As they approached the entrance of Raven's Hollow, the city loomed ahead like a beast waking from slumber. The streets were dimly lit, littered with signs of past violence—burnt-out cars, abandoned buildings covered in graffiti, and people who stared a little too long as their vehicles passed.
A group of men stood at a checkpoint, armed and ready. One of them—a towering figure with a scar running down his cheek—held up a hand, signaling them to stop.
Victor rolled down his window slightly. "We're here to do business."
The man sneered. "Business, huh? With who?"
Phantom leaned forward, grinning. "Tell your boss that 'The Ghost' is back."
The man's expression shifted instantly—from amusement to something close to fear. He muttered something to one of his men, who quickly ran off into the city.
Jillian glanced at Dante and Leo, their hands already inching toward their weapons. Whatever happened next, they had to be ready.
A few moments later, the man with the scar stepped back and gestured toward the gate. "Welcome to Raven's Hollow."
The gate creaked open, revealing the lawless underworld that awaited them inside.
And with that, they stepped into the unknown.
Beneath the Hollow
The moment they stepped into Raven's Hollow, Jillian felt the weight of a hundred unseen eyes on them. The city was alive with shadows—figures moving in the dark, whispers exchanged in hushed tones. The scent of smoke, oil, and desperation clung to the air.
Dante and Leo flanked her as they followed Phantom, who walked ahead like he owned the place. Victor and his men stayed close, their expressions unreadable.
"We need to keep our heads down," Leo muttered under his breath.
Dante smirked. "Funny, because I feel like we should be doing the opposite."
They passed by makeshift stalls selling everything from illegal weapons to rare herbs. A few people recognized Phantom, stepping back warily. Others merely watched, waiting to see how the night would unfold.
At the heart of the city, a large building stood untouched by time—the Raven's Keep, a fortress where The Broker ruled. The guards at the entrance looked them over before stepping aside.
Victor exchanged a glance with Jillian before stepping forward. "Let's get this over with."
The doors swung open, revealing a grand hall lit by golden chandeliers. At the center, seated on a throne-like chair, was a woman with piercing emerald eyes and an air of control—The Broker.
She studied them with a knowing smirk. "Well, well. Phantom, back from the dead. And Victor Holloway, still pretending he has control." Her gaze flickered to Jillian. "And you must be the girl causing all this chaos."
Jillian met her stare without flinching. "I prefer the term 'problem solver.'"
The Broker laughed softly. "Is that so?"
Phantom stepped forward. "We're here for a trade."
The room fell silent. The deal was about to begin.
Meanwhile, Harlond Smith sat in his office, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished mahogany desk. The rumors had been spreading fast—whispers of Jillian's involvement with dangerous individuals, men with checkered pasts. Dante Cruz and Leo weren't just ordinary troublemakers; they were names tied to the kind of business that could stain the family's reputation beyond repair.
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. This was unacceptable. After everything, after all the precautions, Jillian was still dragging the Smith name into the mud. If word got out to his business associates or the aristocrats he associated with, it wouldn't just be an embarrassment—it could cost him everything.
With a flick of his wrist, he picked up his phone. "Find out where she is," he ordered his trusted aide. "And this time, bring her back."
He couldn't afford to let this spiral any further. Jillian needed to be reminded of where she belonged.
That evening, as Jillian and her team regrouped in the warehouse, unaware of the storm brewing, Harlond Smith's men were already moving.
A black car rolled through the dimly lit streets, its tires gliding silently over the pavement. Inside, Harlond's most trusted enforcer, a man named Charles, reviewed the latest intel. Jillian had been spotted leaving an old industrial district—too far from the Smith estate, too deep into dangerous territory.
Harlond's voice echoed in his mind: "Bring her back. I don't care what it takes."
At the warehouse, Jillian paced, tension in her every step. Leo had uncovered new leads on Phantom's past, but something else gnawed at her. A strange feeling, like unseen eyes watching from the dark.
Dante was the first to notice. He stood by the window, his hand resting on his belt where his knife was always ready. "We have company," he muttered.
Jillian turned sharply. "Victor's men?"
Leo shook his head, peering at the approaching figures. "No. This is different."
Then, the warehouse doors burst open. Charles and his men stepped inside, their presence demanding attention. The flickering lights above cast long shadows over their tailored suits—so different from the rough, street-worn looks of Jillian's allies.
"Miss Smith," Charles said smoothly. "Your father wants to see you. Now."
Jillian's stomach twisted. Harlond had finally made his move.
Jillian clenched her fists, her mind racing. Harlond sending someone meant he was taking the rumors seriously. She couldn't afford to be dragged back into his world—not when she was so close to the truth.
Dante shifted beside her, his fingers twitching near his knife. Leo took a step back, subtly moving toward the computer, ready to wipe their latest findings if things turned hostile.
Charles gave a polite but firm smile. "Relax, Miss Smith. I'm not here to force you home. Your father simply wants answers. He's hearing things—things that don't sit well with him. He asked me to confirm them."
Jillian forced a smirk. "And what exactly did dear old father hear?"
"That you've been associating with criminals," Charles replied smoothly. "That you've been running around with Dante Cruz and Leo Carter, stirring up trouble. That you've been—" he gave her a pointed look "—acting like someone who's planning something."
Jillian met his gaze without flinching. "If I was, would that be a problem?"
Charles chuckled. "Depends on what you're planning." He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Look, I don't care what you're doing out here. But if it threatens the Smith name, Harlond will act. And you know how he deals with problems."
Jillian swallowed but kept her expression neutral. "Then tell him this—whatever he's worried about, he has bigger problems than me."
Charles studied her for a moment before nodding. "I'll pass that along." He turned to leave but paused at the door. "One last thing, Miss Smith. If you're walking into something dangerous… make sure you don't drag your family down with you."
With that, he exited, leaving Jillian standing in the dim warehouse, her heart pounding.
Dante exhaled. "That was close."
Leo ran a hand through his hair. "Too close."
Jillian's jaw tightened. "Harlond's watching now. Which means we need to move faster."