The streets of the underworld were alive with whispers. Richard was back. And that meant chaos was coming.
Inside one of the most heavily guarded safe houses in the city, Richard sat in a dimly lit room, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. He wasn't drinking it—he was thinking.
"Dylan knows you're out," Vincent reported, standing beside him. "It won't take him long to retaliate."
Richard smirked. "Good. Let him come."
Vincent hesitated. "We're outnumbered, boss. Dylan still controls most of the underworld. If we strike now, it could backfire."
Richard's smirk didn't waver. "That's why we're not striking yet." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Dylan is smart, but he's also predictable. He'll come after me, thinking I'll act recklessly."
He looked up, his dark eyes gleaming with malice. "But this time… I'll be the one setting the trap."
---
Dylan's Next Move
Dylan stood in front of the massive window in his study, staring at the city below. His fingers drummed against his desk.
"Richard's planning something," he muttered.
Jayden, who stood behind him, nodded. "He won't attack head-on. He knows you're stronger."
Dylan smirked. "Which means he'll play dirty."
He turned around, his piercing gaze locking onto Jayden. "I want you to find out who's backing him. Someone helped him escape, and I don't believe for a second that he pulled it off alone."
Jayden hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Understood."
As Jayden turned to leave, Dylan spoke again.
"And Jayden?"
Jayden paused.
Dylan's voice was cold. "If you fail me again… I won't be so forgiving next time."
Jayden swallowed hard and exited the room.
Dylan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. Richard wasn't just a threat. He was a reminder. A ghost from his past.
He needed to end this quickly.
---
Heaven's Growing Fear
Heaven paced her room, anxiety clawing at her chest. The moment Jayden had told her about Richard's escape, she had known what it meant.
Bloodshed. Violence. A war between two ruthless brothers.
She didn't care about Dylan or Richard's power struggle. But she cared about Michael.
If a war broke out, how safe would her brother be?
She turned as the door opened.
Dylan walked in, his expression unreadable.
Heaven glared at him. "What do you want?"
Dylan raised an eyebrow. "You seem tense, little kitten."
She scoffed. "Gee, I wonder why? Maybe because your psychotic stepbrother just escaped and is coming after you?"
Dylan smirked at her sarcasm but said nothing.
She stepped closer, her eyes burning with frustration. "If you're planning something dangerous, keep Michael out of it."
Dylan's expression hardened. "I already told you—I don't harm children."
Heaven clenched her fists. "Then prove it."
For the first time in a long while, Dylan hesitated.
After a moment, he spoke. "I'll protect him."
It wasn't much, but it was enough for now.
But as Dylan left the room, Heaven couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse.
And she was right.
Because Richard wasn't coming to negotiate.
He was coming to destroy everything.