Signed in Blood: The Price of Secrets

Pt~15 She's ice and fire,you fear the cold but crave the burn

Lilith's POV

I was on my way to the office, my car cutting through the early morning traffic like a silent predator. Yesterday had been an exhausting, toxic mess, yet somehow, it also felt reassuring. The betrayals within my own family were no longer just suspicions—they were confirmed facts. At least now, I knew exactly who I was up against. More importantly, I had clarity on whom I could trust.

The intricate web surrounding my mother's death had finally started unraveling, tying back to three main families—the Crosses, the Creeds, and the Hawthornes. I wasn't surprised. If anything, I felt strangely calm, like a soldier who had just received confirmation of war.

Last night, after leaving my father's house with Axel, we made a stop at a small, inconspicuous restaurant. That was where he picked up some crucial information—an officer who had been involved in my mother's case. A ghost from the past. Someone who had allegedly helped close the case under the Cross family's influence. The tip came from an old police contact once tied to Axel's family. If this was true, we had just found a direct link to everything.

Armand, my so-called 'spy' at the office, had been assigned to dig deeper. If there was even the slightest chance this man was the key, I needed to know everything about him.

Just as I was about to step out of my car, my phone rang. An unknown number. I hesitated, then answered. I had received a similar call not even fifteen minutes ago.

"Lilith, stay exactly where you are. And don't you dare freak out." It was Maria.

"What is it?" I asked, already freaking out.

"I'm calling from a payphone. I got a tip—there's going to be a raid at your house in less than an hour. It's coming from the Crosses. I'm sure that old bastard is setting you up. There's footage of you near your dad's place, and they'll use it to make it look like you had advance knowledge of the raid. Just follow your normal routine—act as if you know nothing."

Ah, so the old man finally caught wind of his son's visit to my father's house. Predictable.Which also proves,he was clearly in part of his daughter's killing,and was very well willing to cover up,even now.Pathetic.

I remained still, my expression unreadable. If she was right, there were cameras on me right now. "Maria, call Axel. Tell him everything. I can't risk using my phone. Also, find out who the lead officer is. Do it fast. Then get to my place, but stay in your car. Park in my spot—it's a blind spot for most surveillance cameras."

I ended the call and took a deep breath. The game had begun.

Axel's POV

Maria's call left me with exactly forty-five minutes to clear everything.

I pulled out my ghost phone—one of the untraceable numbers provided by Mr. Hawthorne—and called Raye. We all had one of these. I considered reaching out to Lilith's friends, but they were under office surveillance. Chris and Armand, however, were already in the building. They could slip out without drawing suspicion.

I worked fast, stuffing Lilith's cash into suitcases. The amount was absurd—enough to buy a mansion, yet she insisted on living in a flat. I didn't have time to question it. I moved to her files, grabbing everything related to her properties. When Raye and Chris finally arrived, looking flustered and out of breath, I had already packed most of the essentials. I passed them the bags, watching as they hurried to load them into Maria's car.

Ten minutes left.

I moved on to her weapons—unauthorized, of course. Standard safety measures for people like us. As I packed them up, Chris suddenly cursed under his breath.

"What the fuck is she doing?!" He slammed the car trunk shut.

I turned just in time to see Lilith's car pull in through the main gate. My stomach twisted. "Shit."

Lilith's POV

Maria's car, filled with briefcases, was parked in my spot. I barely had time to process the mistake before realizing what it meant. If the Crosses were watching, they'd check my parking area too.

"Maria! Get the fuck out of my spot! NOW!" I yelled.

"What the actual fuck are YOU doing here?! Where's your pistol case?!" Maria screamed back.

That's when I saw them. Three black SUVs. The officers were talking to the guard, flashing their IDs. I turned back to Maria, heart pounding. I saw the guys sprinting towards the car, piling in, and speeding off towards their safe house—the one place the Crosses wouldn't dare raid.

I took a deep breath and walked to my apartment as if nothing was wrong.

Axel was locking the door when I arrived. He had my gun case in one hand, a bag in the other. He looked up at me, eyes widening in disbelief. "Why the fuck are you here?! If they see you rushing home before a raid, it'll look like you're guilty! And trust me, they'll have proof!"

I smirked. "I'll handle it."

He scoffed. "And what the fuck are you gonna do? Walk past them with your gun case in hand?"

"Yes." He smirked, tossing me the keys. "Catch."

Before I could respond, he slipped away down the staircase—out of view, out of reach. They didn't know his face. He could blend in. He'd be gone before they even realized he was part of this.

"Yo, is everything out?" he called back. "Property papers,Jwellery, cash? This bag has a few gold bars and the pistol."

I nodded, scanning the apartment one last time. "Ring!The damn solitaire ring?!"

"Out of receipt," I muttered. "That was a payment by Cross. No way to track it"

Axel paused. "Lilith...I should leave now,they are entering your complex.I'll meet you at the first highway"

"What do I do?!" I hate panicking,but this was the need of hour.

I met his gaze, realization dawning,and a sly smile on my face.I ran straight to my room,trying to find where i had stashed it away.

Hid it right where it was supposed to be.

I straightened, the weight of it suddenly felt different, heavier with purpose.

Axel grinned. "Always thinking ahead."

So,I walked straight into the lion's den, carrying everything they were looking for—right under their noses.

With the ring,shining on my finger.