The Blackwood estate loomed in the distance, its towering structure a monument to power, greed, and blood-soaked history.
Ochieng stood at the edge of the rooftop, his sharp gaze sweeping across the city he was destined to conquer.
Beside him, Malik lit a cigarette, the ember flaring against the dark sky. "They think they can break you."
Ochieng's lips curled into a smirk. "They don't realize…I was never whole to begin with."
Down below, in the grand ballroom, Serena twirled in the arms of a man who wasn't him.
Ochieng's fingers clenched at his side.
Not because he was jealous.
But because he knew—this was a game.
A test.
And he never lost.
---
Elena Blackwood leaned closer to Kieran, her voice like silk and venom intertwined. "Do you know what happens when a man like Ochieng is pushed too far?"
Kieran chuckled, swirling his whiskey. "He falls."
Elena's smile widened. "No, dear brother. He burns the world down."
And at that moment—
A gunshot rang through the night.
Gasps filled the ballroom.
People scattered.
And in the center of it all—
Serena stood frozen, blood splattered across her white dress.
She turned slowly, her wide eyes locking onto Ochieng's from across the room.
And behind her, collapsing to the ground, was the man who had dared to touch her.
Dead.
Ochieng lowered his gun, stepping forward as the world held its breath.
His voice was low, lethal. "I warned you."
Serena's chest rose and fell rapidly. "Ochieng…what have you done?"
He reached for her.
And she didn't pull away.
Because deep down—
She had always known.
This man was dangerous.
And yet, he was the only one who had ever truly been hers.
---
The Blackwood family was silent as they watched the scene unfold.
Lucas exhaled sharply. "He didn't even hesitate."
Elena tilted her head, intrigued. "Of course not. That's what makes him terrifying."
Kieran downed the rest of his drink, his jaw tight.
Ochieng had just declared war.
And war…
Was exactly what he would get.
---
In the streets, whispers spread like wildfire.
The Blackwoods had drawn blood.
Ochieng had answered.
Now, Emerald City belonged to no one.
Because when monsters clash, the city burns with them.
And in the middle of it all—
A love that should not exist.
But one that could never be stopped.
---