Chapter 256: Dangerous Alliance
Ivo parked his expensive hover car in the dimly lit alley adjacent to Ascendant Capital.
The city's glow cast long shadows, but the alley was quiet, hidden from the eyes of anyone who might wonder what business he had there at such an hour.
He stepped out, his muscles rippling impressively as he surveyed the impressive building in front of him. The tall glass building gleamed even under the veil of night, a symbol of power and wealth. Ascendant Capital, Yuri's empire, and soon, his.
He moved quickly, heading toward a private entrance he had used many times before. It was a route few knew existed, reserved for those who had business that needed to stay off the record. He had no desire to draw attention to himself tonight. Not when his visit was far from innocent.
Discover more at m-vl-em|p-yr
As he entered the building, he walked through its halls with a practiced ease, slipping past security cameras with the sure stride of a man who had done this far too many times.
The staff was minimal at this hour, and those present never noticed his presence due to the detours he took to remain unseen. Every step was calculated, every turn deliberate.
Soon, Ivo reached the elevator at the back end of the building. He pressed the button, stepping inside and watching the doors slide shut. His sneaker clad foot tapped against the floor as he ascended to the top floor where the CEO's office was located.
The quiet hum of the elevator was the only sound in the stillness of the night. He took that time to admire his physique, knowing it would be immortalized and he didn't even need to exercise regularly. He could eat a hundred blood seasoned burgers and it'll all still be great.
He was broken out of his thoughts as the elevator dinged. The doors opened smoothly to the same long hallway he had seen as many times as he could. Not for the hallway's beautiful decor and tasteful lights but for the office it led to.
Ivo walked down the corridor toward Amara's office, his footsteps silent on the plush carpet. He didn't knock as he reached her door, he never had to. Amara always knew when he would come.
Inside the luxurious office, Amara sat behind her desk, the faint glow of her computer illuminating her face. The large floor to ceiling windows behind her were currently covered up both by the house cloaking technology but also by thick drapes.
She looked up as he entered, a wide smile spreading across her lips.
Ivo crossed the room, his strides long, and Amara stood to meet him. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, the heat of their secret affair burning away the tension of the night.
For a moment, everything else fell away. The war, Yuri, their twisted plans. There were only the two of them, locked in a passionate embrace. Ivo's hands roamed, squeezing breasts and kneading ass. Amara drew him closer, their tongues mingling into one.
Before long, both were naked and moans filled the room. The air slowly grew congested with the noise of pleasure, the carnal claps of flesh hitting flesh and the continuous buildup of vitality.
An hour later, both had more vitality than they had started the night with. Ivo grinned, pulling on his sweatpants, watching Amara's marvelous ass before it was hidden from view by her customary black dress.
He couldn't resist, capturing her lips in another long, deep kiss. When they finally pulled apart, Amara gestured to the comfortable couches near the center of the office. They settled there, comfortably holding each other.
"What's going on, my love?" Amara asked with a frown. "I can see it on your face even as you try to hide it."
Ivo sighed. "It's about Yuri. I can talk to you about her, can't I?" He asked, his tone serious.
Amara leaned in, curiosity gleaming in her dark eyes. She didn't bother answering Ivo's question, well aware of the verbal tic her lover shared with his best friend. "What has she done now?"
Ivo's jaw tightened. "She's considering giving up Ezra Matten. To end the war. Isn't that… preposterous?"
Amara blinked, surprised. "Giving him up? To whom?"
"I'm not sure." Ivo answered, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe Vladimir. Definitely not Solomon. He wouldn't betray us, would he? Or does he have a way of breaking blood oaths?"
"Doesn't matter. Yuri's being vague, but she's talking about peace. And if she gets it, that will complicate everything. If there's no war, it'll be harder to regulate the fighting for Southside's throne once she's out of the picture. Everyone would want a piece of the cake, won't they?"
Amara's eyes narrowed as she absorbed the information. "And what's the plan? What do we do now?"
Ivo shifted slightly on the couch, his gaze hardening. "I need to know if Ascendant Capital is ready. Have you solidified your control?"
Amara smiled slowly, a touch of pride in her voice as she stroked his exposed chest. "Of course. Everything linked to Ascendant Capital is under my control now. All the assets, the financial records, everything. I've positioned myself perfectly."
Ivo felt a surge of relief wash over him. The plan was still on track. "Good." He said, leaning back into the couch. "Then when the time comes, you can seize all of Yuri's assets through the company?"
Amara nodded confidently. "With a single command, I can transfer ownership. Even if Yuri's still alive, I can cripple her financially. She won't know what hit her."
A slow smile spread across Ivo's face at her words. This was exactly what he needed to hear. Someone who's willing to move the heavens for him and him alone, not a shared bitch who thinks she's above everybody.
But then, the smile faded as the weight of his frustration settled back in. "I need to move faster on my end." He said, his voice lowering. "I don't know how long we have before she decides to broker peace. If she does that, her position will only strengthen. We won't be able to get rid of her, will we?"
"I'll have to make Ezra wary of her. Maybe leak her intentions for him. I'm a hundred percent sure he's not completely on her side either. Thor's smart. He'll sit this one out. We just need to offer A X E the same deal they had with Yuri and they'll be on our side for sure."
"Ezra Matten can probably be settled with a few promises and some money. I know his type. Guarantee his peace and quiet and he'll give Westside to us. We'll hand it over to Armand and set him up with a few Subjects and he'll be fine."
"The problem is Helena. There's nothing I can give her to satisfy her. She's ambitious and with the keepers behind her, she'll probably fight me to become ruler of Southside. But we'll be able to handle her, won't we?" After a moment, he sighed, his shoulders dropping.
Amara studied him for a moment, her fingers lightly brushing his arm. "I can see how tense you are, Ivo. What's really bothering you?"
Ivo softened slightly at her touch, sighing again. "I'm tired of waiting. We've been playing this game for too long, and I want her gone. I want the freedom we've been planning for. And now, it's so close. If she solidifies her rule, it'll be harder to take it all from her, won't he?"
Amara's expression grew serious as she leaned closer. "Then we act soon. When you give me the signal, I'll be ready. We'll take everything. Her assets, her power. Southside will be yours."
Ivo's eyes gleamed as the image floated in his mind. "It has to be soon."
Amara nodded. "It will be."
They shared a brief silence, each one going through the plan in their head. This was no longer just about an affair or personal ambitions. This was about control, power, and seizing a future they both craved.
Ivo's voice softened as he met her gaze. "When Yuri's gone, you'll have the position you deserve. I'll make sure of it." He promised.
Amara smiled, though there was a dangerous edge to it. "I'm counting on it."
Ivo stood, stretching as he prepared to leave. "Be ready. It's going to happen soon, okay?"
They shared a final, deep kiss, one filled with the passion of their shared ambition and the weight of the risks they were taking.
Then, with a parting glance, Ivo slipped out of the office, making sure that his departure was as stealthy as his arrival.
As he made his way out of Ascendant Capital, the cool night air greeted him once more. His vitality roared in his chest, and his mind was clear. Everything would be in place. The plan would unfold soon, and Yuri's death would be the key to unlocking his future.
He climbed into his car, the city lights flickering around him as he drove away, confident that one way or another, Yuri's reign would come to an end. And Southside would be his.
THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM