The tension in the safe house grew thick as the team regrouped, their nerves frayed from the night’s close call with Leo’s men. Elise sat quietly in her makeshift cell, her calm exterior masking the calculating thoughts that churned behind her eyes. 
Blair stood before the team, her face a mix of determination and exhaustion. “We’re running out of time. Elise’s information is thin, but it’s a start. Maya, I want you to focus all efforts on tracking this freelancer. If we can find him, we’ll have leverage on Vincent.” 
Maya nodded, her fingers already flying over her keyboard. “Got it. But it won’t be easy. If he’s as good as Elise claims, we’ll need more than luck to find him.” 
Blair turned to Lena, who had finally regained her full strength. “Lena, I need you back in the CEO seat tomorrow. Vincent’s not just attacking us physically—he’s trying to cripple the company too. If we don’t fight back on all fronts, we’ll lose everything.” 
Lena hesitated. “What about you? You can’t keep leading this mission and running the company.” 
“I won’t,” Blair said, her voice firm. “You’re stronger than you think, Lena. You can do this.” 
Jax leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “And what about Leo? He’s not going to back off, Blair. The next time he catches up with us, he won’t hesitate.” 
Blair’s eyes darkened. “Then we’ll make sure there isn’t a next time.” 
In Vincent’s hideout, Leo paced furiously. The failed ambush at the hotel had left him seething. His father watched him, an amused smile playing on his lips. 
“She’s more slippery than you thought, isn’t she?” Vincent said, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. 
Leo’s fists clenched. “She’s reckless. She’s putting everyone around her in danger just to chase some delusion of justice.” 
Vincent raised an eyebrow. “And yet, she’s always one step ahead. That’s what makes her dangerous. But don’t worry—I have a plan.” 
Leo stopped pacing, his interest piqued. “What plan?” 
Vincent handed him a folder. “This will force her hand. If she’s so desperate for revenge, let’s see how far she’s willing to go to protect the people she loves.” 
Leo opened the folder and froze. Inside was a list of Blair’s close associates—Maya, Jax, Lena, and even the late Kai. Vincent’s next target was clear: anyone who mattered to Blair. 
Back at the safe house, Blair decided to confront Elise one more time. The woman’s smug demeanor grated on her nerves, but Blair knew Elise held pieces of the puzzle they desperately needed. 
Blair sat across from her, her gaze steady. “You can keep playing games, Elise, but you know as well as I do that Vincent doesn’t tolerate loose ends. He’ll come for you eventually.” 
Elise’s smirk faltered, just slightly. “I know how to take care of myself.” 
“Do you?” Blair leaned forward, her voice cold. “Because the moment you stop being useful to him, you’re dead. Work with us, and I can offer you protection. Refuse, and you’ll end up as another of Vincent’s casualties.” 
Elise studied her, the wheels turning in her mind. Finally, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll tell you what I know. But if you double-cross me, you won’t live to regret it.” 
With Elise’s help, the team uncovered a critical piece of intel: the freelancer who killed Kai went by the codename “Specter.” He was a ghost, moving through the underworld with precision and anonymity. Elise claimed to know his next target—a high-profile tech mogul in the city. 
“We’ll intercept him,” Blair decided. “If we can catch him in the act, we’ll have the proof we need to expose Vincent.” 
Jax frowned. “It’s risky. Specter won’t go down without a fight.” 
“I’m not asking for permission,” Blair said. “This is our best shot.” 
The team set their plan into motion, staking out the tech mogul’s estate where Specter was rumored to strike. The tension was suffocating as they waited, each moment stretching into an eternity. 
Finally, a shadow moved in the distance. Blair’s heart raced as she signaled to the others. 
“Target spotted,” Maya whispered through the comms. “Moving in.” 
Blair and Jax moved silently through the estate, their eyes locked on the figure ahead. But as they closed the distance, something felt off. 
“Wait,” Blair hissed. “This isn’t right.” 
Too late. A deafening explosion rocked the estate, throwing them off their feet. Specter had anticipated their ambush and set a trap of his own.
Back at the safe house, the team licked their wounds, both physically and emotionally. The failed mission had been a devastating blow, and Specter’s elusiveness only deepened their frustration. 
Blair sat in silence, her mind racing. Vincent’s shadow loomed larger than ever, and now Leo’s hatred threatened to destroy everything she had fought for. 
“We’ll get him,” Maya said softly, placing a hand on Blair’s shoulder. “We always do.” 
Blair nodded, though doubt gnawed at her. “I hope you’re right.”
Meanwhile, Leo stood on a rooftop overlooking the city, his mind a whirlwind of anger and regret. He clutched a photo of himself and Blair from years ago, their smiles a painful reminder of what they once had. 
“Why do you hesitate?” Vincent’s voice crackled through his earpiece. 
Leo sighed. “She’s reckless, but she’s not evil. You don’t know her like I do.” 
“She’s your enemy now,” Vincent said coldly. “And if you can’t see that, then maybe I’ve chosen the wrong person to finish this.” 
Leo clenched his fists, his hatred for Blair reigniting. “No. I’ll handle it. She’ll pay for what she’s done.”