A Night of Reckoning

The city hummed with restless energy as the trio disappeared into the shadows, their adrenaline still running high. The streets were quieter than usual, as if the destruction they had left behind had sent ripples through the underworld. Everyone would know what happened tonight.

Luca, Evelyn, and Dante found refuge in a safe house on the outskirts of town—an old apartment with reinforced doors, blackout curtains, and enough weapons to wage another war.

Evelyn sat on the couch, pressing a cold cloth to the cut on her temple. Dante rummaged through the mini-fridge, pulling out a bottle of whiskey. "So, what's the plan?" he asked, pouring himself a drink.

Luca leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We move before they do. Before they can regroup, retaliate. If we strike first, we control the outcome."

Evelyn scoffed. "You make it sound so simple. But you know it's not."

Luca's eyes darkened. "It is. We finish this before they finish us."

Dante exhaled sharply. "So you're really going through with this, huh? No backing down?"

Luca didn't blink. "No."

Evelyn studied him. She had known Luca long enough to recognize the fire in his eyes—this wasn't just about survival anymore. It wasn't even just about revenge. This was about proving something.

She stood up, walking over to him. "If we do this, we do it together. No lone-wolf heroics, no reckless plans that get people killed." She placed a hand on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart. "Promise me."

Luca's jaw tightened. He hated making promises. Promises meant weakness. Promises could be broken.

But when he looked into Evelyn's eyes, he saw something raw, something that grounded him. And for a brief moment, the weight of his mission didn't seem as heavy.

"I promise," he murmured.

Evelyn nodded. "Good."

Dante took a swig of whiskey. "Then let's make this one hell of a finale."

—

Next Chapter: The Storm Before the Fire