle holster is the easiest option for you to access," he said, pausing. "Amelia, are you sure about this? You don't have to—"
"How much?"
"Twelve hundred. Like I said."
I pulled out the envelope. Counted out the cash. Slid it across the table. "Here."
He counted it. "Okay. It's all here." He pushed the bag toward me. "The gun is unloaded. Safety is on. Ammunition is in separate boxes. Don't load it until you're somewhere safe. Somewhere you can handle it properly."
"I know. You taught me, remember?"
"Right. Yeah." He was quiet for a moment. " Amelia—"
"We're done, Alex. This is it. After I leave this table, don't contact me. Don't try to see me. Don't—just forget I exist."
"I can't forget you exist," he said.
"Try." I stood. Grabbed the bag. "Goodbye, Alex."
"Amelia, wait..."
But I was already walking away. My cane tapped the floor hurriedly. The bag is in my other hand. The weight of power weighs heavily on me. Of independence. Of everything I'd wanted.
I'd done it. I'd got what I needed.
Now I just had to get home before Jeremy found out.
VINCENT
I watched the exchange from across the street.
Amelia. Meeting a man. Young. Well-dressed. Slavic features.
They'd exchanged something. Money for—what? A bag. There was something substantial inside the bag.
Cristo. What had she just bought?
I snapped photos. The man. Amelia. The exchange.
Sent them to Jeremy with a text:
Target met with a male in his mid-20s with Slavic features. They exchanged cash for a bag. Unknown contents. I am currently in the process of obtaining the male's ID. We are currently verifying his identity through our database.
I waited for Jeremy's response. Watched Amelia leave the coffee shop. She was making her way back towards the estate.
The other man—the scarred one—was still following her. Staying in shadows.
I followed both of them. Keeping my distance. I was trying to figure out what was going on.
And then my phone buzzed. Jeremy's response:
That's Alexei Volkov, Viktor's son. Volkov heir. What the FUCK is Amelia doing with a Volkov? Follow her home. Make sure she's safe. Please come to my office as soon as possible. We need to talk.
My blood went cold.
Alexei Volkov is a member of the enemy family. Alexei Volkov was attempting to seize territory from the Santoros.
And Amelia was meeting him. Buying something from him. Behind Jeremy's back.
This was bad. Really bad.
I kept following. I made sure she arrived home safely. I ensured that the man with scars did not approach her.
But my mind was racing.
What had she bought from a Volkov? Why was she meeting him secretly? What was in that bag?
And when Jeremy found out—
This was going to destroy him.
MICK
I watched the blind girl leave the coffee shop. Bag in hand. Moving quickly.
She'd met some young guy They'd exchanged money for something.
Didn't matter what. Not my concern.
My concern was following her. Tracking her. Waiting for Jade's signal.
I texted Jade:
Target met someone at a coffee shop. She exchanged money for a bag. She is currently on her way back to the estate.
Her response:
Who did she meet?
Don't know. Young guy. Well-dressed. They seemed familiar with each other.
Find out who he is. I want to know everyone she's meeting. Everyone she knows. Everything.
Will do.
I pocketed my phone and continued following the girl.
She was almost back to the estate now.
AMELIA
I made it back to the estate at 7:32pm. Slipped through the gates. Into the east wing.
Safe. I was safe. And I had the gun.
I went to my room. Closed the door. Locked it.
Set the bag on my bed. Opened it. Felt inside.
Cold metal. The gun. Compact. Heavy. Real.
Boxes of ammunition. The cardboard feels smooth under my fingers.
A holster. Leather. Straps for ankle attachment.
Everything I needed.
I hid the bag in the back of my closet. Behind clothes. Behind shoes. I hide where no one would notice it.
My secret. My power. My independence.
I'd done it. Successfully. Without Jeremy finding out.
I could breathe now. Could relax. Could—
My door opened.
"Amelia?"
Jeremy's voice. He was home. Early.
"Hi." I turned toward him. Tried to sound casual. "You're back early."
"Where were you?"
My stomach dropped. "What?"
"Where were you tonight? You left the estate at 6:48pm. Where did you go?"
He knew. Somehow, he knew.
"I just—I went for a walk. To clear my head. I—"
"Don't lie to me." His voice was cold. Dangerous. "I know you met someone. I know you exchanged money for something. So tell me the truth. Right now, tell me where you were and who you were with.
My heart pounded. My hands shook.
He knew. He'd been following me. Or having me followed.
And now—everything was about to fall apart.
But I will not let him intimidate me.