Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Ethan crept to the window, peering into the darkness. A figure darted between the trees, too fast to identify, but he knew that gait. Tommy Vega. The bastard who'd killed Lily was here, hunting them now. "It's Vega," Ethan said, his voice a low growl. "He's mine."Sarah Kane grabbed his arm. "Wait. If he's here, Moretti's close. We can't rush this.""She's right," the other Sarah added. "We've got a lead from Carver. Moretti's got a hideout downtown. Vega's probably bait."Ethan shook off Sarah Kane's grip, his blood boiling. "I don't care. He dies tonight." Before they could stop him, he bolted out the door, gun in hand. Vega was waiting, a smirk on his scarred face as he swung a blade at Ethan's throat. Ethan dodged, tackling Vega into the dirt. They grappled, fists and steel clashing in a brutal dance.Ethan landed a solid punch, cracking Vega's jaw, but the enforcer was fast. He slipped free and vanished into the trees, leaving Ethan panting in the mud. Sarah and Sarah Kane caught up, weapons drawn. "He's gone," Sarah said. "But Carver's info might still be good. Let's hit that hideout."Ethan wiped blood from his lip, nodding reluctantly. "Fine. But Vega's not done with me." They piled into Sarah's car and sped toward the city, the tension thick between them. Carver had promised Moretti's location, and Ethan was starting to trust him, just a little. Maybe the detective really wanted justice.They pulled up to an old office building, its windows dark. Ethan's gut twisted. "This feels off," he muttered as they stepped out. "Too quiet." Sarah nodded, her hand on her gun. They were walking into something, and they all knew it.