The moon hung low over the city, casting an eerie silver glow over the safehouse. Inside, the tension simmered quietly, coiling beneath the surface like a snake waiting to strike.
Dylan stood alone on the rooftop balcony, eyes scanning the skyline. The wind tousled his dark hair as memories crept into his mind—memories of Samantha. Her laughter, the way she'd run her fingers through his hair when he couldn't sleep, the softness in her eyes even when she was angry.
She had been the calm in his chaos.
"You're holding on too tightly, Dylan."
The voice came not from the wind, but from within—a memory.
He turned slightly, almost expecting to see her. But there was only the wind.
"You have to let go. Let someone else in. You can't fight this war alone."
He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
"I'm trying, Sam… I'm trying."
---
INSIDE THE SAFEHOUSE
Jayden walked through the halls with two of Dylan's trusted men, going over last-minute security upgrades. Heaven stood in the hallway, listening quietly from the shadows. She hadn't spoken to Jayden since the betrayal—since he had led her into Richard's trap. Her heart still carried the sting of it, but right now, they had bigger concerns.
Michael was recovering well, and that gave her hope. But she knew something bigger was coming.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked softly, stepping forward.
Jayden stiffened, then nodded. "I have to be."
"I hope, for all our sakes, that you truly are."
---
DYLAN'S OFFICE – LATER THAT NIGHT
Dylan entered the war room. A large map of the city covered the table, with red pins marking Richard's known operations.
"He's moved his base," one of the lieutenants said. "We tracked one of his vans—he's relocated to the south docks. He's got an entire armory down there."
Dylan's eyes narrowed. "Then that's where we finish this."
"No more cat and mouse?" Jayden asked cautiously.
"No," Dylan replied firmly. "We end it. Tomorrow night."
---
RICHARD'S HIDEOUT
Richard stood before a row of monitors. Each screen displayed footage of Dylan's known locations.
"You're predictable, brother," Richard muttered with a smirk. "But that's what makes it easy."
Eva approached with a file. "We found her—Samantha's sister."
Richard's eyes lit up. "So he's still haunted by ghosts."
"She's in the city. Want us to bring her in?"
"No. Let her stay hidden… for now. We'll use her when it hurts most."
---
SAFEHOUSE – MIDNIGHT
Heaven sat beside Michael, gently stroking his hair. The child stirred and opened his eyes.
"Am I going to be okay?" he whispered.
She smiled. "You already are, baby."
At the door, Dylan watched quietly. Something inside him shifted. The boy, the woman, the family he never thought he could have—they were becoming his reason.
And he would protect them with everything he had.
No more running. No more hiding.
Tomorrow, the war would begin.
And Dylan Martin planned to win.