Dark Secrets

The price of knowing

Chapter Six – The Price of Knowing

Theo didn’t sleep that night.

Back in his apartment, he sat at his desk, staring at the photograph Murphy had given him. The cracked heart symbol burned into his mind, a silent warning.

He should have felt triumphant—he was closer to the truth than anyone had ever gotten. But all he felt was a growing sense of dread.

Murphy had said it himself.

Anyone who gets too close disappears.

A knock on his window nearly made him jump out of his skin.

Theo spun around, reaching for the pocket knife he kept in his desk. But when he saw who it was, he exhaled sharply.

Callum.

He was leaning against the fire escape, one eyebrow raised. “Relax, Sinclair. If I wanted to kill you, I’d have done it already.”

Theo rolled his eyes but moved to unlock the window. “That’s not reassuring.”

Callum climbed inside, shaking rainwater from his jacket. “Figured you’d still be awake. Thought I’d drop by before you do something stupid.”

Theo folded his arms. “Like what?”

“Like storming into Sinclair Tower demanding answers.” Callum smirked. “You’ve got that look.”

Theo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what my next move is.”

Callum studied him for a moment, then leaned against the desk, his usual cockiness softening into something else.

“You don’t have to do this alone, you know.”

Theo blinked. “What?”

Callum shrugged. “You’re a damn good journalist, but you’re also stubborn as hell. I get it—you want the truth, no matter the cost. But whatever’s behind that vault door? It’s big enough to get you killed.”

Theo looked away. “You think I don’t know that?”

Callum was quiet for a moment, then stepped closer. “Then let me help.”

Theo swallowed. Callum had already done more than enough, putting himself at risk just by being around him. But the idea of facing this alone—of walking straight into the fire with no one to pull him back—was almost unbearable.

He met Callum’s gaze. “Okay.”

Callum’s smirk returned, but there was something softer in his eyes. “Good. Because if you’re gonna get yourself killed, I’d rather be there to at least make it interesting.”

Theo shook his head, but for the first time in days, a small, genuine smile crossed his lips.

It wasn’t much.

But in a city like this, it was enough.

Chapter Seven – A Deal with the Devil

Morning came too soon.

Theo had barely shut his eyes when the sound of his phone vibrating against his nightstand pulled him back into reality. He groaned, reaching for it, his heart sinking when he saw the caller ID.

Unknown Number.

He hesitated. Then, taking a steadying breath, he answered.

A voice, low and calm, slid through the speaker.

“I believe we need to talk, Mr. Sinclair.”

Theo stiffened. He knew that voice.

Elias Sinclair.

His mind raced. How the hell did Elias have his number? And why was he calling instead of sending some hired muscle to deal with him?

Theo sat up, forcing his voice to stay steady. “Funny, I don’t remember scheduling a meeting.”

Elias chuckled, the sound rich and full of amusement. “You’ve been asking all the wrong people all the wrong questions. But I have a proposition for you.”

Theo’s grip tightened on the phone. “I’m listening.”

“I assume you’d rather discuss this somewhere more… appropriate?” Elias continued. “Come to Sinclair Tower. Eleven o’clock. My office.”

Theo’s gut twisted. Walking into Elias Sinclair’s office was like stepping into a lion’s den with raw meat strapped to your chest.

And yet…

This was it.

A direct line to the man at the center of everything.

Before Theo could answer, the line clicked dead.

Callum, still half-asleep on the couch, groaned. “Tell me that wasn’t what I think it was.”

Theo exhaled. “Elias Sinclair wants to meet.”

Callum sat up immediately, his exhaustion vanishing. “That’s a trap.”

“Probably.”

Callum swore under his breath. “So, what’s the plan?”

Theo ran a hand through his hair, his mind already calculating. “I go. I hear what he has to say.”

Callum stared at him. “You’re serious?”

“This is the best shot we have.” Theo met his gaze. “But I need you to have my back. If something goes wrong—”

“I’ll be watching,” Callum said, jaw tight. “But if you don’t walk out of there in one piece, I’m burning Sinclair Tower to the ground.”

Theo let out a breathless chuckle. “Noted.”

Callum didn’t smile. “Be careful, Sinclair.”

Theo nodded, but as he pulled on his jacket, he knew one thing for sure.

Careful wasn’t an option anymore.

He was stepping into the fire.

And he had no idea if he’d make it out alive.

Chapter Eight – The Devil’s Smile

Sinclair Tower loomed over the city like a god watching from above, its glass exterior reflecting the storm clouds rolling in. The security at the front barely spared Theo a glance before letting him through. They were expecting him.

That was never a good sign.

The elevator ride to the top floor was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the machinery. Each second that passed felt like a countdown to something inevitable.

When the doors finally slid open, Elias Sinclair was already waiting.

His office was exactly what Theo expected—sprawling, luxurious, and designed to intimidate. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Crescent City, the skyline stretching infinitely behind him. A sleek bar sat to one side, untouched. The room smelled of expensive leather and power.

And there, standing behind his massive desk, was Elias Sinclair.

Dressed in a tailored dark suit, he looked effortlessly composed, like a man who had never once worried about losing. His dark eyes flicked over Theo with amusement before he gestured to the chair across from him.

“Mr. Sinclair,” Elias said smoothly. “Or do you prefer Theo?”

Theo didn’t sit. “I prefer honesty.”

Elias chuckled, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. “Honesty? In this city? That’s a rare thing to ask for.”

Theo crossed his arms. “Then why am I here?”

Elias took a slow sip before setting the glass down. “Because you’ve been reckless. And because I respect ambition.”

Theo stiffened. “I don’t need your respect.”

Elias smiled. “No, but you do need answers.”

Theo’s pulse quickened.

Elias gestured toward the skyline. “Crescent City is built on more than money. More than corruption. There are things buried beneath these streets—secrets that have existed for decades. My family has simply… ensured they remain buried.”

Theo clenched his fists. “The Heart of the City.”

Elias’s smirk faltered, just slightly.

So he did know something.

Theo pressed forward. “What is it? A vault? A weapon? A person?”

Elias studied him, swirling the whiskey in his glass. Then, to Theo’s shock, he stepped around the desk, closing the distance between them.

“You’re asking the wrong question,” Elias murmured. “The real question is—why do you care so much?”

Theo’s breath caught.

Elias was too close now, his presence suffocating, his gaze sharp enough to cut. There was something unsettlingly calm about him, as if he already knew every move Theo would make.

“I care,” Theo said, voice steady, “because people are dying for these secrets.”

Elias tilted his head. “And you think exposing them will change anything?”

Theo didn’t blink. “Yes.”

For the first time, Elias’s expression hardened.

Then, with an exhale, he stepped back. “You remind me of someone.”

Theo frowned. “Who?”

Elias met his gaze.

“My brother.”

The words landed like a punch.

Theo had spent weeks digging into the Sinclair family, and not once had he come across any mention of a brother.

Before he could respond, Elias turned back to his desk, pressing a button on his intercom.

“Bring it in.”

Theo tensed. Footsteps approached from the hallway.

The doors opened.

And then—

A figure was dragged inside.

Bound. Bruised. Gagged.

Theo’s stomach dropped.

Callum.