Hunting the Puppet Master

Midnight – Safehouse

The city glowed through the rain-streaked windows, but Luca barely noticed. He stood in front of the table, staring at the blood-stained cloth wrapped around his knuckles.

Ghost was dead.

But something wasn't right.

Sofia poured herself a drink, her hands steady despite everything that had happened. She took a sip, then spoke. "So what's next?"

Luca's gaze flicked to her. "Raines."

Henry sighed, rubbing his temple. "You don't even know where he is."

Luca turned the laptop toward them. "I do now."

The screen showed an encrypted message—one that had been sent to Ghost before their fight.

It was a set of coordinates. A meeting point.

Sofia's eyes narrowed. "You think Raines was expecting Ghost to survive?"

Luca smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Doesn't matter. He'll be there."

And Luca would be waiting.

—

3:00 AM – The Meeting Point

An old warehouse by the docks.

Luca arrived early, taking a position on the upper level. The shadows wrapped around him like armor.

A black SUV rolled in, its tires crunching against gravel.

Two men stepped out first—heavily armed.

Then came him.

Raines.

Dressed in a dark suit, he adjusted his cufflinks like this was just another business meeting. His silver hair gleamed under the moonlight.

Luca steadied his breath. "Showtime."

—

The Setup

Sofia and Henry were stationed nearby. Backup, just in case.

Luca had one chance.

Raines didn't know Ghost was dead yet.

Luca pulled out his phone and sent a message using Ghost's old burner.

"Target eliminated. Need extraction."

Raines' phone buzzed.

He checked the screen.

Then, he smiled.

Hook. Line. Sinker.

—

The Confrontation

Raines stepped forward, motioning for his men to stay back.

Arrogant bastard.

Luca waited until he was close enough.

Then—

He dropped from the shadows.

Gun pressed to Raines' skull.

The guards reacted—too late.

"Call them off." Luca's voice was low, dangerous.

Raines didn't flinch. "DeLuca. I was wondering when we'd meet."

Luca shoved the gun harder against his head. "Tell them to stand down."

Raines smirked. "If I do that, you'll just kill me."

Luca's finger tightened on the trigger. "Exactly."

A pause.

Then—

Raines raised his hand. His men lowered their weapons.

Sofia and Henry moved in, guns ready.

Luca didn't lower his. "You sent Ghost after me. Why?"

Raines chuckled. "Because I knew you'd win."

Luca's grip tightened. "Wrong answer."

Raines' smirk never faded. "Oh, but it's the truth. Ghost was never my best assassin."

Luca's blood ran cold. Then who was?

—

The Twist

A sharp whistle pierced the air.

Then—gunfire.

A sniper round shattered the silence.

Sofia gasped.

Henry hit the ground.

Luca dove for cover, dragging Raines with him.

A voice crackled through an unseen speaker.

"Hello, Luca. Did you miss me?"

Luca's breath stalled.

He knew that voice.

Ghost wasn't the real threat.

The real assassin had just arrived.

And she was already hunting him.

—

Next Chapter: The Assassin's Return – A ghost from Luca's past comes back for blood. And this time, she won't miss.