The Fire Begins

Luca had barely stepped out of Nocturne before he knew—Raines wasn't done.

The moment the club doors shut behind him, the air felt different.

Tighter.

Deadlier.

And then—

A gunshot.

—

Sofia's voice crackled in his earpiece. "Luca! Get down!"

He didn't need to be told twice.

He ducked just as a bullet shattered the glass of a parked car beside him. The street erupted into chaos—people screaming, running, diving for cover.

But Luca didn't run.

He turned.

And saw them.

Two men. Black tactical gear. Rifles. Moving fast. Coming straight for him.

—

Inside the surveillance van, Henry was already hacking into nearby traffic cameras. "Two shooters. No markings. Raines' men, most likely."

Sofia was already out the door, gun in hand. "We need to get him out of there."

—

Luca moved fast, ducking behind a parked car as another round of bullets tore through the night.

He exhaled, gripping the gun at his side.

Then, without hesitation—

He fired back.

One shot.

Two.

One of the shooters dropped.

The other hesitated just a second too long—enough time for Sofia to flank him, delivering a brutal kick to his ribs. The man staggered. She grabbed his collar, slamming him into the hood of a car.

"Who sent you?" she growled.

The man spat blood, laughing. "You already know."

—

Luca walked over, brushing broken glass off his shoulder. He grabbed the guy's face, forcing him to meet his eyes.

Calm. Cold.

Deadly.

"You tell Raines this—" Luca's voice was smooth, like silk wrapped around a blade.

"This? Was a mistake."

Then—

He knocked the guy out cold.

—

Henry's voice came through the comms. "We need to move. Now."

Sofia didn't argue.

Luca gave one last glance toward Nocturne.

And smirked.

Raines thought this was a warning?

He had no idea what was coming next.

—

Next Chapter: Luca's Counterattack – Luca won't sit back and wait. He's about to hit Raines where it hurts.