Playing With Fire

Playing With Fire
"He's gone," Elijah said, lowering the gun he'd pulled when they spotted the figure outside.
Aidan pressed his face against the window, peering into the darkness. Only rain and empty parking spaces greeted him. "We need to warn Adrian and Audrey."
Maya was already typing furiously on her phone. "I've sent them a code red. They'll go dark and head to the backup meeting point."
Asher paced the small room, running his hands through his hair. "Alex—or whoever he is—knows everything. Every plan, every hiding spot."
"Not everything," Elijah reminded them. "He doesn't know about the summer house mirrors. Your mother saved that clue for you two specifically."
A sharp buzz cut through the tension. All four froze, staring at Aidan's phone on the nightstand.
"It's the office number," Aidan said, showing them the screen.
"Don't answer," Maya warned.
"Wait," Asher said. "If we ignore him, he'll know something's wrong."
Aidan nodded, taking a deep breath before answering on speaker. "Hello?"
"Aidan." Victor's voice filled the room, smooth and controlled as always. "I need to see you in my office. Tomorrow morning, 8 AM sharp."
Aidan's eyes met Asher's. "What's this about, Father?"
"Some concerning activity in the R&D department. Nothing to worry about," Victor said with practiced casualness. "Oh, and if you happen to speak with your brother, tell him I need to see him at 10 AM. Separately."
The call ended before Aidan could respond.
"It's a trap," Elijah said immediately.
"Obviously," Aidan agreed. "But it might be our only chance to get into the building and access the main server."
Maya shook her head. "Too dangerous. He's probably figured out we've been digging through old files."
"Or maybe he's fishing," Asher suggested. "He suspects something but doesn't know what."
They argued late into the night. Eventually, an unexpected plan emerged.

The next morning, Victor Carter sat behind his massive desk, watching the city wake up through floor-to-ceiling windows. His office occupied the entire top floor of Carter Tower, a sanctuary of power where he'd crushed countless opponents.
A soft knock announced his 8 AM appointment.
"Come in," Victor called, not turning from the window.
Aidan entered, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. "You wanted to see me, Father?"
Victor gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit."
Aidan sat, keeping his face carefully neutral despite the hammering of his heart.
"I've been reviewing security footage," Victor began casually. "Interesting things happen in this building after hours."
"I wouldn't know," Aidan replied. "I've been working from home lately."
Victor slid a tablet across the desk. On screen, a figure that looked like Aidan moved through the company archives at 2 AM three nights ago.
"That's not possible," Aidan said, frowning at the footage. "I was with—" He stopped himself.
Victor's eyebrow raised. "With whom, son?"
"With a friend," Aidan finished lamely.
"A friend," Victor repeated, leaning forward. "Would this friend happen to be Elijah Hart?"
Aidan kept his expression blank. "I'm not sure who you mean."
Victor stood, walking slowly around the desk. "Don't play dumb, Aidan. It doesn't suit you." He perched on the desk edge, looming over his son. "Dark hair, intense eyes, has a particular interest in Carter family history?"
"Sounds like half the people in New Haven," Aidan deflected.
Victor's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Here's what puzzles me. This man appears in both your life and your brother's at exactly the same time. Quite a coincidence."
"New Haven is a small city."
"Not that small." Victor tapped the tablet, changing to a new image—Elijah entering Aidan's apartment building. "What do you know about him, really?"
"He's just someone I've been seeing," Aidan said, striving for nonchalance. "Nothing serious."
Victor studied his son's face. "Has he asked questions about the company? About me?"
"Everyone asks about Carter Enterprises. We're the biggest employer in the city."
Victor returned to his chair, pressing his fingertips together. "I worry about you, Aidan. You've always been the trusting one. People take advantage of that."
"Is that all, Father? I have meetings scheduled."
Victor waved his hand. "Go. But be careful who you let into your life. Not everyone is who they appear to be."
Aidan stood, keeping his breathing even. At the door, Victor's voice stopped him.
"Oh, and Aidan? Tell your brother I'm looking forward to our chat."

Two hours later, Asher sat in the same chair, facing his father.
"You're looking tired, Asher," Victor observed. "Late nights?"
Asher gave his trademark easy smile. "You know me. Work hard, play harder."
"Yes, I do know you," Victor agreed. "Which is why your recent behavior concerns me."
"What behavior would that be?"
Victor opened a folder. "Three missed board meetings. Canceling the Tokyo trip. And most concerning—" he pushed a photo across the desk, "—spending time with this man."
Asher glanced at the photo—Elijah and him outside a café, deep in conversation.
"Are you monitoring my social life now?" Asher asked, anger edging his voice.
"I monitor potential threats to this family," Victor corrected. "Elijah Hart is not who you think he is."
Asher fought to keep his expression neutral. "And who do I think he is?"
"A convenient rebound after your last relationship failed? A new plaything?" Victor leaned forward. "He's using you, Asher. And Aidan too, apparently."
Asher's stomach tightened. "You spoke to Aidan about this?"
"Of course. I'm concerned about both my sons." Victor's eyes narrowed. "Did you think I wouldn't notice you both involved with the same man? It's sloppy, even for you."
Asher shrugged. "It's the twenty-first century, Father. People have complicated relationships."
"This isn't about your lifestyle choices," Victor snapped. "It's about security. This man has been asking questions about our family. About your mother."
"Maybe I asked him to," Asher challenged. "Maybe I want to know what really happened to her."
Victor's face hardened. "Careful, Asher. You're treading on dangerous ground."
"Why? Because I might find out the truth?"
"The truth," Victor scoffed. "You wouldn't recognize the truth if it slapped you in the face." He stood abruptly. "Stay away from Elijah Hart. That's not a request."
Asher rose to his feet. "Or what?"
"Or I'll be forced to take measures to protect this family." Victor's voice was ice. "Even from its own members."

In a coffee shop across the street, Maya and Elijah watched the Carter Tower through binoculars.
"They've been in there too long," Elijah worried, checking his watch.
Maya's phone buzzed with a text. "It's done. Asher's heading out now."
Elijah relaxed slightly. "Did he get it?"
"Yes," Maya confirmed. "He planted the bug in Victor's office while Aidan distracted security with a 'system glitch' in R&D."
They watched as Asher exited the building, walking briskly down the street without looking back.
"Now we wait," Elijah said, taking a sip of cold coffee.
Maya's expression remained troubled. "Victor's suspicious. This could blow up in our faces."
"It already has," Elijah reminded her. "But at least now we can hear what he's planning."
Across town, in Victor's private lab beneath the east wing of his mansion, Alex stood before a wall of monitors showing different rooms in the Carter Tower.
"Did they take the bait?" he asked without turning.
A figure emerged from the shadows—the same person who had been with Victor in the helicopter.
"Just as you predicted," they replied. "The twins think they've outsmarted him."
Alex smiled, the scar on his face twisting with the expression. "And the summer house?"
"Already under surveillance. They'll lead us right to what Catherine hid."
"Good." Alex stepped closer to one particular monitor showing Victor in his office. "Everything is proceeding according to plan."
On the screen, Victor looked directly at the hidden camera, his lips curving in a knowing smile. He held up a small black device—the bug Asher had planted.
Then he mouthed three words directly to whoever might be watching:
"I see you."