The Price of Freedom

The city was still awake, but for the first time in weeks, Luca and Mira weren't running.

They had ditched the motorcycle a few miles from the bridge, disappearing into the backstreets before the police arrived. Now, they sat in a small motel room on the outskirts of town, the only light coming from the flickering neon sign outside the window.

Mira sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers tracing the bruises on her arm. Luca stood by the window, staring at his reflection in the glass.

They had won.

Victor was gone.

So why did it feel like the fight wasn't over?

—

The Scars That Remain

Mira exhaled, breaking the silence. "You're too quiet."

Luca didn't turn. "Just thinking."

She watched him for a moment before standing. Slowly, she walked up behind him, placing a hand on his back.

"We did it, Luca." Her voice was softer now. "We're free."

Luca closed his eyes. Free.

He wanted to believe it. But freedom came with a price. And he knew—the past never truly stayed buried.

—

A Ghost from the Past

A knock at the door shattered the fragile peace.

Luca spun, pulling the gun from his waistband in one swift motion. Mira's breath caught as she reached for her own weapon.

They had told no one where they were.

Luca moved cautiously, pressing his back against the wall beside the door. His grip on the gun tightened. "Who is it?"

A pause. Then—

"An old friend."

Luca's stomach clenched. The voice was familiar. Too familiar.

He glanced at Mira. She gave a small nod.

Luca exhaled, then unlatched the door.

Standing in the dim hallway was a man he hadn't seen in years. His hair was shorter, his jaw sharper, but those piercing green eyes hadn't changed.

Dominic.

Luca's former best friend. The man he had once trusted with his life—before everything fell apart.

—

Betrayal, Revisited

Mira tensed beside Luca, her fingers hovering over the trigger.

Dominic's eyes flicked to her, then back to Luca. "You gonna invite me in?"

Luca didn't move. "How did you find us?"

Dominic smirked. "You're good, Luca. But not that good."

Luca's jaw clenched. He had spent years covering his tracks, ensuring no one from his past could follow. And yet, here Dominic was.

"Relax," Dominic said, stepping closer. "I didn't come to fight."

Mira scoffed. "Then what do you want?"

Dominic's expression darkened. "To warn you."

Luca's pulse quickened. "About what?"

Dominic's eyes met his. "Victor wasn't working alone."

Silence.

A slow, cold realization crept through Luca's bones.

Victor was dead.

But his empire wasn't.

—

The War Isn't Over

Mira cursed under her breath. "You're telling me there's more?"

Dominic nodded. "Victor was just a piece of the puzzle. The real power? It's still out there."

Luca's mind raced. He had spent months planning, fighting, bleeding to escape this life. And now—

He was being pulled right back in.

He exhaled slowly, then met Dominic's gaze. "Tell me everything."

Mira sighed beside him. "Looks like we're not done yet."

No, they weren't.

Because if Victor was just the beginning…

The real fight was still coming.

—

Next Chapter: A New Enemy Rises.