The city's hum felt different that night—heavier, anxious, almost aware of the storm about to hit.
Ife and Arden had spent the day reorganizing their plans. Zara's intel had helped them block Julian's financial moves, but something gnawed at them both: Julian wasn't just targeting resources. He was targeting them.
"I feel like he's watching every street," Ife whispered, leaning against Arden in the safe house. "Like the city itself is a trap."
Arden rubbed her back. "That's because it is. He knows we're cornered—he's testing us, making us think there's no escape."
Just as he finished, Victor burst in, face pale. "He's moved. Fast. One of his men just tried to breach the perimeter of the safe house."
Ife's heart jumped. "Are we compromised?"
Victor shook his head. "No… but he's probing. Seeing how alert you are, how predictable your responses might be."
Arden's jaw tightened. "Then we go on the offensive."
By nightfall, the safe house had been fortified. Cameras, sensors, reinforced locks. Everything in place.
Ife sat reviewing the city maps when her phone buzzed. A single text:
Come outside, or she suffers. – J
Her chest tightened. Arden saw it immediately. "He's taken someone—?"
Ife shook her head. "He's bluffing… I think. But he wants me to react. To panic."
Arden's voice was low and dangerous. "We'll be ready if it's real. But you don't face him alone."
Before they could plan further, the lights flickered. Then died.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Footsteps. Soft, calculated.
Julian.
He stepped into the faint glow of streetlights filtering through the windows, hands empty but confident. "I've missed you," he said, calm. "But it's time to play for real."
Ife froze. Arden moved in front of her. "Stay out of my way, Julian."
Julian smiled, almost fondly. "I won't harm her… yet. That's not my style. No. I want to see the fear in you."
Arden's fingers curled around his gun. "You'll get nothing."
Julian laughed softly. "I always get what I want."
Seconds stretched into minutes.
Then a single gunshot shattered the silence.
Not at them. At the wall behind them. Concrete exploded, dust raining down. Julian didn't flinch.
He leaned closer to Ife. "Did you feel that?"
She swallowed hard. "I—"
"You're testing me," Arden said, voice tight. "This isn't a game."
Julian's expression softened, almost charmingly. "Oh, it's the greatest game. And I love when the stakes are this high."
Suddenly, a second shot rang out—closer this time, grazing the floor. Sparks of fear ignited. Arden grabbed Ife, pulling her down behind the table.
"Stay low!" he shouted.
Ife's hands shook, but her mind raced. Julian's pattern was clear—he wanted them scared, reacting. He wanted chaos.
She swallowed and whispered, "We can't wait for him. We have to move."
Arden looked at her, fierce pride flashing in his eyes. "You're right."
By the time they escaped into the back alley, Julian was already gone—but his presence lingered in every shadow, every echo.
Victor caught up, out of breath. "He knows the streets like the back of his hand. He's forcing us into the city itself."
Ife's heart raced. "Then we use it against him. He's predictable in his unpredictability."
Arden nodded. "We disappear in plain sight. Split up, regroup, strike when he least expects it."
They moved through the labyrinth of Lagos—markets, alleys, rooftops—blending into crowds, unrecognizable. Every corner could be Julian. Every passerby could be an ally of his.
Hours later, they regrouped in an abandoned warehouse near the docks. Sweat, exhaustion, and adrenaline clung to them.
Ife finally allowed herself to breathe. "He's not just after power… he's after us. Emotionally. Personally. He wants to break trust."
Arden took her hand, eyes fierce. "Then he's picked the wrong people. I'll protect you. Always. And we'll fight him. Together."
Ife nodded, chest tight with determination. "Together."
Outside, Lagos continued its restless hum, oblivious to the battle raging in its streets. And somewhere in the shadows, Julian watched, plotting his next strike—a move that would push them to the brink.