Elegbede_Habeeb

The first time they met, it felt like fate. The second time, it felt like a warning.

She was running from a past that refused to die. He was chasing a future that seemed just out of reach. When their worlds collided, it was more than just love—it was an obsession, a wildfire that threatened to burn them both alive.

But love isn’t always salvation. Sometimes, it’s destruction in disguise.

Bound by Fire: Ashes of Desire

The city was alive with neon lights and the distant hum of sirens as Luca and Mira weaved through the backstreets, their breath ragged from running.

Luca's grip on her wrist was tight, keeping her close, keeping her safe. The weight of the bag—their escape plan—pressed against his side with every step.

They had one chance. One shot to disappear before Victor realized she was gone.

Mira tugged him toward a dark alley. "This way. I stashed a car."

Luca raised a brow. "You always this prepared?"

Mira shot him a look. "You think I survived this long by being reckless?"

Luca smirked. "Could've fooled me."

They reached the car—a sleek black sedan parked beneath a broken streetlight. Mira fumbled for the keys, but Luca grabbed her arm.

The hairs on his neck stood. The air felt… wrong.

A red glow blinking under the car.

"Mira," Luca breathed, stepping in front of her. "We can't take the car."

Her brows furrowed, but then she followed his gaze—her face paled. "He knows."

Luca pulled her back just as the roar of engines filled the street.

The first shot cracked the night air. Luca pushed Mira behind a dumpster as a bullet ricocheted off metal.

"Stay down," he ordered, pulling the gun from the bag.

Mira's fingers curled around his wrist. "Luca, we can't win this."

Luca met her gaze. "We don't have to win. We just have to survive."

He turned, fired twice—one man dropped. But there were more, moving in fast.

Mira grabbed a brick from the ground and hurled it at one of them, knocking his gun loose. "We need another way out!"

Luca scanned the alley—his mind racing.

"Go!" Luca lifted Mira up first, ignoring the burn in his ribs. She scrambled up, reaching for his hand.

A bullet struck the metal railing, sending sparks flying.

He gritted his teeth and climbed, his muscles screaming. As soon as he hit the rooftop, Mira yanked him forward, running without looking back.

Below them, Victor's men shouted, their voices filled with rage.

They had minutes before they found another way up.

Mira's chest heaved as she turned to Luca. "Where do we go now?"

Luca pulled a set of keys from his pocket—the backup plan he never told her about.

Mira's eyes widened. "You have another car?"

Luca smirked. "I have something better."

Next Chapter: The Final Stand – Luca and Mira's last shot at freedom comes with a price. Will they make it out alive?

The Getaway