Rise Of Michael Jordan

Chapter 20

I leaned back against the damp wall, eyes fixed on Jessica.

“What about you?” I asked, my voice low. “What’s your plan going to be?”

Her lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “I’m gathering everything I can. Evidence, testimonies, anything that proves Milton for what he really is. The election is coming, Kael. He’s riding on a halo, the world sees him as a messiah. But if I play my cards right, when the world is watching, I’ll rip that halo from his head.”

I studied her, skeptical. “So I’m supposed to sit tight until that day comes? Wait for the show?”

Her gaze sharpened. “Unless you want another tragedy like six years ago,” she said flatly. “Back then, it was just your comrades who paid the price. But this time… you have a wife, a child, an elder brother. Do you want to see them burned in Milton’s game too?”

Her words stabbed sharper than any blade. I clenched my jaw, fighting the storm inside me.

Still, one thing gnawed at me. “There’s something that doesn’t add up,” I muttered. “Milton and the president. What the hell happened between them? What reason could be strong enough to turn allies into enemies?”

Jessica shook her head slowly. “I don’t know for sure. But, Kael…” She hesitated, then leaned forward. “Don’t put blind trust in Seraphina—or the president. Their actions are… off. Like they’re moving pieces we don’t see. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself their pawn as much as Milton’s.”

I gave a stiff nod. Her warning didn’t settle me—it only added another layer to the weight crushing my chest.

Then my phone buzzed. The name flashing on the screen made my heart tighten. Seraphina.

I answered.

Her voice slid through the line, crisp, urgent. “Kael, we’ve located Raven. I’ll send you the address immediately.”

“Alright,” I said. My tone carried no hesitation, but inside, my pulse had quickened.

The line went dead.

I turned back to Jessica. “I need to be somewhere.”

She raised a brow but didn’t press. “Then go.” A beat passed, then she tilted her head, a sly glint in her eye. “But before you leave… can I finally call you my partner?”

I snorted, shaking my head as I pushed off the wall. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” My sarcasm dripped like venom.

Her laugh followed me as I walked away. “You’ll come around, Kael. You always do.”

I didn’t bother to answer. I stepped into the night.

The streets was alive with music playing at the background . The pavement was still damp from a drizzle earlier. My boots struck quietly against the sidewalk as I walked, my hands tucked into my coat pockets.

The café came into view. Through the window I spotted Seraphina already inside, seated by the corner. She hadn’t seen me yet, but her posture was the same as always—back straight, one hand around a coffee cup, the other draped lightly over the chair.

I pushed open the door. The bell above chimed softly. Her eyes met mine immediately, sharp and unwavering.

I walked over, slid into the seat beside her. “What’s this all about?” I asked, my voice low. “And what’s the development on Raven?”

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she reached for a slim folder at her side and set it down in front of me. Her nails tapped the cardboard once, as if urging me to open it.

Inside were photographs. The first showed Raven stepping into a black sedan, his face caught clearly even though he tried to shield it. The second—him by the seaside, a cigarette pressed between his lips, the smoke curling around his face as if mocking the ocean breeze.

“He was seen at the local seaport,” Seraphina said evenly, her gaze still on me, watching my reaction. “He came in disguised aboard the MV Ironclad Voyager, a cargo ship. A few unknown men were with him. Our people traced him last on CCTV… then nothing. He disappeared. No one knows where he’s staying now.”

I stared at the photographs for a long moment, the edges digging into my fingertips. Then I exhaled sharply. “I saw him too. Two days ago. Lost him at Leighton Cross intersection. Slipped right through my grip.”

Seraphina’s lips pressed into a thin line. I looked at her. “Do we know why he’s here?”

She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. “Raven isn’t Malik Radwan. Malik’s obsession is chaos—killing people, spreading Black Serpent like a plague. Raven…” Her voice lowered, rougher now. “Raven sells weapons. And people. Human trafficking is his empire. If he’s here, it’s not by accident. He’s working something in the city.”

Her words sank into me like a stone in water. My jaw clenched.

“There’s one way to find him,” she added after a pause.

I raised my head. “Tell me.”

“The Silver Dusk Motel.” She let the name hang in the air, as if she knew it would sour on my tongue. “Reports say Raven works with the manager there. Sometimes he buys girls straight from that place.”

“I’ll go,” I said without hesitation.

“There’s a problem,” she countered immediately.

I frowned. “What problem?”

“If you show up alone, the guards outside won’t let you in. And if you fight your way in…” Her eyes narrowed. “We lose Raven before you even reach him.”

A short, humorless laugh escaped me. “Who said I planned on asking their permission?”

Her gaze sharpened. “And who said your recklessness won’t ruin everything? Can I make a suggestion?”

I turned to her fully, meeting her eyes. “Go on.”

“Take Miss Mia with you.”

