The Reckoning

The Safehouse

Theo didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Didn't breathe.

Evelyn. His Evelyn. The woman he would kill for. The woman he would die for.

Just shook hands with the devil.

A storm surged inside him, a violent, uncontrollable rage.

Kade rubbed his eyes groggily. "Theo? What's—"

Theo threw the phone at him.

Kade caught it. His eyes landed on the screen. He stilled.

"Shit."

Theo's hands curled into fists. His voice was dark, dangerous. "Get up."

Kade hesitated. "Theo, we don't—"

"Get up."

Kade didn't argue this time. He grabbed his gun, pulling on his jacket. "What's the plan?"

Theo's jaw was locked so tight it ached. "We go to Elias."

Kade frowned. "And then what?"

Theo's answer was simple.

"We end this."

---

Elias's Penthouse

Evelyn sat on the leather couch, staring at the glass of whiskey Elias had poured her.

She didn't drink it.

Elias sat across from her, lounging with that ever-present smirk. "You're thinking too much."

Evelyn met his gaze. "And you're too comfortable."

Elias chuckled. "You wound me."

She didn't react. "Let's talk."

His smirk deepened. "Oh, Evelyn. You and I both know the real game has already begun."

Before she could respond—

BOOM.

The doors slammed open.

The guards barely had time to react before two figures stormed inside.

Theo.

Kade.

Both armed. Both pissed.

Theo's gun was raised, finger on the trigger. But his eyes—his eyes were locked onto her.

And they were filled with nothing but betrayal.

Evelyn's chest tightened.

"Stand down," Elias said lazily, motioning to his guards. "Let's not be rude to our guests."

Theo's voice was lethal. "Shut the hell up."

Elias only smirked.

But Evelyn? She couldn't look away from Theo.

His jaw was tight, his expression carved from stone. But it was his eyes that hurt the most.

Like she had just ripped his heart out.

"Explain," he said, voice dangerously low.

Evelyn swallowed. "Theo—"

"No." He stepped closer, gun still raised. "I want the truth. Now."

Silence.

Then—Elias laughed. "Oh, this is delicious."

Theo snapped his gun toward Elias in an instant. "One more word, and you're dead."

Elias simply raised a brow. "And what about her?" He tilted his head toward Evelyn. "Is she dead to you too?"

Theo's breath hitched.

The room was silent.

Evelyn's fingers twitched. "I did what I had to."

Theo flinched like she had slapped him.

Kade exhaled sharply. "Evelyn, what the hell—"

Elias leaned back, sipping his whiskey. "You see, brother, your lovely little Evelyn is finally using her brain."

Theo's entire body went rigid.

Evelyn forced herself to stay still.

"You think this is smart?" Theo's voice was hoarse, raw. "Shaking hands with a man who would kill you the second it benefits him?"

Evelyn exhaled. "I'm playing the long game."

Theo's laugh was cold. "Bullshit."

She clenched her fists. "You're not seeing the whole picture."

"The whole picture?" Theo's hand shook."You want to know what I see, Evelyn? I see the woman I trust more than anyone standing beside the man who wants me dead."

Elias chuckled. "That does sound bad when you say it like that."

Theo didn't even look at him this time. His gaze was locked onto Evelyn.

"I risked everything for you." His voice cracked. "And this is what you do?"

Evelyn's throat tightened. "Theo, please."

"Don't."

That single word destroyed her.

Elias hummed. "Well. This has been fun." He glanced at Evelyn. "Shall I assume you're staying?"

Evelyn hesitated.

Theo's breath hitched.

Then—he did something that shattered her entirely.

He lowered his gun.

Stepped back.

And looked her in the eye.

"If you're staying," he said quietly, voice filled with pain, "then we're done."

Evelyn's heart stopped.

Kade stiffened. "Theo—"

But Theo was already walking away.

Already leaving..

And he didn't look back.

Not once.

---

End of Chapter 50