The city had grown darker that night, or maybe it just felt that way to Arden and Ife. Every shadow seemed alive, every alley a trap, every passerby a potential threat. Julian's attacks were no longer just about chaos—they were personal, precise, meant to destabilize, to provoke panic.
Victor's voice came over the earpiece. "He's moving again. Target confirmed: your mother. He knows you're connected."
Ife's stomach dropped. "My mother?"
"Yes," Victor said firmly. "He's baiting you, testing Arden. If either of you make a wrong move…" His words hung in the humid Lagos air.
Arden's hands curled around his gun. "Then we make no wrong moves. We're taking her before he can touch her."
They moved quickly, shadows among shadows, through narrow streets where Julian's presence could be anywhere. Every step was calculated. Every turn could be an ambush.
By the time they reached the safe location Victor had confirmed, it was clear: Julian had beaten them there. Signs of forced entry—doors ajar, papers scattered, subtle marks of violence—showed he had been precise, careful, yet merciless.
Ife's heart raced. "He was here. He was here."
Arden's jaw clenched. "Then he underestimated me. He doesn't know how far I'll go."
A soft moan caught their attention. They found Ife's mother tied to a chair in a back room, bruised but alive. Relief and horror collided inside Ife. "Mom!"
She ran forward, untangling the ropes. Arden kept watch, gun ready, eyes scanning every shadow.
Her mother's hand shook as she held Ife. "I knew you'd come," she whispered, tears streaking her face.
Ife swallowed hard. "We won't let him touch us again."
Arden pulled them both close. "Not ever. He won't break us. I promise."
But Julian wasn't done.
The sound of glass shattering made them freeze. He stepped into the room, hands empty, smile slow and dangerous. "Ah, reunion scenes always make the best drama."
Arden rose immediately, gun aimed. "Step back."
Julian shook his head. "I don't want to hurt her. Not yet. I want to hurt you—make you see that power isn't won by love. It's taken. And I'm very patient."
Ife's mother cried softly, clutching her daughter. Ife stepped in front of her, heart pounding. "You're done," she spat. "Leave us alone!"
Julian tilted his head. "Done? Oh no. We're just beginning. And this time…" His smile widened. "This time, you'll feel every loss personally."
A shot rang out—Julian ducked. Arden returned fire, aiming not to kill but to force him out. Chaos erupted. Furniture toppled. Glass shattered.
Ife ran to her mother, covering her with her body, shielding her as Arden engaged Julian. The fight was precise, brutal, and measured. Arden's training, Victor's intel, and Ife's strategic mind came together like a well-oiled machine.
But Julian was clever, moving with near-superhuman speed, striking from angles they hadn't anticipated. One of Victor's men went down—a serious injury. Arden's heart slammed. Every friend in the room felt like family, and now they were all at risk.
Ife's voice cut through the chaos. "Arden! The back exit!"
He followed her gaze. Julian was distracted for a moment, calculating his next move. That was all the opening they needed.
Arden grabbed Ife and her mother, sprinting through the back exit into the alleys, leaving chaos behind. Julian's laugh echoed after them, haunting and cruel.
Hours later, safe in another temporary hideout, they assessed the damage. Victor's man would recover, but the shock had shaken the entire team.
Ife's mother clung to her, trembling. "I never thought… I never thought we'd survive this."
Ife pressed a hand to her forehead. "We did. Because we're smart. And we fight together."
Arden sat nearby, exhausted but alert. "Julian's hitting harder now. Personal. Calculated. And he knows we're watching."
Ife's eyes hardened. "Then we make him regret ever stepping into our world."
Arden reached for her hand. "Together. Every step. Every fight. Every moment."
Outside, Lagos was silent for now. But Julian was still out there, a shadow in the city, plotting his next move. And if Arden and Ife thought they were safe… they were gravely mistaken.