“You’re insane.”
“Maybe. But there are operatives under his control. If I don’t report in, my cover is blown. And they’re as good as dead.”
Havoc’s expression twisted. Torn between fury and something darker. Grief, maybe. For the men trapped.
“He needs to believe I’m his most loyal weapon. It’s the only way to get close enough to pull them out from the inside.”
I observed them. Two men who’d spent years fighting Oblivion from different angles. Both exhausted. Both running on fumes and rage.
“You’re going back as a double agent.”
Hellhound held my gaze. “Once I can free those from the inside, then I’m done with Oblivion forever.”
The burden of that promise hung between us.
Havoc turned away. His fingers gripped the counter’s edge. Knuckles white.
“Fine. You go undercover. Play the loyal operative one more time.”
He turned back. Expression cold. Determined.
“But I’m done playing the game. No more rules. No more masters.” His smile was all teeth. Sharp. Vicious. “I’m going rogue. Full scorched earth.”
Hellhound’s features didn’t change. But something shifted in his gaze. Understanding, maybe. Or approval.
“I’m going to dig up that rat. Destroy his hole. Burn every financial thread holding his empire together.”
“Dresner’s money is his power. So, I’m going to bleed him dry. Strip him of resources. Leave him with nothing but ash and empty accounts, and expose all of those who dared fill his pockets.”
He studied Hellhound. Then me.
“No more half-measures. No more playing both sides. Full commitment to destroying Oblivion financially.”
I studied him. The determination carved into every line of his features. A man who’d spent years pretending to be Dresner’s weapon while plotting his downfall.
Now the mask was off. And what remained was pure, focused rage.
“You’ll hunt him.”
Havoc’s smile widened. Icy. Predatory. “Until there’s nothing left to find.”
They both turned to me. Waiting.
“And you?” Hellhound asked. “What are you doing?”
I opened my mouth. Closed it.
What was I doing?
Part of me wanted revenge. Wanted to hunt Dresner down and finish this. Wanted to make him pay for every life he’d stolen, every identity he’d erased.
Part of me wanted peace. Wanted Clare. Wanted to find Maeve and rebuild what Oblivion had destroyed. Wanted something resembling a normal life.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing yet.”
“You’ve earned the right to figure it out.”
Hellhound nodded. “Find peace, Xavier. You’ve survived. That matters.”
