The Hunt Begins

Luca had spent years chasing ghosts in the dark.

But tonight—

Tonight, the ghosts were chasing him.

—

Henry had already traced the hit.

"Anonymous bounty, high price, urgent timeline," he said, tapping the laptop screen. "The kind of job that attracts only the best."

Luca leaned over his shoulder. "Who bit first?"

Henry clicked a file open.

A grainy image appeared.

A woman.

Dark hair. Sharp eyes. A body built for war.

Sofia stiffened. "Shit."

Luca frowned. "You know her?"

Sofia hesitated. "Yeah. And if she took the job…" She met his gaze. "She doesn't miss."

—

Her name was Evelyn Cross.

A mercenary. A ghost. A professional killer with no allegiances.

She didn't do emotion.

Didn't do mistakes.

And now—

She was coming for Luca.

—

Henry zoomed in on a secondary file. "She landed in the city an hour ago. Private charter. Fake ID." He smirked. "Sloppy."

Sofia scoffed. "That's not sloppy. That's confidence."

Luca exhaled. "Where is she now?"

Henry checked the feed.

Then paused.

"…Close."

Luca tensed. "How close?"

Henry's eyes flicked up.

Then past Luca.

Then—

CRACK.

The window shattered.

Luca moved fast.

Sofia tackled him down just as the bullet buried itself into the wall behind them.

"Sniper!" Henry yelled, diving for cover.

Another shot.

Sofia swore. "We have to move!"

—

The safe house wasn't safe anymore.

Luca grabbed his gun, eyes scanning the rooftops.

He couldn't see her.

But he knew she was there.

Watching.

Waiting.

Hunting.

Sofia pulled him behind cover. "We can't take her in the open."

Luca's jaw clenched. "Then we take her in the dark."

—

They slipped out through the back, cutting through the alley.

Evelyn wouldn't stay in one place for long.

She would move. Track him. Close the distance.

And when she did—

Luca would be ready.

Because if she was the best—

He was better.

—

Next Chapter: A Game of Shadows – Luca turns the hunt around, but Evelyn Cross isn't just any assassin. She's one step ahead.