The first rays of dawn seeped through the blinds of the townhouse, casting faint patterns across the minimalist décor. Elena stirred awake, the weight of exhaustion and worry still pressing heavily on her chest. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table: 6:12 AM.
She hadn't slept much. Her mind had been a battlefield of questions, fears, and memories of Lucian's words from the night before.
A soft knock at the door broke her thoughts.
"Elena?" Mia's voice was tentative, barely above a whisper.
"Come in," Elena called, sitting up and running a hand through her hair.
Mia stepped inside, her face pale and drawn, her eyes rimmed with exhaustion. She clutched a steaming mug of coffee in her hands, offering it to Elena with a small, apologetic smile.
"Thought you might need this," Mia said.
Elena took the mug, grateful for the gesture. "Thanks. How are you feeling?"
Mia hesitated, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Better, I guess. But… I keep thinking about them. The Black Veil. It's like they're always watching."
Elena reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her sister's arm. "They won't hurt you again, Mia. I'll make sure of it."
Before Mia could respond, there was another knock at the door—firmer this time.
"Elena, we need to talk," Lucian's voice came from the other side.
Mia tensed, her fingers tightening around the hem of her sweatshirt.
Elena sighed. "Give me a minute."
Lucian didn't reply, but she heard his footsteps retreating down the hallway.
Mia glanced at her sister, worry etched into her features. "Do you trust him?"
Elena hesitated. "I don't know. But right now, he's our best chance at staying alive."
Mia nodded reluctantly. "Be careful, Elena. He's… intense."
Elena gave her sister a reassuring smile, though she felt anything but reassured herself. "Stay here. I'll handle him."
She slipped out of the bedroom and found Lucian waiting in the living room, his tall frame silhouetted against the large windows. He was already dressed, his black shirt and slacks giving him an air of effortless authority.
"You're up early," Elena said, crossing her arms.
Lucian turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "Trouble doesn't sleep. And neither do I."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "What's so urgent?"
He gestured for her to sit, but she remained standing. Lucian sighed, clearly not in the mood to argue.
"I made some calls last night," he said. "Victor Kade knows you have Mia. He's mobilizing his people. We don't have much time."
Elena's stomach tightened. "What does that mean? Are they coming here?"
"Not yet," Lucian replied. "But it's only a matter of time. Kade is methodical. He'll send scouts first, then his enforcers. We need to stay ahead of him."
Elena's mind raced. "What do you suggest?"
Lucian stepped closer, his amber eyes locking onto hers. "We go on the offensive. I know where Kade operates. If we hit one of his safehouses, we can send him a message—and maybe find something to use against him."
Elena frowned. "You want to pick a fight with one of the most dangerous men in the city? That sounds suicidal."
Lucian's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "You're already in the fight, Elena. The only question is whether you're going to hit back."
She hated how logical he sounded.
"And what about Mia?" she asked. "I'm not leaving her unprotected."
"She'll stay here," Lucian said. "This place is secure. I'll have someone I trust keep an eye on her."
Elena narrowed her eyes. "Someone you trust? Like who?"
Lucian hesitated, as if weighing whether to tell her. "Her name is Natalia. She's… an old friend. She'll keep Mia safe."
Elena didn't like the idea of leaving her sister with a stranger, but she didn't see another option.
"Fine," she said finally. "But if anything happens to Mia while we're gone, I'll hold you personally responsible."
Lucian's expression didn't waver. "Understood."
---
An hour later, Elena found herself in the passenger seat of Lucian's SUV once again, her nerves on edge as they drove through the city.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked.
"An old warehouse on the south side," Lucian replied. "Kade uses it to store contraband and weapons. It's not his main base, but it's important enough to get his attention."
Elena glanced at him. "And what's the plan? Walk in and start shooting?"
Lucian smirked. "Not quite. We'll be in and out before they know what hit them."
"Comforting," Elena muttered.
The warehouse came into view, a hulking structure surrounded by chain-link fences and dimly lit by flickering floodlights. Lucian parked a few blocks away, and they approached on foot, the tension between them palpable.
"Stay close," Lucian murmured as they slipped through a gap in the fence.
Elena's heart pounded as they crept toward the building. She wasn't used to this kind of danger—sneaking into enemy territory, relying on a man she barely trusted.
Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit, the air heavy with the smell of oil and metal. They moved silently through the shadows, Lucian leading the way with practiced ease.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the space.
"Who's there?"
Lucian grabbed Elena's wrist, pulling her behind a stack of crates. He held a finger to his lips, his eyes sharp and focused.
The sound of footsteps grew louder, and Elena's pulse quickened. She felt Lucian's hand tighten on hers, grounding her in the moment.
When the guard passed, Lucian moved swiftly, his movements almost predatory. In seconds, the man was unconscious on the floor.
"Let's go," Lucian whispered, his voice low and urgent.
They reached a small office at the back of the warehouse, and Lucian picked the lock with ease. Inside, he rifled through a stack of papers while Elena kept watch.
"What are we looking for?" she asked.
"Anything that connects Kade to his operations," Lucian replied. "Names, locations, shipments—anything we can use."
Elena's eyes scanned the room, her nerves still on edge. "Hurry up. I don't like this."
Lucian didn't respond, his focus unwavering.
Suddenly, the sound of voices outside the office made them both freeze.
"They're coming," Elena whispered.
Lucian grabbed a folder and stuffed it into his jacket. "Time to go."
They slipped out the back door, the tension between them thick as they made their way back to the SUV.
As they drove away, Elena couldn't help but glance at Lucian, her heart still racing.
"You're insane," she said, her voice trembling.
Lucian smirked. "And yet, you're still here."
Elena didn't respond, but as she looked out the window, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in deeper than she'd ever intended.
---