CHAPTER 10

1The city pulsed under the glow of neon lights as Elena stared out the window of the safe house. The rain-slicked streets mirrored the storm brewing inside her. She had made the call. Now, all she could do was wait.

Luca sat across from her, arms draped over the back of the worn leather couch. His fingers absentmindedly traced the hilt of his knife. "Who was on the other end?"

"An old contact." Her voice was steady, but inside, she was fraying at the edges. "Someone who owes me a favor."

Luca scoffed. "Favors in our world come with a price. You sure you're ready to pay it?"

She didn't flinch. "I don't have a choice."

A knock on the door had them both tensing. Luca was up in an instant, gun drawn. Elena reached for hers, keeping her body low as she moved toward the peephole.

A familiar face stared back at her, hooded under the dim light of the hallway. Elena unlatched the door. "You're late."

The figure stepped inside, shaking off the rain. Dark eyes met hers. "Information like this isn't easy to come by."

Luca shut the door behind them. "And?"

The newcomer reached into his jacket and pulled out a folder. He set it down on the table between them. "Gabriel isn't just looking for you, Elena. He's setting a trap. He's anticipating your next move."

Elena inhaled sharply as she flipped through the pages. Schematics. Shipment schedules. Strategic placements of Gabriel's men.

And at the bottom—her name. Circled. Marked.

A target.

2Across the city, Gabriel stood at the edge of his penthouse balcony, the city sprawling beneath him. He nursed a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the dim light. Damian stood a few feet behind him, hands clasped behind his back.

"She's making her move," Damian said. "Our informant confirmed it."

Gabriel's lips curled. "Good."

"You don't seem surprised."

He turned, facing his second-in-command. "Because I know Elena. She's not the type to run forever. She's going to try to outplay me."

Damian hesitated before asking, "And if she does?"

Gabriel chuckled, sipping his drink. "She won't. Because she doesn't realize she's already playing my game."

He walked back inside, setting his glass down. His fingers traced the bandage on his arm where her bullet had grazed him.

He had seen the hesitation in her eyes. He had felt the tremor in her hand when she pulled the trigger.

And he knew exactly how to use it against her.

3Back at the safe house, Elena pushed away the file and ran a hand through her hair. "Gabriel always thinks ahead. He plans five moves in advance. If we want to take him down, we have to get unpredictable."

Luca smirked. "Unpredictable is my specialty."

She met his gaze, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Then let's rewrite the rules."

The plan formed quickly—a high-stakes play that would force Gabriel to react rather than control the board. They would target his next shipment, disrupt his operations, and send a message.

But most importantly—they would make him doubt himself.

Because if there was one thing Gabriel hated, it was losing control.

And for the first time, Elena intended to make sure he felt it.

4The warehouse smelled of oil and damp concrete as Elena and Luca moved through the shadows. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their movements precise.

"Timing is everything," Luca whispered. "You sure you're up for this?"

Elena exhaled. "I have to be."

The plan was simple—sabotage the shipment, leave a message, and disappear before Gabriel's men knew what hit them. But simple didn't mean easy.

Elena pressed against a steel container, pulling out a small device. With steady hands, she attached it to the locking mechanism and activated the timer.

Thirty seconds.

Luca signaled from across the loading bay. "Guards moving in. We need to go."

Elena nodded, slipping back into the shadows just as the first explosion rocked the warehouse.

Flames erupted, casting jagged shadows against the walls. The shockwave knocked crates off their stacks, sending splintered wood and shattered glass flying. The air filled with the acrid stench of burning chemicals.

The explosion had bought them seconds, but no more. Shouts erupted from the other end of the warehouse as Gabriel's men scrambled to contain the chaos.

Elena's pulse pounded as she and Luca sprinted toward the emergency exit. Just as they reached the door, a shot rang out, striking the metal frame inches from Elena's head.

"Down!" Luca tackled her to the ground as another bullet whizzed past.

Elena rolled to her side, gun in hand. Two of Gabriel's men were advancing, weapons drawn. She fired twice—one man dropped instantly, while the other staggered back, clutching his shoulder.

Luca didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, slamming his knife into the remaining guard's throat. Blood sprayed, and the man gurgled before collapsing.

More footsteps thundered in the distance.

"Move!" Elena hissed, yanking Luca up. They burst through the exit, the cold night air hitting them like a slap. A black car was already waiting at the curb, the engine running.

Elena flung open the door, diving in as Luca followed. "Go!"

The driver didn't need to be told twice. Tires screeched as they sped away, the burning warehouse shrinking in the distance.

5Gabriel watched the burning remains of his shipment with unreadable eyes. Smoke curled into the night sky, the scent of scorched metal thick in the air.

Damian stood beside him, tension rolling off his frame. "She did this."

Gabriel exhaled, a slow smirk spreading across his lips. "Yes. She did."

He crouched near a steel container, brushing his fingers against the words spray-painted onto the surface.

Your move.

He chuckled, standing. "Well played, Elena."

Then his eyes darkened.

"But you just made your biggest mistake yet."

He turned to Damian. "Find her. And this time, make sure she doesn't walk away