The sun hung low over the Aegean Sea, casting Santorini's white-washed buildings in hues of gold and amber as Wolfe and Bunny walked through the narrow streets. Tourists crowded the alleys, laughing and chatting as they took in the breathtaking views, unaware of the quiet storm brewing beneath the surface. Bunny's gaze lingered over the cliffs, the endless stretch of sapphire water below. It was picturesque, like a dream she'd never quite imagined herself in.
But even in a paradise like this, tension weighed on her. Their brief victory in Buenos Aires had come at a price—their rival was close, circling them like a shark scenting blood. She could feel Wolfe's tension, though he tried to mask it with his usual calm. She knew him better now, knew that the quiet glances over his shoulder, the tightness in his jaw, weren't just habits—they were signs he was anticipating trouble.
They stopped outside a small taverna, nestled into the hillside. Wolfe took out the worn booklet they'd acquired in Buenos Aires, glancing over the notes they'd made so far. Bunny studied his face, her own curiosity bubbling up.
"So, what's the next step?" she asked, leaning closer.
Wolfe traced his finger over a cryptic series of symbols drawn in the margins of the map. "The next clue lies in an artifact here on the island. It's kept in a private collection, owned by someone… well-connected. We'll have to get in and get out quickly."
Bunny nodded, a faint thrill running through her. She knew by now that "getting in" and "getting out" were rarely simple with Wolfe. "So, when do we make our move?"
"Tonight," Wolfe said, slipping the booklet back into his coat. "The owner is hosting a private event. With all the distractions, we'll have the perfect cover."
As they walked back toward their rented villa to prepare, Bunny's mind raced. She had learned more about Wolfe in the past few weeks than she'd ever expected to, yet there were still questions—deep, lingering ones—that he seemed reluctant to answer. She wanted to know about the rivalry, about the personal grudge their adversary seemed to hold against Wolfe. And tonight, if things went well, she intended to find out.
As darkness settled over Santorini, Wolfe and Bunny made their way through the winding streets toward the private estate. Wolfe had managed to secure them both invitations, and they blended in with the guests milling around the beautifully lit courtyard, sipping wine and enjoying live music under a canopy of stars.
The villa was grand, its arched doorways and marble floors a testament to old money and meticulous taste. Bunny kept her expression composed, but her heart hammered as she scanned the room, looking for any sign of their rival. Wolfe's hand settled on her back, grounding her as he leaned in.
"Stay close," he murmured, guiding her through the crowd.
They moved toward the far end of the villa, where a small gallery displayed various artifacts—the private collection Wolfe had mentioned. Bunny's gaze swept over the room, her eyes narrowing as she took in the rows of glass cases filled with ancient jewelry, statuettes, and relics from across the Mediterranean.
Wolfe stopped in front of one case, his gaze zeroing in on a small, tarnished medallion marked with intricate symbols. He gave Bunny a slight nod, and she stepped back, scanning the room as he discreetly worked to unlock the case with a small, precise tool.
But before they could secure the medallion, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows—their rival, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of triumph and malice as he stepped into the gallery, blocking their exit. He moved with the ease of someone who had expected this encounter, his posture relaxed yet predatory.
Wolfe straightened, his expression neutral but alert. "You're becoming a nuisance," he said, his tone cold.
Their rival smirked, folding his arms as he looked between them. "And you're becoming predictable, Wolfe. Chasing the Obelisk with your new partner, thinking you can just… waltz into my territory."
Bunny's fists clenched at his tone, the dismissiveness in his words igniting something fierce within her. She stepped closer to Wolfe, refusing to let their adversary intimidate her.
"Waltzing seems to be working just fine," she said, meeting the man's gaze head-on. "Besides, I didn't realize you owned Santorini."
The rival's smirk widened, but there was no humor in his eyes. "You've got spirit," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "But you have no idea what you're getting into."
Bunny felt Wolfe's hand on her arm, a silent signal to stay calm, but her frustration simmered. Their rival's arrogance grated on her, especially knowing how far they'd come to secure this next clue.
Wolfe's voice cut through the tension, measured and steady. "What do you want, really? I don't think it's just the Obelisk."
The man's gaze flickered, a flash of something darker—resentment, maybe, or something even more personal. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.
"What I want, Wolfe, is to see you suffer. You think you can leave our past behind, abandon everything without consequences? The Obelisk isn't just an artifact. It's a reminder. And I intend to use it to make you remember exactly who you left behind."
Wolfe's face remained impassive, but Bunny could feel the tension radiating from him. Whatever history lay between him and their rival, it ran deep, twisted with betrayal and anger. And she realized, with a sudden clarity, that Wolfe's quest for the Obelisk wasn't only about survival—it was personal.
Their adversary turned his gaze back to Bunny, his eyes narrowing. "And you… you're just his latest liability. Tell me, Bunny, do you think you'll fare any better than the others who've trusted him?"
Bunny refused to flinch, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. "You don't know me," she said quietly, her voice firm. "And you definitely don't know him. If you did, you'd know he's not the one who's afraid of what's coming."
A flicker of annoyance crossed the man's face, but Wolfe took that moment of distraction to pull her close. "We're leaving," he said quietly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
In a smooth, calculated movement, Wolfe pushed past their adversary, guiding Bunny through the crowded gallery and out into the night. The tension between them and their pursuer hadn't dissipated—instead, it had only grown, tightening like a coil ready to spring.
They made their way quickly through the winding streets, Wolfe's hand firmly gripping Bunny's as they moved through the shadows, the festive energy of Santorini a stark contrast to the tension coursing between them. Finally, they ducked into a quiet alleyway, Wolfe pausing to catch his breath.
Bunny looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "Wolfe… what did he mean about your past? About you leaving people behind?"
Wolfe's jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the cobblestone ground. For a moment, he said nothing, and Bunny thought he might refuse to answer. But then he looked at her, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his usual reserve.
"There were others," he said slowly. "People I worked with. Trusted, even. But this life… it doesn't leave room for trust. I left to protect them, but… some took it as betrayal."
Bunny's chest tightened as she absorbed his words, a pang of empathy mixing with the tension of the moment. "And now they're after you because they think you abandoned them?"
Wolfe's expression darkened. "Not just me. They're after you, too—anyone connected to me is a target." He took a breath, steadying himself. "That's why we need the Obelisk. It's the only leverage I have to put an end to this once and for all."
Bunny reached out, her hand brushing against his. "Then let's finish it. Together."
A hint of gratitude softened Wolfe's gaze, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Bunny."
Just as the moment settled between them, the distant sound of footsteps echoed down the alley. Wolfe's posture tensed, his gaze sharp. "He's not giving up," he murmured.
Bunny squared her shoulders, her own resolve solidifying. "Then we don't, either."
They exchanged a final, determined look before slipping back into the maze of Santorini's streets, their rival's presence a constant shadow behind them. Together, they moved through the night, their bond strengthened by each step, ready to face whatever lay ahead.