Chapter 5 The Hunt Begins

Chapter 5: The Hunt Begins.

Monica's heart pounded as she stared at the message on her phone. You should have stayed in the shadows. Now, it's too late.

She looked up at Gad, her pulse racing. "They know we're here."

Gad's jaw tightened. "We need to move. Now."

They hurried toward the car, their movements quick but controlled. Blowing their cover would only make things worse. Gad unlocked the doors, and as soon as Monica slid inside, he started the engine.

"Where do we go?" she asked.

"Somewhere we can regroup. They'll be expecting us to run, so we do the opposite." Gad's grip on the steering wheel was firm. "We go hunting."

Monica exhaled sharply. "And our first target?"

Gad's eyes darkened. "Victor Langley."

The drive was silent, tension thick between them. Monica's mind raced with possibilities. Langley had seen her, recognized her, and sent a warning. Which meant he wasn't running.

He was ready for her.

Gad pulled into an underground garage beneath an old, abandoned office building. "We'll be safe here for a while."

Monica stepped out, glancing around. "So, what's the plan?"

Gad pulled out his phone, accessing a secured server. "Langley's been careful, but we know he's involved with Solace Industries. If we can find where he's staying tonight, we might be able to get to him before he disappears."

Monica crossed her arms. "And how do we do that? He knows we're coming. He won't make it easy."

Gad smirked. "We make some noise."

He typed a few commands into his phone, and a moment later, Monica's own device vibrated with an alert. A breaking news notification popped up on the screen.

Solace Industries' Offshore Accounts Hacked – Millions in Illegal Funds Exposed

Her eyes widened. "You just-"

"Cracked open one of their smaller accounts and leaked the info to the press," Gad confirmed. "Now Langley and his people will be scrambling. Which means we'll know exactly where they go next."

Monica couldn't help but grin. "Not bad."

"I have my moments." Gad leaned back. "Now we wait."

Less than an hour later, Monica's phone buzzed again. Her contact had sent her a location.

Langley spotted. Hotel Crestview. Presidential Suite.

Monica met Gad's gaze. "We have him."

Gad nodded. "Let's finish this."

The Hotel Crestview was one of the most luxurious buildings in the city. Getting inside unnoticed wouldn't be easy, but Monica had spent years perfecting the art of blending in.

Dressed in a sleek black cocktail dress, she walked confidently through the lobby, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Gad, wearing a tailored suit, moved beside her, scanning the area without being obvious.

"Security's tight," he murmured. "Cameras everywhere. Guards stationed at every entrance to the upper floors."

Monica smiled as she approached the bar. "Then we go with Plan B."

She leaned against the counter, catching the bartender's eye. "I need a special delivery to the presidential suite."

The bartender raised a brow. "And who are you delivering to?"

Monica smirked. "Victor Langley. He's expecting me."

The man hesitated for a moment, then nodded, signaling to one of the hotel staff. A minute later, a uniformed employee approached her.

"Right this way, Miss."

Gad trailed a few steps behind as they were led to the private elevator. Monica's pulse quickened. They were about to walk straight into Langley's den.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Monica stepped out first, scanning the hallway. Two guards stood outside the suite door, their postures rigid.

"Miss, we need to check you before you enter," one of them said.

Monica smiled sweetly. "Of course."

As soon as the guard stepped forward, she struck. A swift knee to his stomach sent him doubling over, and before the second guard could react, Gad had him pinned against the wall, knocking him unconscious with a well-placed strike.

Monica exhaled. "Nice and quiet."

Gad smirked. "Told you, I clean up well."

She rolled her eyes and pushed open the door to the suite.

Inside, Victor Langley sat in a leather chair, sipping a glass of wine. He didn't even look surprised to see them.

"Monica," he greeted smoothly. "I was wondering when you'd come."

Monica kept her expression unreadable. "You've been expecting me."

Langley nodded. "Of course. Your parents were tenacious, but you? You're something else entirely."

Monica's fingers curled into fists. "You had them killed. And now you're trying to do the same to me."

Langley chuckled. "Monica, if I truly wanted you dead, do you think you would have made it this far?"

Gad stepped forward. "Then why keep her alive?"

Langley swirled his wine glass. "Because she has potential. Wasted potential, chasing ghosts. Your parents' deaths were unfortunate, yes, but they were a necessary part of a much bigger picture."

Monica's stomach twisted. "You're trying to justify murder?"

"I'm giving you a choice," Langley said. "You can continue this reckless vendetta, or you can step into the light. Work with me. I can give you power, resources-everything you need to survive."

Monica's blood boiled. "I'd rather die than work for you."

Langley sighed. "A shame. I had hoped you'd be more reasonable."

He snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, the side doors burst open, and armed men flooded the room.

Gad grabbed Monica's arm. "Time to go!"

They moved fast, dodging gunfire as they dove behind the furniture. Gad fired back, taking down two of the guards. Monica grabbed a fallen weapon, returning fire.

"Window!" Gad shouted.

Monica saw it-floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the city. No time to hesitate. She sprinted forward and crashed through the window, glass shattering around her as she plummeted toward the rooftop below.

Gad followed a split second later.

They hit the rooftop hard, rolling to absorb the impact. Pain shot through Monica's shoulder, but she ignored it, scrambling to her feet.

Above them, Langley stood at the broken window, watching them with an amused expression.

"Run all you want," he called down. "This isn't over."

Monica met his gaze, fire burning in her chest. "No, it's not."

Then she turned and ran.

Back at the safe house, Monica paced the room, adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

"He let us go," she said. "That wasn't a real fight."

Gad nodded. "Because he's not worried about us yet."

Monica clenched her fists. "Then we change that. He wants a war? We'll give him one."

Gad smirked. "Now you're thinking like a hunter."

Monica took a deep breath. She had started this to uncover the truth. But now, it was bigger than that.

Now, it was about taking Langley down for good.