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 room was thick with tension. Vaughn's warning still hung in the air like smoke from a dying fire.

Rayna was the first to break the silence. "There has to be a way to stop this before it escalates."

Vaughn shook his head. "It's too late. The order is out. And if I got my hands on it, you can bet there are already people mobilizing."

Luca tightened his fists. "Who sent it?"

Vaughn exhaled sharply. "That's the real problem. It's not just the government. Private contractors, mercenaries, and anyone looking for a payday—they're all going to come after you now."

Julian swore under his breath. "A bounty?"

"Fifty million," Vaughn confirmed. "Dead or alive."

Luca felt his stomach tighten. He had expected backlash, but not like this. He had hoped his words in the interview would inspire understanding, not turn him into the most wanted man in the world.

Rayna's voice was quiet but firm. "Then we fight."

Vaughn scoffed. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't some street gang or lone assassin. This is a coordinated effort to wipe Luca off the map. You can't just fight them off one by one."

Luca looked at him. "Then what do you suggest?"

Vaughn hesitated, then sighed. "You disappear."

Rayna stood abruptly. "Absolutely not."

Julian nodded. "Hiding isn't an option. Luca didn't come this far to vanish into the shadows."

Luca ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. He had spent so much of his life running. But this time, he couldn't. Wouldn't.

"No." His voice was steady. "I won't run. If they want to come for me, then I'll make them regret it."

Vaughn groaned. "You're impossible."

Julian grinned. "That's what makes him Luca."

A sharp knock at the door made them all freeze.

Vaughn pulled his gun instantly, gesturing for everyone to stay silent. Rayna moved closer to Luca, her fingers lightly brushing against his arm. He felt her warmth, her presence grounding him.

Vaughn signaled to Julian, who moved toward the window, peeking outside. His face darkened. "We have company."

Luca's pulse quickened. "How many?"

Julian's expression was grim. "Too many."

The Hunt Begins