The sky was still cloaked in night as Dylan stood on the rooftop of the safehouse, overlooking the city that once knelt to him. Now, cracks were forming—threats rising from the very shadows he thought he had buried. And at the center of it all, Richard.
"You look like a man who hasn't slept in days," Jayden said as he walked up beside him.
"I haven't," Dylan replied, his voice low and tired. "Not since he resurfaced."
Jayden nodded. "He's moving again. We intercepted a message this morning—encrypted. But Elise's name was mentioned. She's planning something."
"Elise…" Dylan's jaw clenched. "She was always good at hiding behind others. This time, I'll rip the mask off her myself."
Jayden hesitated, then said, "There's one more thing. Richard wants a meeting."
Dylan turned slowly. "He wants to meet?"
Jayden nodded. "Midnight. Old warehouse by the bridge."
A bitter smile curved on Dylan's lips. "He's either suicidal or setting a trap."
"Do we go?"
"Oh, we go," Dylan said. "But we bring hell with us."
---
HEAVEN'S ROOM
Heaven watched Michael sleeping. He looked peaceful, but she could see it in his pale cheeks, the way his fingers twitched—his body was still fighting.
The door opened and Dylan stepped in. He looked tired. Hardened.
"You're going out again," she said.
"I have to meet Richard."
Heaven stood up, walking toward him. "Is it safe?"
"Probably not," he replied. "But it's necessary."
Heaven bit her lip. "Then take me with you."
"No," Dylan said, not even hesitating.
"I'm not asking to fight," she said. "But if anything goes wrong, I want to know. I want to see it with my own eyes. I don't want to be the last to know you're gone."
Her words sank deep into him.
He stepped closer and gently touched her cheek. "You have no idea how dangerous it is."
"I don't care," she whispered. "I just want to be by your side."
He exhaled slowly, pulling her into a brief but tight embrace. "Stay close. And don't speak unless I tell you to."
---
THE ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – MIDNIGHT
Dylan arrived first, flanked by Jayden and four of his best guards. Heaven stayed inside one of the bulletproof SUVs, watching from the shadows. The air was thick with tension.
Then, Richard appeared.
Dressed in dark grey, his eyes gleamed with that familiar arrogance. Younger, but colder now. Hardened by jealousy and ambition.
"Brother," he greeted mockingly. "Or do you prefer King of the Underworld?"
Dylan chuckled dryly. "Still bitter about grandpa's will?"
"I'm here for what's mine," Richard said. "And that includes the throne."
"It was never yours to begin with."
"That's because you stole it," Richard snapped.
The two men stood face to face. Brothers by blood, enemies by fate.
"I didn't come here to talk," Dylan said coldly. "I came to end this."
Richard smiled. "Good. Because I didn't come alone."
The warehouse lights suddenly shut off—and chaos exploded. Gunfire, shadows, betrayal.
From inside the SUV, Heaven's eyes widened as the windows cracked with the force of bullets. Her heart pounded—Dylan was out there.
"Please," she whispered. "Come back to me."