Double Betrayal: Shadows Of Vengeance

Aurora remained cold. "Proof?"

Dorian exhaled and lowered the gun completely. "I deserve to die if I'm lying. But listen first. Valerio had four people who knew that schedule. Me, Liam, Vixen, and a tech guy named Tyrus."

"And you're sure it wasn't the others?" Aurora asked, her voice unwavering.

"Liam was with me the entire night before it happened. Tyrus... he's too much of a coward to touch something this big. But Vixen-"

Aurora narrowed her eyes. "Vixen is Valerio's most loyal man."

Dorian shook his head slowly. "Loyalty doesn't always mean faithfulness."

Aurora restrained herself from shooting the wall behind him. She'd known Vixen only briefly long enough to know he was smart, efficient, and... unreadable. But a traitor?

She steadied her breathing. "If Vixen really leaked the information... why is the boss still alive?"

"Because he wants Valerio alive," Dorian replied instantly.

Aurora frowned. "That doesn't make sense."

"Not yet." Dorian met her gaze, his eyes dark. "But there's another reason. Vixen has his own agenda."

As if reading her thoughts, Dorian added, "I know you don't believe me. But listen to this, Aurora. Vixen has been watching you since the first day you showed up."

Aurora clenched her jaw. "Why?"

Dorian gave a slight shrug. "No idea. But he's been asking about you. To a lot of people. Even before Valerio noticed your abilities."

Aurora held her breath. The question cut deeper than she expected.

"How do you know all this?" she pressed.

Dorian hesitated. "Because I spy on everyone. Including Valerio. That's actually my job."

Aurora's gaze sharpened. "You spy on your own boss?"

"For his safety," Dorian replied calmly. "To make sure there are no traitors. Ironically, now only you and I know who the real traitor is."

Aurora lowered her gun slightly. Only slightly. One thing was clear in her mind if Dorian wanted to kill her, he would've done it already. Still, she couldn't afford to drop her guard.

"What's your plan?" Aurora asked.

"Tell Valerio," Dorian said. "But I can't. He'll shoot me first. That's how he works."

Aurora knew he was right. Valerio always shot first and asked questions later.

"So?" she prompted.

"So I need you," Dorian said firmly. "You're close to Valerio now. And he's paying attention to you."

Aurora flinched. "What do you mean?"

Dorian looked at her intently, as if saying you already know.

"He's watching you," he repeated. "And that makes you dangerous to certain people."

Aurora didn't like where this was going. "I'm just a new recruit."

"And that's exactly what's strange," Dorian said. "Valerio usually lets recruits die within the first week. But you-"

Aurora looked away for a moment, feeling something she hated creeping into her chest.

"-you're not an ordinary recruit," Dorian finished.

She ignored that. "If Vixen really is the traitor, why hasn't he run?"

"Because he's not finished yet," Dorian said quietly. "And because he's sure no one suspects him."

Aurora tightened her grip on the gun. "Then what's the next move?"

Dorian stared at her seriously. "You have to tell Valerio."

Aurora glared. "You just said he'll kill you."

"That's right," Dorian replied. "But he won't kill you."

Aurora frowned. "Why?"

Dorian raised one eyebrow. "Because... for some reason, Valerio sees you as a valuable asset."

Aurora resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm nobody's asset."

Dorian gave a thin smile. "You think so."

Suddenly-

Braak!

Glass shattered. Aurora ducked instantly. So did Dorian. A bullet slammed into the wooden shelf behind her. She snapped her head toward the warehouse's side window. A black shadow sprinted outside.

"He knows!" Dorian shouted.

Aurora didn't hesitate. She vaulted over the wooden table, sprinted toward the shattered window, and jumped out without a second thought. Rain slammed into her face as she hit the ground. She spotted a silhouette running between massive containers. Without waiting for orders ironic, considering Valerio's threats Aurora gave chase.

Her feet hit fast and light. Her body moved like a shadow. The rain made the asphalt slick, but she was used to that. Another shot rang out. Aurora dropped, rolled, and sprang back up without slowing. The figure wore a black coat. Moved fast. Too fast for a normal person. Aurora focused. It wasn't Vixen. Smaller build. Lighter.

She raised her gun and fired once. The bullet skimmed close to the figure's leg a warning. The figure veered into a narrow alley beside the warehouse. Aurora followed. When she reached the alley, it was empty. Impossible.

She advanced cautiously, breathing steady, gun raised. The alley was narrow, with only one exit. No doors. No hiding places. She pushed through the curtain of rain. Nothing.

"I lost them..." she muttered.

That had never happened to her. Aurora turned back toward the warehouse. Dorian was still there, clutching his shoulder where a bullet had grazed him.

"Who was that?" Aurora asked sharply.

Dorian shook his head. "Not Vixen. But definitely his person."

Aurora exhaled hard. "He tried to kill us."

"No," Dorian said. "He tried to make sure we don't talk."

Aurora realized something. "If he didn't kill us... that means he's buying time."

Dorian nodded. "Because Vixen is doing something tonight."

A chill ran down Aurora's spine. Killer instinct. Survival instinct. The instinct that told her time was almost gone.

"We have to get back to the mansion," Aurora said.

"Too late," Dorian's voice trembled not from fear, but from certainty.

Aurora stared at him. "What do you mean?"

Dorian looked out at the rain, his gaze dark, as if seeing a future they didn't want.

"If I'm right," he said quietly, "Valerio is in danger right now."

Aurora stopped breathing for a split second. And in that instant, fear, rage, and something she refused to admit ignited in her chest. Without waiting for Dorian, Aurora ran out of the warehouse. She didn't care about the rain.

Didn't care about the night. Didn't care about anyone else. Only one thought burned in her mind.

"If Vixen lays a hand on Valerio... I'll hunt him down myself."