A Dangerous Game 8
Izard made his way out of the alley and cautiously scanned the street in front of him with his eyes. The lights on the building across the street was dark. He knew everyone should have left for the day.
Quickly he crossed the street and slipped into the back entrance of an old building, Izard entered a dimly lit room where a large table sat in the center. Spread across it were blueprints, documents, and photos of both Eve and Hawke—everything he needed to execute his plan. He had been watching them for weeks, learning their patterns, their weaknesses. And now, it was time to strike.
At the far end of the room sat Voss, a lean man with sharp features and eyes that gleamed with mischief. Voss had been Izard’s right-hand man for years, and he thrived on chaos.
“They’re too happy, Voss. It makes me sick,” Izard said as he tossed a photo of Eve onto the table. “I want her to feel what I felt. The pain, the betrayal. And Hawke—he’s going to pay for what he took from me.”
Voss raised an eyebrow, a sly grin playing on his lips. “What’s the plan, boss? You’ve never been one to keep things simple.”
Izard smirked, leaning over the table and tracing his finger along one of the blueprints. “Oh, it’s far from simple. You see, Hawke’s business is vulnerable. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve set a trap. Tomorrow, we’ll leak some ‘information’ that will make his clients doubt him. I’ll plant just enough doubt to cause a few of them to jump ship.”
“And what about Eve?” Voss asked, his tone eager.
“I’ve saved something special for her,” Izard said coldly, his eyes darkening. “Eve thinks her past is behind her, but she has no idea what’s coming. I’ve found someone she’ll recognize, someone she won’t be able to ignore. And when she does, it’ll shatter everything she’s worked to rebuild.”
Voss let out a low whistle. “Brilliant, boss. But how do you know it’ll all fall into place?” Izard stood tall, his confidence unshakable. “Because I don’t leave anything to chance. By the time they realize what’s happening, it’ll be too late.”
Suddenly, the door to the room creaked open, and a woman stepped inside. Her face was partially hidden by a hood, but Izard recognized her immediately.
“Right on time,” Izard said with a satisfied smile. “Are you ready?”
The woman stepped forward; her voice low but resolute. “I owe you nothing, Moulard. But I’ll do this. After that, we’re done.”
Izard’s smile didn’t falter. “Of course. Just follow the plan, and everything will be as it should.”
Then the woman loudly cleared her throat. “There’s something else.”
“What is it?” Izard demanded.
The woman voice as like steel when she spoke. “For this plan to be effective, I must ask that you wait a few weeks, if I start your plan tomorrow it will be too soon, and it won’t look legitimate.”
“Ah! I see your point,” Izard nodded as his lips curled into a sinister smile. What do you have in mind?”
“I need time. Just a few weeks,” she paused. You see, not many understand the importance of shaping a story. And this story must be shaped.” The woman paused as if choosing her words carefully. “Even still, few how the true art of being shrewdly proficient enough to manipulate the media. And as I am sure you know. Social media is a shrewd bitch, and for this to be done right I need a few weeks to build up your victim, before I can destroy them.”
Izard laughed out loud at her words.
“So, tell me Moulard, are you a patient enough man for me to do this right?”
“I’m a patient man. I can wait a few weeks,” he smirked. “As long as you destroy my victim.”
“Good, then it is settled I’ll leave now,” the woman said as she turned and made her exit. As the woman disappeared behind the closed door, Voss looked at Izard with a mix of curiosity and unease. “Who was that?”
“An old friend of Eve’s,” Izard replied. “One she’d rather forget.”
The two men shared a knowing glance, and Izard’s eyes glinted with anticipation. I may have to wait a little while longer with Eve. But Hawke, I can handle him now. Tomorrow, the first blow would land, and there would be no going back.
The night was still, but beneath the surface, the game had already begun.
No comments:
Post a Comment