GHOSTS OF THE PAST

Daniel couldn't shake the weight pressing against his chest. The world had suddenly shifted beneath him, throwing him into a storm of confusion. His brother, Eli, was somehow involved with Lance Moretti—the man who had been a ghost in Daniel's past, a name he had hoped never to hear again.

The upcoming fight with Miguel Chavez? It should have been his only focus. Instead, it was slipping further from his mind. There were bigger battles now, ones that didn't take place in the ring.

As he drove through the city streets, the neon lights of bars and street signs blurred together. He needed answers. And there was only one person who could give them to him.

He had to find Eli.

A Step Into the Dark

Eli had never been the type to stay in one place for long. He lived in the shadows, always shifting, always one step ahead. But Daniel knew how to track him down. He just had to start in the right place.

His first stop was a small bar on the east side of town. The kind of place where fights started over debts, and loyalty was as temporary as the drinks in people's hands.

Daniel walked in, his presence immediately drawing attention. He wasn't just anyone in this world—he was known. The underground fighter who had clawed his way into the professional scene. Some respected him. Others hated him.

He scanned the room, locking eyes with a man he recognized—Rico, one of Eli's old friends.

Rico smirked. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Daniel sat across from him, his jaw tight. "Where's Eli?"

Rico chuckled, taking a sip of his whiskey. "That's the first thing you say? No 'how you been, Rico?'"

Daniel didn't have patience for this. He leaned in, his voice low. "I don't have time for games. Where is he?"

Rico studied him for a moment before sighing. "Last I heard, he was laying low. Some debt collectors have been looking for him. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Daniel's fingers clenched into fists beneath the table. "Who's he working for?"

Rico hesitated, then leaned in. "Word is, he's been dealing with Moretti."

Daniel's stomach twisted.

So it was true.

Rico continued. "But listen, man. If Moretti's involved, your brother's in deep. You don't walk away from that kind of thing."

Daniel didn't respond. He just stood, tossing a few bills on the table for Rico's drink.

"I need to find him," Daniel said. "Now."

Rico sighed. "I'd check the docks. Last place someone said they saw him."

Daniel nodded and turned to leave.

"Hey, Carter," Rico called after him. "Be careful. Some ghosts don't like being found."

Daniel didn't stop walking.

Ghosts or not, he wasn't leaving this alone.

The Reunion

The docks were nearly empty at this hour, the air thick with the smell of saltwater and rust. The distant sound of waves crashing against the wooden beams filled the silence as Daniel made his way through the narrow alleys between the shipping containers.

He had been here before. Years ago.

This was where deals went down, where men like Moretti operated in the shadows.

Daniel spotted a figure near one of the loading cranes, leaning against a metal pillar, cigarette smoke curling in the air.

Eli.

Daniel took a deep breath before stepping closer. "Eli."

His brother turned, his eyes flickering with recognition before narrowing. "Daniel?"

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The years between them stretched long and painful.

Eli took another drag of his cigarette. "Didn't think I'd see you again."

Daniel clenched his jaw. "Why are you working with Moretti?"

Eli chuckled, shaking his head. "Straight to it, huh?"

"Don't play games," Daniel snapped. "Tell me."

Eli exhaled, looking past Daniel as if weighing his options. Then, finally, he spoke.

"I didn't have a choice," Eli muttered. "Moretti… he owns me now. I owe him more than I can pay back."

Daniel's stomach twisted. "So you're what? Running jobs for him?"

Eli didn't answer.

Daniel took a step closer. "Are you the one sending me those messages?"

Eli frowned. "What messages?"

Daniel pulled out his phone, showing Eli the texts from the unknown number. Eli's face hardened. "That wasn't me."

Daniel's heart pounded. If it wasn't Eli… then who?

Eli took a shaky breath. "Listen, you don't get it, Daniel. Moretti's not just keeping tabs on me—he's keeping tabs on you too."

Daniel's blood ran cold.

Eli continued, his voice hushed but urgent. "He doesn't just want me in his pocket. He wants you too."

A New Threat

Daniel's fists clenched. "Why?"

Eli hesitated before finally answering. "Because you're valuable now. You've got a name, a career. And he figures, if he can't control you, he'll make sure you don't get far without owing him."

Daniel shook his head. "That's not going to happen."

Eli scoffed. "You think you get to choose? Moretti doesn't ask—he takes."

Daniel's mind raced. Moretti was setting him up. The fight, the sudden opportunities—was it all orchestrated? Was this fight with Miguel Chavez meant to be his test?

Eli stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You need to walk away, Daniel. Before it's too late."

Daniel met his brother's gaze. "I don't run. And I sure as hell don't bow to men like Moretti."

Eli's jaw tightened. "Then you'd better be ready for war."

The Decision

Daniel left the docks with his mind on fire.

The fight with Chavez? It wasn't just about proving himself anymore.

It was about sending a message.

Moretti wanted to control him? He'd show Moretti that no one owned him.

He was going to step into that ring.

And he was going to win.

Not just for his career.

Not just for his name.

But for his freedom.