Chapter 33: Hunted and Hunter

The scent of blood clung to me as I tightened the makeshift bandage around my shoulder. Ghost's voice was still in my ear, tense with frustration.

"You should've listened when I said it was a trap."

I exhaled, pressing against the wound to slow the bleeding. "And let Raze walk? Not a chance."

Ghost let out a dry laugh. "Well, congrats. You let him walk anyway."

My jaw clenched. He was right, but I wasn't about to admit it.

I kicked open the door of the abandoned building I had holed up in, stepping onto the fire escape. The city stretched below me—neon lights, moving cars, a thousand people with their own problems. None of them knew a war was brewing in the shadows.

But I did.

And Raze was just the beginning.

Ghost's voice cut in again. "I'm tracking movement. Dockside, warehouse district. Might be Kross's people—or Raze making his next move."

I was already moving. "Send me the coordinates."

A beep sounded in my ear, and the location popped up on my watch. Three miles out. I could make it in ten minutes if I pushed.

I climbed down to my bike, ignoring the pain in my shoulder, and revved the engine.

I wasn't done yet.

Fifteen minutes later, I crouched on the rooftop overlooking the meeting point. The warehouse below was alive with movement—guards patrolling, trucks unloading, men carrying crates filled with whatever poison Kross was pushing now.

And in the middle of it all—Raze.

My fingers curled around the grip of my gun.

He stood beside a man I didn't recognize. Tall, well-dressed, the kind of guy who didn't belong in a place like this. The way he carried himself told me everything I needed to know—he was the real power in the room.

I activated my earpiece. "Ghost, tell me you're seeing this."

"Yeah. And I don't like it. That guy next to Raze? That's Vincent Sloane."

The name sent a ripple of recognition through me. "Sloane—the arms dealer?"

"The one and only," Ghost confirmed. "If he's in bed with Kross, that means things just got a lot worse."

I watched as Raze handed Sloane a briefcase. Money. A deal being made right in front of me.

I exhaled, steadying my aim.

One shot, and I could take Raze out.

One shot, and this nightmare ended.

But something didn't sit right.

Why was Raze making deals on Kross's behalf?

Unless…

Unless he wasn't.

"Ghost," I murmured. "I think Raze is making his own moves."

Ghost was silent for a beat. "You think he's betraying Kross?"

I watched as Sloane shook Raze's hand, the deal sealed.

"Looks like it."

If that was true, it changed everything.

Because if Raze was breaking from Kross…

That meant Kross was about to have the same problem I did.

And I could use that.

I pulled back from the edge, holstering my gun.

Tonight wasn't about revenge.

Tonight was about strategy.

Let them think they were safe.

Let them think I was out of moves.

Because when I struck next—

I'd make damn sure it was the last time Raze ever walked away.