Chapter 18: The Chase Begins

The cold night air bit into Lily's skin as they stepped out of Ava's apartment. Gabriel's mind was consumed with the information they had just uncovered, the name Alexander Cross reverberating in his thoughts. He hadn't heard that name in years, but the memories it brought back were still raw, painful. Cross had been a ghost in his past—someone who knew all of Gabriel's secrets, someone who had once been both a friend and an enemy.

Lily noticed the tightness in his posture as they walked toward the car. She wanted to ask him more, to understand the full extent of the history between Gabriel and Cross, but she sensed it wasn't the right moment. She could see that the weight of the past was pulling him down, and she didn't want to add to his burden just yet. Instead, she stayed close, offering him the quiet comfort of her presence.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly, her voice almost lost in the hum of the city's nightlife.

Gabriel nodded, though the effort was clearly forced. "I will be."

Lily knew that wasn't entirely true. The truth was, Gabriel had been running from his past for so long that the resurfacing of Alexander Cross felt like a ticking time bomb. No matter how hard he tried to bury it, Cross was a part of him—part of the life he had tried to leave behind. But now, it was clear that the past wasn't done with him yet.

As they arrived at the car, Gabriel slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. The sound of the car's engine cutting through the silence felt strangely final, as if the journey ahead was already set in motion. He pulled out of the parking lot, his hands gripping the wheel with an intensity that matched the urgency in his mind.

"Where do we start?" Lily asked, breaking the silence between them.

Gabriel hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of resolve. "We start with what we know. Cross has always worked in the shadows, pulling strings from behind the scenes. But now we have something concrete—his connections, his operations. He's been hiding for years, but it's time to bring him out."

Lily turned her attention to the road ahead, her mind racing as well. She couldn't help but think about the implications of their mission. They weren't just taking down a criminal syndicate anymore; they were going after a man who had ties to Gabriel's past—a man who knew the darkest corners of Gabriel's life. This was no longer just business. It was personal.

The city lights flickered as they made their way to the first location Ava had given them. It was an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, a place that once served as a base for illicit activities. Gabriel was sure that Cross had used it as a meeting point in the past, and it was the most logical place to begin their search. They didn't have much to go on, but they couldn't afford to waste time.

The car screeched to a stop in front of the warehouse, the tires squealing against the pavement. Gabriel's eyes scanned the area, looking for any signs of life. The building loomed before them, a dark silhouette against the night sky. The windows were boarded up, and there was no movement around the premises. It looked deserted—but Gabriel knew better than to trust appearances.

"We need to be careful," Gabriel muttered, his voice low. "Cross doesn't leave anything to chance."

Lily nodded, her senses on high alert. She had seen Gabriel in action before, but this was different. This wasn't just a mission—it was a confrontation. Whatever happened tonight would change everything. She could feel it in her bones.

They stepped out of the car, their footsteps echoing in the silence as they approached the warehouse. Gabriel led the way, his movements swift and calculated. He had dealt with people like Cross before, and he wasn't about to let the man slip through his fingers again.

As they reached the entrance, Gabriel paused, signaling for Lily to stay close. He pressed his ear to the door, listening for any sounds on the other side. For a moment, all he could hear was the wind rustling outside and the distant hum of traffic. But then, just as he was about to turn the handle, a faint noise broke the stillness—a soft click.

Lily's heart skipped a beat. She looked at Gabriel, and he gave her a quick nod. They were being watched.

Without hesitation, Gabriel swung the door open, and they both rushed inside, weapons drawn. The dim light inside revealed a vast, empty space, the concrete floor littered with old crates and broken furniture. It was eerily quiet, and Gabriel's instincts told him they weren't alone.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—a man in a dark coat, his face partially obscured by a hood. He moved with the grace of someone who was accustomed to hiding in plain sight.

"Gabriel Knight," the man said, his voice cold and calculating. "I've been expecting you."

Lily's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the tension between them, the air thick with the unspoken history that lingered like a fog.

Gabriel's gaze never wavered. "I should've known you'd be here, Cross."

A slow smile spread across the man's face. "You always were good at finding people. But you're too late. The game's already in motion, Gabriel."

Lily's hand tightened around her weapon, but Gabriel held up a hand, signaling for her to stay back. He knew this moment was coming. He had known it would eventually come to a head, but seeing Cross face to face again made his pulse race with a mixture of anger and fear.

"What do you want, Cross?" Gabriel demanded, his voice sharp.

The man chuckled darkly. "What I've always wanted. Power. Control. And now, with you out of the picture, it's all within my grasp."

Gabriel's jaw tightened. "You're not getting away with this."

Cross stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You've already lost, Gabriel. I've been pulling the strings for years. You're just too blind to see it."

The air between them crackled with tension, the weight of their past colliding with the present. But just as the moment seemed to reach its peak, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse. The sound of shuffling feet and the whir of machinery filled the air.

"Looks like we're not alone," Cross said, his smile widening. "You've walked right into my trap."

Before Gabriel or Lily could react, the lights went out, plunging them into darkness.

And in that moment, everything changed.