NO WAY OUT

The city never slept, and neither did Daniel's mind.

He drove aimlessly through the streets after leaving Eli, his thoughts tangled in a web of uncertainty. The fight with Miguel Chavez was less than a week away, yet it felt like a side note compared to what he had just learned.

Moretti wasn't just after Eli. He was after him, too.

Daniel gritted his teeth.

If Moretti thought he could control him, he was wrong.

But Eli's words still echoed in his head: You need to walk away before it's too late.

The problem was, there was no walking away.

Not from this.

The Warning

As Daniel pulled into the underground parking lot of his apartment complex, his gut twisted. Something was off. The air felt heavy, charged, like the calm before a storm.

He stepped out of his car and scanned the lot.

Then he saw them.

Two men in dark suits leaning against a black SUV, their eyes locked on him the moment he stepped out.

Daniel didn't recognize them, but he knew exactly who they were.

Moretti's men.

One of them, a stocky man with slicked-back hair, pushed off the car and smiled. "Daniel Carter. Been looking for you."

Daniel didn't react. He simply shut his car door and stood his ground.

The second man, taller and leaner, took a step forward. "Mr. Moretti wants a word."

Daniel crossed his arms. "Then he can find me himself."

Slick-back chuckled. "See, that's not how this works. Moretti calls, you answer. You're a smart guy, Carter. You know when you're out of options."

Daniel tilted his head. "You think I'm out of options?"

Tall guy smirked. "Yeah. And we're about to make sure you understand that."

Before Daniel could react, they lunged.

A Fight in the Dark

The first punch came fast, but Daniel was faster. He ducked, driving his fist into Slick-back's ribs before spinning to face the second man.

Tall guy threw a wild hook—Daniel caught his wrist and twisted, making him stumble. But Slick-back recovered quickly, grabbing Daniel from behind in a tight grip.

Daniel slammed his head backward, hitting the man's nose with a sickening crack.

Slick-back cursed, releasing his hold, and Daniel didn't waste time. He drove his elbow into the man's gut, then turned and landed a brutal right hook to his jaw.

Tall guy came at him again, but Daniel side-stepped, grabbed his arm, and sent him crashing into a concrete pillar.

Both men groaned on the ground, struggling to get up.

Daniel crouched next to Slick-back, gripping the front of his suit. "Tell Moretti I don't play games."

Slick-back coughed, blood trickling from his nose. "You just made a big mistake."

Daniel let him go and stood. "No. He did."

A Threat Hits Home

When Daniel got to his apartment, his hands were still shaking—not from fear, but from adrenaline. He locked the door, breathing deeply to steady himself.

Then his phone buzzed.

A message.

Unknown Number: That was a warning. Next time, it won't be you we come for.

Daniel's stomach dropped.

He knew exactly what that meant.

Emily.

Without hesitating, he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door.

Emily in Danger

He reached Emily's apartment in record time, his heart pounding. He pounded on the door.

Nothing.

"Emily!"

No answer.

Fear clawed at his chest.

He stepped back, lifted his foot, and kicked the door open. The lock shattered, and the door swung inward.

The apartment was dark.

Empty.

Then he saw it—a single object sitting on the kitchen table.

Her phone.

And next to it, a note.

"You should have listened."

Daniel's fists clenched, his vision blurring with rage.

Moretti had just crossed a line.

And now, there was no turning back.