The city never truly slept. Beneath the surface of flashing neon lights and bustling streets, a darker world thrived—a world of power, blood, and revenge.
Richard moved swiftly through the alleys, his body tense but his mind razor-sharp. The escape had gone exactly as planned, but he wasn't foolish enough to think he was safe yet. Dylan's men would be looking for him.
His car was waiting a few blocks away. One of his most trusted subordinates, Vincent, stood by the driver's seat, scanning the area. When he saw Richard approaching, he quickly opened the door.
"Boss," Vincent greeted. "We need to move."
Richard slid into the backseat, exhaling deeply as the car pulled onto the main road. "Status update."
Vincent didn't hesitate. "We lost a few men getting you out, but the operation was successful. Your safe house is secure, and the underworld is already whispering about your return."
Richard smirked. Let them talk.
He leaned back, his fingers tapping against his knee. "And Dylan?"
Vincent's expression darkened. "Still untouchable. But with you out, things are bound to change."
Richard's smirk widened. Dylan thought he had won. He was wrong.
---
Back at Dylan's Mansion
Dylan sat in his office, his fingers pressing into the bridge of his nose. His patience was wearing thin.
Jayden stood in front of him, stiff and quiet. He wasn't expecting a warm welcome after their last conversation, but the tension between them had only gotten worse.
A knock on the door interrupted the silence. One of Dylan's men stepped inside, his face pale. "Boss… we have a problem."
Dylan lifted his gaze, his cold eyes locking onto the man. "Speak."
The guard swallowed hard. "Richard… he's escaped."
A dangerous silence filled the room.
Jayden's eyes widened slightly. This wasn't supposed to happen.
Dylan leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. So… the little brother had slipped through his fingers.
He chuckled darkly. "He's more persistent than I thought."
Jayden, sensing the growing storm, stepped forward. "We need to track him down before he regroups. If he disappears into the shadows—"
Dylan's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "I know exactly where he'll go."
Jayden frowned. "Where?"
Dylan smirked. "To me."
---
Heaven's Restless Night
Heaven stared out of her bedroom window, the city lights flickering in the distance. Something felt… wrong.
Her heart had been uneasy all day, as if she could sense a storm coming.
She turned away from the window and hugged her arms around herself. She needed to get out of here.
But with Dylan watching her like a hawk, escaping wouldn't be easy.
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She hesitated before opening it.
Jayden stood there. His expression was unreadable.
"What do you want?" she asked, crossing her arms.
He hesitated before answering. "Be careful, Heaven."
Her brows furrowed. "What?"
Jayden sighed. "Richard's back."
Her breath hitched.
Richard. The stepbrother. The one who hated Dylan.
And if he was back, that could only mean one thing—the war was just beginning.