The ride to the docks was silent, the tension between them thick, punctuated only by the occasional hum of the car engine. Dominic drove with an intensity that matched the storm brewing in Elena's mind.
The city lights blurred by in streaks of neon, casting fleeting shadows on his chiseled face. Elena stole glances at him, her thoughts tangled with the mystery of who this man really was—and how much she could truly trust him.
The closer they got to the docks, the more her heart pounded. Liam was out there, tangled in something far more dangerous than she had ever imagined. She felt the weight of it pressing on her, but underneath that fear, a fire burned—anger at her brother for his reckless choices, and anger at herself for not seeing the signs sooner.
Dominic finally spoke, breaking the tense silence. "When we get there, follow my lead. Harrington's men aren't the kind you want to be dealing with on your own." Elena clenched her fists, her voice tight with frustration. "I'm not helpless, Dominic. I didn't come here to stand in the background while you play hero. I'm here to save my brother."
His eyes flicked toward her for a second, his expression unreadable. "You'll do what you have to. But don't get in over your head. This isn't just about you anymore." His words hung in the air, carrying a weight she couldn't deny.
As much as she wanted to argue, she knew he was right. If she made one wrong move, it wouldn't just be Liam in danger—it would be both of them. As they pulled up to the docks, the scene before them was a far cry from the bustling waterfront Elena remembered.
The area was nearly deserted, the few lights casting long, eerie shadows across the rows of shipping containers. A cold breeze blew in from the water, biting at her skin, and for a moment, she felt the full weight of the danger they were walking into.
Dominic parked the car in a dark corner, out of sight, and turned to her, his expression serious. "Stay close. Harrington's men will be watching every angle." Elena nodded, swallowing the knot of anxiety in her throat. She followed him out of the car, her eyes scanning the dimly lit landscape for any signs of movement.
The silence was unnerving, broken only by the occasional creak of metal as the wind whipped through the containers. They crept through the shadows, Dominic moving with a quiet confidence that both reassured and unnerved her.
She couldn't deny the comfort she felt having him by her side, even if she still didn't fully understand his motivations. The man was an enigma, one who thrived in situations like this. It was clear he'd been in more than his share of dangerous dealings, but that only made her question what he really wanted from her—and from this whole mess.
"Over there," Dominic whispered, nodding toward a cluster of men standing near one of the larger containers. The faint glow of a cigarette flared in the darkness, revealing the faces of Harrington's men. Elena's breath caught in her throat when she saw Liam.
He was standing just a few feet away from them, his face pale under the harsh dock lights. He looked worn, defeated, like he hadn't slept in days. One of Harrington's men had a hand on his shoulder, holding him in place. The sight made Elena's blood boil. "Liam," she whispered under her breath, her fists clenching.
Dominic's hand shot out, grabbing her arm before she could move. "Wait," he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "We don't know what's going on yet. If you charge in now, you'll only get yourself—and him—killed." Elena's chest heaved with anger, but she forced herself to stay still.
Dominic was right. As much as she wanted to run to her brother, to pull him out of whatever nightmare he'd found himself in, she couldn't risk it. Not until they knew the full picture. They stayed hidden in the shadows, watching as one of the men stepped forward, his face partially obscured by the dim light.
He exchanged a few words with Liam, but Elena couldn't make out what they were saying. Dominic narrowed his eyes, his body tensing beside her. "That's Victor Harrington's right-hand man. If he's here, Harrington can't be far." Elena's pulse raced.
This was it—the moment everything came to a head. She knew she was in over her head, but there was no turning back now. Liam needed her, and whether she liked it or not, she needed Dominic. Dominic glanced at her, his voice barely a whisper. "Stay here. I'm going to get closer. Don't move until I say."
Before she could argue, he disappeared into the shadows, moving with the stealth of a predator. Elena watched him go, her heart pounding in her chest. Every instinct told her to follow him, to be by his side, but she forced herself to stay still. She had to trust him.
Even if it terrified her. Minutes passed in agonizing silence, each one stretching out longer than the last. Elena's fingers itched with the urge to act, to do something, but she stayed rooted to the spot, her eyes locked on the scene unfolding before her. Suddenly, there was movement.
Dominic emerged from the shadows, taking down one of Harrington's men with a quick, silent strike. Before the others could react, he was on them, moving with lethal precision. Elena's breath caught as the fight erupted. In the chaos, she saw her chance.
Without thinking, she bolted from her hiding spot, her feet carrying her toward Liam. "Elena, no!" Dominic's voice rang out, but she was already moving. She reached Liam just as the man holding him spun around, his eyes narrowing in recognition. "You!" he spat, grabbing for her arm.
But Elena was faster. She ducked under his grasp, her hand shooting out to grab Liam's wrist. "Come on!" she urged, pulling him toward safety. Liam stumbled after her, dazed and confused, but alive.
That was all that mattered. Behind them, Dominic was locked in combat, his movements a blur of violence and efficiency. He caught Elena's eye for a brief second, his expression a mix of frustration and something deeper—something that made her heart skip a beat. But there was no time for that now.
They had to get out of there. Fast.