The streets of Emerald City were uncharacteristically quiet. The neon lights flickered, the night air thick with tension. Everyone knew what had happened at the Blackwood estate.
Everyone knew the name Ochieng.
And now, they waited.
For his next move.
Or for the Blackwoods to strike back.
Inside a penthouse overlooking the skyline, Ochieng stood by the window, watching the city below. Behind him, Malik and Lin sat in silence.
"They'll retaliate," Lin finally said, her voice smooth but edged with warning.
Ochieng didn't turn. "Let them."
Malik chuckled, leaning back against the couch. "You don't even seem worried."
Ochieng smirked. "Because I'm not."
Lin arched an eyebrow. "And Serena?"
A flicker of emotion passed through Ochieng's eyes. He had seen her face after the gunshot. The way she had looked at him—not with fear, but something more dangerous.
Something like acceptance.
And that…
Was a problem.
Because Serena was supposed to be innocent in all this.
She wasn't supposed to be drawn into his world.
But now, she was.
And there was no turning back.
---
In the Blackwood mansion, the air was thick with cigar smoke and barely restrained fury.
Kieran slammed his fist on the table.
"That bastard killed my best friend in front of everyone!"
Elena, ever composed, took a sip of her wine. "It was a message."
Lucas leaned forward. "What are we going to do about it?"
A slow smile spread across Elena's lips. "We're going to remind him… that monsters aren't the only ones who know how to play dirty."
Kieran's eyes darkened. "Then we burn him to the ground."
---
Serena sat in her room, staring at her reflection. Her hands still trembled.
Not from fear.
From something deeper.
She had spent years in the Blackwood family, surrounded by men who claimed power through bloodshed. And yet, none of them had ever fought for her.
None of them had ever killed for her.
Except Ochieng.
And that realization scared her.
Because now, she wasn't sure if she wanted to run from him—
Or run to him.
---
Midnight.
A single explosion shattered the silence of Emerald City.
The Blackwoods had struck first.
And Ochieng?
He smiled.
"It's about time we stopped playing games."
Because this wasn't just war.
This was personal.