Thunder rumbled in the distance as dark clouds gathered overhead. Morning had barely broken when Dylan stepped out of the safehouse, his eyes scanning the treeline with precision. His black coat danced with the wind, his expression unreadable.
Inside, the atmosphere had shifted. Everyone felt it. A war was coming.
Jayden entered with urgency in his step. "Our sources confirmed it—Richard's men are on the move. They'll be here by nightfall."
Dylan's jaw clenched. "Good. Let them come."
"But boss, we're outnumbered. Even if we fight back, there's no guarantee—"
"I don't need guarantees, Jayden. I need Richard to bleed."
Jayden didn't push further. He knew once Dylan reached this state, there was no talking him down.
---
Back Inside – Heaven's Moment
Heaven stood by the window of Michael's room, arms wrapped around herself. She hadn't slept. She couldn't—not with everything about to spiral out of control.
She turned as Dylan entered.
"Are you taking him away again?" she asked quietly.
"No. He stays here," Dylan replied. "You both do."
She blinked. "You're not going to use him again as bait?"
Dylan stared at her for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Not this time."
He walked over to Michael's bedside and placed something on the table beside him. Heaven moved closer and saw it was a small wooden cross—worn, old.
"Samantha gave it to me," Dylan said, eyes on Michael. "Said it would protect me when she couldn't."
He didn't meet Heaven's gaze, but she could see it—beneath the stone-cold exterior, something in him was unraveling.
"She must've loved you very much," Heaven said softly.
"She did." A pause. "And I destroyed that love."
The silence between them was heavy but honest.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked.
"Because if I don't make it out of this… someone should know who I really was."
Heaven's breath caught in her throat, but before she could speak, the sound of an approaching vehicle shattered the moment.
Jayden's voice echoed from the hallway, "Boss! They're here!"
---
On the Battlefield – Richard's Arrival
Richard stepped out of the black armored SUV, the wind whipping at his coat. His eyes were cold, focused.
He turned to his right-hand man. "Surround the compound. No one escapes. I want Dylan's head tonight."
"Yes sir."
Richard's troops moved like shadows through the trees, weapons locked and loaded. They had waited years for this—now, revenge was within reach.
---
Inside the Safehouse – Final Preparations
Dylan was already strapping on his holster. He turned to Jayden. "Get the snipers on the roof. Everyone else, defense formation."
"And you?"
"I'm going to welcome my little brother myself."
He walked toward the exit, passing Heaven on his way. She reached out, grabbing his arm.
"Come back alive," she said quietly.
For the first time in days, Dylan's cold expression softened.
"I'll try."
And with that, he disappeared into the storm.