Chapter 366

Evelyn's voice cut through the air like ice, sending involuntary shivers down Damian's spine. "M-Ms. Carter, let's discuss this rationally. Bringing knives into the conversation seems... unnecessary."

But mercy wasn't in Evelyn's vocabulary tonight. The blade flashed, slicing through fabric until cold steel pressed against bare flesh.

"Discuss what?" Her laugh held no humor. "Did your victims get negotiations when you held them at knifepoint?"

"Release Damian now, and we'll let you walk away alive!" a voice shouted from the shadows.

Evelyn's grip tightened. "Tell your dogs to back off," she hissed against Damian's ear, "unless you want to see how deep this goes."

The color drained from Damian's face. "Back the hell up!" he barked at his men. "All of you!"

Reluctant footsteps retreated across creaking floorboards. In the flickering lantern light, Evelyn studied Damian's features—really studied them—and realization struck.

"That disguise at our first meeting... This is your real face." Her blade traced his jawline. "Isn't it?"

Damian's breath hitched. He hadn't expected her to piece it together.

"Does it matter?" He forced a laugh. "Even if you drag me to prison tonight, Ms. Carter, do you really think this ends here? Our business has layers you can't begin to comprehend."

His smile turned predatory. "Consider this a friendly warning—some shadows are better left undisturbed. When the time comes—"

The unspoken threat hung between them, thick as the island's salty air.

Evelyn knew the risks. But someone had to stand in the fire.

Even if she couldn't burn the whole operation down, she'd scorch every hand that reached for another victim.

"Pamore's laws can't touch me," Damian taunted. "I'll be extradited to Frenda within weeks. What then? You really think I won't slip through their fingers?"

Evelyn's smile mirrored his own cruelty. "Oh, you'll stand trial in Frenda. And I'll personally ensure the cell door locks behind you."

Footsteps pounded up the dock. One of Damian's men burst in, then froze at the scene.

"Boss! The—the entire island's surrounded! Frenda's SWAT teams, local police... There's no way out!"

Evelyn's gaze flicked to Harrison. So he'd called in the cavalry after all.

"Time to go," she announced, withdrawing the knife just enough for Harrison to seize Damian's arms.

Outside, floodlights illuminated the chaotic scene—Frenda's tactical units swarming the docks, radios crackling. Within minutes, steel cuffs snapped around Damian's wrists.

As they dragged him toward the police boat, he turned with a grin that made Evelyn's blood run cold.

"This isn't over, Ms. Carter."

Her fingers curled into fists.

"We'll meet again," he promised, voice carrying over the waves. "Count on it."

The bad feeling settled in her gut like a stone. Some doors, once opened, couldn't be closed.