Chapter 9 – Quiet Wars
432 Words
Amira didn’t return home that night.
She stayed at the safe house, curtains drawn, mind loud. The deal with the Russians had gone smoother than she expected. Too smooth. It made her skin itch. In this world, silence usually meant a trap was already being set.
She didn’t sleep. Just sat there on the floor, knees pulled to her chest, watching the city lights flicker outside like dying stars. Her phone buzzed at 4 AM.
From Lucien: “Did they bite?”
Her fingers hovered over the screen. Then she typed
“They bit. Hard.”
No reply.
Back at the mansion, Rhea was waiting at the front gate, arms crossed, face tense.
Where’ve you been
Working
You could’ve at least checked in
I’m not a pet Rhea
The woman sighed and stepped aside. Amira brushed past her.
Inside, the house was colder than usual. Something had shifted. She could feel it in the air, like a storm hiding behind polished floors and silent guards.
Lucien was in his office, sleeves rolled up again, bruises darker this time.
She didn’t knock. Just walked in.
You’re bleeding again
He didn’t look up from the papers
They caught one of our suppliers skimming from the crates
And you handled it
I always do
She stood still, eyes on him
You didn’t call me in. Why
Because I needed you rested
That’s not why
Lucien looked up
Because I wanted to see if you'd come back
She blinked once
Did you think I wouldn’t
You’re getting good at making your own moves
And that’s a problem
It’s a fact
They stared at each other for a long moment
Then he said
The Russians respect you
They respect power. I just knew how to wear it long enough
Lucien stepped around the desk
What do you want, Amira
Power. Control. Or do you still just want safety
She answered without thinking
I want to stop flinching every time someone knocks on my door
Lucien nodded like he understood too well
Then don’t wait for it. Kick it down yourself
By the afternoon, word spread fast.
The Russians had signed the agreement. Crates were already being shipped. Moretti’s name was echoing across rival territories.
But with power came shadows.
That night, a black SUV was spotted parked three blocks from the mansion. No plates. Tinted windows. It didn’t belong to the Russians or Lucien’s men.
Amira saw it from the rooftop balcony.
She didn’t alert the guards.
She just lit a match, let it burn out on her fingertips, and whispered
Let them come
She was ready.
- Writer