For a second, I didn’t answer. The idea sat between us like an uninvited guest. Finally, I muttered, “Mia? Won’t that be too risky? Too dangerous? What if things spiral out of control?”

“There’ll be backup,” she said, her tone unyielding. “I’ll guarantee both of your safety.”

I leaned back, rubbing my thumb over the edge of the folder. “…I’ll think about it.”

“Fair enough,” she replied softly, though her eyes told me she believed she’d already won.

I stood, tucking the folder under my arm. “I’ll take my leave now.”

The night air outside was cooler, quieter. I walked home with my thoughts circling like vultures. But when I reached the house, I stopped cold. The lights were off. The door was locked.

I tried the handle again. Nothing.

“Where the hell are they?” I muttered, my chest tightening. I pulled out my phone and dialed Aria. It rang. Once. Twice. A dozen times, but there was no answer.

I stood there for a while, the silence pressing down harder than the city noise ever could. Finally, I turned and walked away, each step heavier than the last, until the company gates came back into view.

The dormitory loomed ahead. And then—

I stopped.

Mia was there.

She stood at the entrance, her arms folded, but not with impatience. Her eyes kept flicking to the road, then to the ground, then back again—as if she’d been waiting. Her brow was furrowed in quiet worry, her lips pressed tightly as though she was holding back words.

When her gaze lifted and landed on me, her shoulders dropped just slightly, though she quickly tried to mask it.

My heart thudded hard in my chest. Too hard.

The memory of what happened between us earlier echoed in my head. My pulse quickened as if my own body wanted to betray me.

I stood there a moment longer, staring at her, unable to shake the unease tightening around my ribs.

“Mia…”

Her voice cut through my thoughts before I even realized I’d stopped moving. She was already striding toward me, her eyes wide, her hair bouncing slightly as she quickened her pace.

“Kael!” she called again, this time closer.

When she reached me, she didn’t hesitate. Her hands came up, hovering near my arm like she was afraid to touch but couldn’t stop herself either. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice soft but urgent. “You didn’t get hurt tonight again, did you?”

Her concern hit me harder than I expected. For a second, I wanted to just nod and let her words be enough. But I couldn’t. Not tonight.

I stepped back, putting a small space between us. My chest tightened as I drew a slow breath. “Mia… I’m sorry,” I said, my voice lower than usual, almost unsteady. “But I have to say this. Once and for all.”

She blinked, confusion knitting her brows.

“I’m a father,” I went on. “A husband. I love my family more than anything, even if things aren’t easy between us right now. That part of my life… I don’t play with it. Not for anyone.”

Mia tilted her head, her lips parting slightly. “What is that supposed to mean, Kael?”

I forced myself to hold her gaze. “It means,” I said carefully, “that nothing can happen between us. Nothing more than what we are now—me, a guard appointed to protect you. That’s all it can ever be.”

For a beat, silence lingered. Then Mia’s face suddenly broke into a laugh—loud, unrestrained, the kind that made her bend slightly forward as she held her stomach.

I stared at her, startled. “Why are you laughing like that?” I asked, more sharply than I intended.

She wiped at her eyes, still giggling. “Kael, you’re… you’re so funny! What are you even talking about?”

I felt heat crawl up my neck, but I forced my tone steady. “I’m making myself clear. I don’t want things between us to get… confusing. So I’m defining it now. Guard. Nothing more.”

“Guard?” she repeated, breaking into another fit of laughter.

I exhaled hard and stepped aside. “I’ll excuse myself.”

Without waiting for her reply, I walked inside. But even as the dormitory door shut behind me, I could still hear her laughter echoing faintly outside.

Inside, I sat heavily on my bed, running a hand over my face. My heart was thudding—not from battle, but from sheer embarrassment. Damn it, Kael. The words I’d thrown at her replayed in my head, each one more awkward than the last.

I banged my fist lightly against the mattress. “i***t,” I muttered at myself.

That was when my eyes landed on the table.

A takeout bag sat there, neatly arranged, and the savory smell immediately filled the room. I stepped closer, lifting the lid. I could spot the chicken glistened with sauce, fried rice speckled with vegetables, and spring rolls wrapped golden and crisp. My stomach growled before I could stop it.

Beside the food, a note lay folded. I picked it up.

Eat this before you faint, Soldier. And don’t bang your poor bed too much—it didn’t do anything to you.

I stared at the words for a moment, then let out a laugh despite myself. I could almost hear her teasing voice in every line. My lips curved into a smile, small at first, then wider as I shook my head.

“Mia…” I muttered, but there was warmth in my voice this time.

My phone buzzed on the table. The smile faded as I picked it up. Seraphina’s name lit up the screen.

I pressed it to my ear. “I’m listening.”

