The city never slept, but tonight, it was eerily quiet around one of Dylan's main warehouses. The scent of burning wood and chemicals filled the air as smoke curled into the night sky. Flames crackled in the distance—Richard's men had set fire to another one of Dylan's assets.
Inside his office, Dylan stood by the window, watching the orange glow in the distance. He clenched his jaw, his fingers gripping the edge of his desk. Richard wanted a war? He was about to get one.
Jayden entered, his expression grim. "Another warehouse hit, boss. This time, they burned it down."
Dylan didn't react immediately. He reached for the whiskey bottle on his desk, poured himself a drink, and took a slow sip. His eyes remained locked on the burning horizon.
"Casualties?" he finally asked.
"Two men dead. Three injured."
Dylan set his glass down with a sharp clink. His patience had worn thin.
"Enough," he said coldly. "If Richard thinks I'll sit back and watch him play games, he's mistaken."
Jayden hesitated for a moment. "Do you want to strike back now?"
Dylan turned, his sharp gaze meeting Jayden's. "Not yet."
Jayden looked confused. "But boss—"
"Richard expects retaliation. That's why he's provoking me," Dylan interrupted, his tone unreadable. "We won't give him what he wants. Not yet."
Jayden nodded. He trusted Dylan's instincts.
Dylan picked up the black envelope Richard had sent him earlier, flipping it between his fingers. A dark smirk curved his lips.
"He called me 'little brother' like he has the upper hand. Let's remind him why he left in the first place."
---
At Richard's Hideout
Richard sat in his office, relaxed, a confident smile on his face. Victor, his right-hand man, entered with an update.
"Dylan hasn't responded yet. No movement from his men."
Richard frowned slightly. "Interesting. I expected him to hit back immediately."
Victor hesitated. "Maybe he's planning something."
Richard scoffed. "Dylan's not as smart as everyone thinks. He's too arrogant. He'll act eventually, and when he does, we'll be ready."
He swirled his whiskey and took a sip, but a nagging feeling remained at the back of his mind. Why was Dylan so quiet?
---
At Dylan's Mansion
Later that night, Dylan sat in his study, his mind deep in thought. His fingers traced the rim of his whiskey glass as his thoughts drifted—unexpectedly—to Samantha.
"Dylan… you have to let go."
Her voice echoed in his head, soft but firm.
He closed his eyes. He could still see her—his first love, the only woman who had ever meant something to him. She had been his sanity, his light in the darkness. But she was gone.
"Move on, Dylan. Don't let your past chain you down."
He exhaled sharply, pushing the memory away.
This wasn't the time for weakness. Richard was a threat, and threats had to be eliminated.
He picked up his phone and dialed. Jayden answered immediately.
"Get everyone ready. It's time to move."
---
War is Coming
Richard might have thought he was in control, but Dylan never lost.
He wouldn't just retaliate—he would destroy.