The tension in the room was suffocating.
Even with the lights back on, it felt as though shadows still lingered.
Veyron smiled—not the kind of smile that was meant to reassure, but the kind that belonged to a man who knew something no one else did.
Ochieng met his gaze without blinking. He could feel everyone else in the room watching. Waiting.
Something was about to change.
Something big.
---
"Shall we continue?" Veyron's voice was smooth, casual, as if he hadn't just attempted to kill Ochieng in the dark.
Ochieng didn't respond.
Instead, he walked towards the table, slowly, deliberately. He wasn't rushed. He wasn't intimidated.
He pulled out a chair and sat down.
A clear message.
If Veyron wanted to play, Ochieng wasn't backing down.
The room exhaled.
Ezekiel took his seat next, his sharp eyes never leaving Veyron.
Dmitri followed, still nursing his ribs but keeping his gun within reach.
Nadia hesitated for only a second before sitting as well.
That left Veyron.
For a moment, it seemed like he was considering something. Weighing his options.
Then, with a slow nod, he took his seat.
The game had officially begun.
---
"You've done well," Veyron admitted, adjusting his cuffs. "Few people ever walk away unscathed after a first encounter with me."
Ochieng simply tilted his head. "Was that an encounter? I thought you were just playing."
Veyron chuckled. "That's what makes you interesting."
He placed a small black case on the table and opened it.
Inside—
A single golden chess piece.
A king.
Ochieng's eyes flicked to it before meeting Veyron's again.
"Do you know what this means?" Veyron asked.
Ochieng didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he slowly reached forward, picking up the golden king between his fingers.
The entire room held its breath.
Then—
Ochieng smirked.
"Yeah," he said. "It means you've already lost."
---
Ezekiel's expression didn't change, but Ochieng could see the subtle amusement in his gaze.
Dmitri cracked a grin.
Nadia exhaled through her nose, watching Veyron carefully.
And Veyron?
For the first time—he faltered.
Just for a second.
But Ochieng caught it.
He had just flipped the game before it had even begun.
Veyron leaned back, smiling once more. But this time, it wasn't as effortless as before.
"Interesting," he murmured.
He reached forward and took back the king, placing it in his pocket.
"Then let's see," Veyron said, standing up, "how long you can keep that confidence."
With that, he turned and walked away.
The room stayed silent until the door closed behind him.
Then—
Dmitri whistled. "Well, damn."
Ochieng finally relaxed, just a little. But deep inside, he knew one thing for sure.
Veyron wasn't done.
This was just the beginning of something much bigger.
And Ochieng had just made himself the main target.
---