The Assassin’s Return

The world blurred around Luca as he pressed against the crate for cover. The sniper's bullet had barely missed him—too close.

Sofia was dragging Henry behind a rusted metal beam, her face set in grim determination. He was still breathing, but the bullet had grazed his shoulder.

Raines, still on the ground beside Luca, chuckled. "Ah, you finally understand."

Luca gritted his teeth. "Who is she?"

Another shot rang out, splintering the crate inches from his head.

Raines tilted his head. "She doesn't have a name. Not anymore."

Luca's mind raced. The voice over the speaker—he knew it.

Not from the streets. Not from the cartel.

From before.

From his past.

A chill ran down his spine. This wasn't just business. It was personal.

—

The Deadliest Enemy

The sniper fire stopped. A calculated pause.

She wanted them to move. To panic.

Sofia pulled out her gun, whispering, "We need to get to the car."

Luca didn't move. "No. She's herding us."

Sofia: "Who the hell is she?"

Luca's jaw clenched. "The one Ghost was afraid of."

Silence.

Then—a soft click.

Luca's instincts screamed. Grenade.

—

The Escape

He grabbed Raines and threw him toward the blast.

The explosion roared, sending shockwaves through the warehouse.

Luca tackled Sofia, rolling them behind a stack of shipping containers.

Raines' men weren't as lucky.

Dust and fire filled the air.

Then— footsteps.

Slow. Deliberate.

She was coming.

—

Face to Face

Luca pushed himself up, coughing.

And then—he saw her.

She stepped through the smoke like a shadow given form.

Dressed in black tactical gear, a rifle slung across her back. A knife in her gloved hand, twirling it between her fingers.

Her eyes locked onto his.

And Luca's heart stopped.

"No."

Sofia tensed beside him. "You know her."

The assassin smirked. "Hello, Luca."

Her voice.

It hit him like a punch to the gut.

Because it wasn't just familiar.

It belonged to the woman he once loved.

—

Next Chapter: A Past That Burns – Luca is forced to confront the greatest betrayal of his life. The woman he once loved is the deadliest assassin he's ever faced. And she's here to finish what she started.