Amidst the Flames

Chapter 3: Shadows Of The Past

Sophia Hayes stood near the large bay window, her arms wrapped tightly around her slender frame. Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting pale silver streaks across the polished hardwood floor. Lena Carter watched her carefully from the corner of the room, noting the tension in Sophia’s shoulders, the shallow rise and fall of her chest.

“You said you’d tell us everything,” Lena said, her tone sharp but steady.

Sophia’s gaze flicked toward her, hesitation darkening her blue eyes. Ethan Knight leaned casually against the wall nearby, his suit jacket unbuttoned and his hands tucked into his pockets. His eyes, however, were razor-sharp beneath the façade of ease.

“I can’t,” Sophia murmured.

Lena’s jaw tightened. “Then Voss will come back. Next time, we might not be able to stop him.”

Sophia turned toward them, her face pale. “You don’t understand.”

“Then make us understand,” Ethan said, stepping closer. His voice was low, coaxing—but laced with steel.

Sophia’s lips parted, but no sound came out. Her gaze darted toward the floor.

“Someone on the inside gave Voss the layout of the estate,” Lena said. “They knew exactly where the weak points were. Exactly where to strike.”

Sophia’s hands trembled. “I know.”

Lena’s eyes narrowed. “How?”

Sophia’s chest rose and fell sharply as she struggled for breath. Finally, she whispered, “Because Marco has someone working for him.”

Lena’s pulse quickened. “Inside the estate?”

“No,” Sophia said. “Inside my father’s political circle.”

Ethan straightened. “Your father?”

Sophia’s arms tightened around herself. “Marco is blackmailing me,” she said quietly.

Lena’s heart slammed against her ribcage. “With what?”

Sophia’s eyes glittered with unshed tears. “My father…” She swallowed hard. “He made a deal. Years ago. When he was running for office.”

Lena and Ethan exchanged a sharp glance.

“What kind of deal?” Ethan asked.

Sophia’s throat worked as she fought to keep her composure. “Marco funded parts of his campaign.”

Lena’s breath hitched. “Marco Voss?”

Sophia nodded. “Through shell companies. My father took the money—he had no idea where it was coming from at first. But once he found out, it was too late. He couldn’t back out without destroying his career. Marco has been using that leverage ever since.”

“And you knew?” Lena’s voice was cold.

Sophia’s chin lifted, even as her lower lip trembled. “I found out a few months ago. Marco approached me directly. He said if I didn’t cooperate—if I didn’t give him access to certain political contacts—he would expose my father.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Cooperate how?”

Sophia’s gaze dropped. “He wanted access to information—government files, security clearances. I refused. That’s when the threats started.”

Lena’s mind spun. This wasn’t just about Sophia—this was bigger. Political corruption. Blackmail. Marco had his hooks deep, and Sophia’s father was the perfect leverage.

“And you think someone in your father’s circle is helping Marco?” Lena asked.

Sophia nodded, her expression taut with fear. “Yes.”

“Who?” Ethan pressed.

Sophia’s lips thinned. “I don’t know.”

Lena’s eyes narrowed. “But you suspect someone.”

Sophia’s silence was confirmation enough.

“Tell us,” Ethan said.

Sophia shook her head. “I can’t. If I accuse the wrong person—”

Lena’s jaw tightened. “If you don’t tell us, Marco will win. He’ll keep coming until he gets what he wants.”

Sophia’s eyes filled with tears. “Don’t you think I know that?”

Lena stepped closer. “Then give us something.”

Sophia’s gaze wavered. “There’s a name,” she whispered. “Someone my father met with often before the last campaign.”

Ethan’s brows lifted. “Who?”

Sophia hesitated, then said, “Matthew Cain.”

Lena’s eyes flashed. “Cain?”

Sophia nodded. “My father trusted him. But I overheard Cain speaking with Marco once. I didn’t catch the whole conversation, but it sounded… dangerous.”

Lena’s pulse raced. Matthew Cain was a high-level political strategist—if he was connected to Marco, that would explain how Marco was getting information.

“We’ll look into it,” Ethan said, his voice hard.

Sophia’s eyes widened. “Be careful. If Cain is working for Marco…”

“We can handle it,” Lena said.

Sophia exhaled shakily, running her hands over her arms. “Now you know why Marco wants me alive.”

Ethan’s gaze darkened. “To keep control over your father.”

Sophia’s nod was almost imperceptible.

Lena’s mind was already moving ahead. Cain. If he was feeding Marco information, they needed to cut that line before Marco could strike again.

“We’ll protect you,” Lena said. “But you need to tell us everything from now on.”

Sophia’s eyes glimmered with fragile trust. “Okay.”

An hour later, Lena stood in the estate’s security room, scanning the camera feeds. Ethan stood beside her, his arms crossed.

“Cain,” Lena said. “He’s the key.”

Ethan’s gaze was hard. “If he’s working for Marco, we’ll have to move fast.”

Lena’s fingers tightened against the edge of the console. “We need to confirm it first.”

“I can make a few calls,” Ethan said.

Lena shot him a look. “Illegal calls?”

Ethan’s smile was sharp. “I prefer to call them… off-the-record.”

Lena didn’t push. They needed answers, and Ethan was good at getting them.

“I’ll dig into Cain’s background,” Lena said. “See if anything connects him directly to Marco.”

“You think he’s working alone?”

Lena’s eyes narrowed. “No.”

Ethan’s gaze sharpened. “Someone else?”

Lena’s gut told her there was more. “Marco isn’t sloppy. He wouldn’t rely on just one person.”

Ethan’s smile was dangerous. “Then we’d better start digging.”

Lena turned toward him. Their gazes locked, tension crackling in the charged silence.

“For once, I’m glad you’re here,” Lena admitted grudgingly.

Ethan’s smile widened. “Careful, Carter. I might think you like working with me.”

Lena’s eyes flashed. “Don’t get used to it.”

Ethan’s laugh was low. “Too late.”

Lena turned back to the monitors. The estate was quiet. Too quiet.

“We need to move fast,” Lena said. “Before Marco makes his next move.”

Ethan’s expression sharpened. “Agreed.”

A faint knock at the door made them both tense. The guard opened it, stepping aside as Holt strode in. His gaze was hard.

“Report,” Holt said.

Lena straightened. “Sophia confirmed Marco is blackmailing her using her father’s past political dealings. We have a lead—Matthew Cain. Possible inside connection.”

Holt’s eyes darkened. “Cain’s been on the radar before.”

Ethan’s brows lifted. “And?”

“Nothing concrete,” Holt said. “But if he’s connected to Marco, you need to find proof—and fast.”

Lena nodded. “We’re on it.”

Holt’s gaze lingered on them both. “I don’t need to remind you—this goes beyond Sophia. If Marco has leverage at that level, the fallout could be catastrophic.”

“We won’t let it get that far,” Ethan said.

Holt’s gaze sharpened. “See that you don’t.”

As Holt left, Lena turned toward Ethan.

“I’ll start with Cain,” Ethan said. “You focus on the estate’s security. If Marco’s men try to breach it again—”

“They won’t get close,” Lena said.

Their eyes met.

“For once,” Ethan said, “we’re on the same side.”

Lena’s lips curled. “Let’s keep it that way.”