Her voice came firm, businesslike. “Raven will be at the Silver Dusk Motel tomorrow. Eight p.m. He’s coming to make a purchase. Did you discuss this with Mia?”

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. “I’m not taking her there,” I said flatly. “It’s too risky.”

“Kael,” she replied, steady as steel. “Raven knows too many faces. He won’t wait if he spots you. But Mia? He knows nothing about her. Right now, she’s our best chance.”

I gritted my teeth. My gut twisted, but her words made sense, damn them.

“I can assure you,” she went on, “nothing will happen to her. We’ll be standby. If anything goes wrong, we step in.”

For a long moment, I said nothing. My jaw worked, my mind racing. Finally, I let out a slow breath. “Fine. I’ll talk to Mia. But you’d better keep your word, Seraphina. Nothing happens to her.”

“You have my word,” she said.

The line went dead.

I hesitated for a while, pacing back and forth in my room. The call with Seraphina still echoed in my head. I needed to talk to Mia—whether I wanted to or not. Finally, I stood up, my chest heavy, and stepped out into the dimly lit hallway.

Her door was just ahead. My hand was half-raised to knock when I noticed it—slightly ajar.

That froze me.

My instincts kicked in, something felt off. Without thinking, I pushed the door open wider and stepped inside—ready for anything. But what I saw stopped me in my tracks.

Mia had just stepped out from the bathroom. A towel was wrapped loosely around her, damp strands of her dark hair clinging to her shoulders. Droplets traced down her skin, catching the light of the bedside lamp.

My chest tightened. For a split second, I felt something raw, something I didn’t want to admit even to myself. Lust pressed hard at the back of my throat.

I turned sharply away, my face burning. “Why didn’t you lock the door?” I muttered, harsher than I intended.

“I… I didn’t realize it wasn’t locked,” she said, her voice calm but carrying a note of curiosity. “Why are you here, Kael?”

I swallowed. My hands curled into fists at my sides. I wanted to face her, to explain, but when I glanced over my shoulder I caught the way she was watching me—eyes unblinking, searching, almost vulnerable but with a spark of something else I couldn’t name. I turned back quickly, staring at the wall.

“I came because I have something important to tell you,” I said, my voice low. “But seeing you like this… I think it’s a bad time. I’ll come back later.”

Before I could step out, she suddenly closed the space between us and grabbed my arm. Her hand was warm, firm, refusing to let go.

“What is happening to you lately?” she demanded, her brows furrowed. “Why are you avoiding me like this? And earlier—what you said—it’s confusing, Kael. All of it. Do you care to explain?”

Her closeness made it harder to breathe. My mind screamed to break free, but my heart stuttered. I forced myself to speak.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “But right now… isn’t the time. Tomorrow, Mia. I’ll explain tomorrow.”

I tried to step away, but she rushed after me, her grip tightening on my hand. “Don’t walk away again,” she said, her voice breaking somewhere between frustration and desperation.

I didn’t answer. I pulled the door open and stepped into the hallway—and froze.

Aria was standing there.

Her eyes fell on me, then on Mia… still in her towel… our hands intertwined. For a long, breathless second, no one moved.

My heart sank into my stomach.

“Aria…” I said, my voice faltering. I wanted to ask why she was here, but the words died on my lips.

Her face was pale, her eyes shining with something that looked like betrayal. She whispered, “I’m sorry for coming at this hour.” Then she turned, almost stumbling, and left.

“Aria!” I called after her, panic slicing through me. I shook Mia’s hand free and rushed after her, my feet pounding against the floor.

I caught up and grabbed her wrist. “Wait, please!”

She stopped, slowly turning to me. Her eyes glistened as though she had been holding back tears. I saw it—saw the pain swimming there, threatening to spill.

“Aria…” I breathed.

She wiped at her face quickly, her voice trembling but edged with resolve. “Kael… just wait. Wait until Liam gets better. Until then… we’ll divorce each other.”

The words hit me like a blade to the chest. “What? What are you talking about?”

She looked back at me, a mix of sadness and bitterness in her gaze. “How old is she, Kael? Mia. She’s young… beautiful…”

I shook my head furiously. “What are you saying? Listen to me—whatever you’re thinking, none of it is real. None of it!”

“Don’t lie to me,” she cut in sharply, her voice cracking. “I’m not ready for your excuses. Not now.”

“Aria…” I said again, softer this time, almost pleading.

She wiped her eyes once more, trying to steady herself. “I wasn’t with my phone earlier when you called. I took Liam to a recovery house—it was recommended by the doctor. They say it’s good for people after surgery. That’s where we were.”

Her words stung even deeper—she hadn’t abandoned me, she had been taking care of Liam.

She turned slightly, ready to leave. My chest tightened. I grabbed her hand again. “Aria, wait—”

But she pulled her hand away, shaking her head. And then she walked off into the night, leaving me standing there in silence.