Chapter 12 – The Hunt Begins
Evelyn lay awake in the motel room, staring at the ceiling.
Adrian's story had shaken her to her core.
She had spent seven years believing he had left her, that he had walked away without looking back.
Now, she knew the truth.
He had never stopped fighting to return to her.
And the people who took him?
They were still out there.
A deep rage settled in Evelyn's chest.
They stole seven years from them.
They buried the truth.
And now, she and Adrian were going to bury them.
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Tracking the Ghosts of Blackgate
Adrian stood near the motel window, his back to her, eyes locked on the night outside.
"They won't stop looking for me," he said quietly. "Not after what I did."
Evelyn swallowed hard. "Then we don't wait for them to come."
Adrian turned, watching her.
"We hunt them first."
His lips curled into a small, dangerous smirk.
"Glad to see you haven't lost your fire."
Evelyn crossed her arms. "You spent seven years locked in hell because of these people. I'm not letting them get away with it."
Adrian nodded, then pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I started looking into them the moment I got out," he said, laying it on the table.
Evelyn leaned over. It was a list of names and locations.
Blackgate might have been shut down, but its leaders, guards, and enforcers were still in the shadows.
Scattered, but not gone.
And one name at the top of the list stood out.
Jonas Reddington.
Evelyn's pulse quickened. "That was the man you fought?"
Adrian's jaw clenched. "He survived."
Evelyn's breath caught.
"He's the reason I was taken in the first place," Adrian continued. "And he's still running operations in the underground."
His storm-gray eyes locked onto hers.
"He's our first target."
---
The First Move
The next day, Evelyn and Adrian drove toward the city's industrial district.
Reddington's last known location was an abandoned warehouse—a known Blackgate safehouse.
The plan was simple: gather information, confirm Reddington was still there, and get out.
At least, that was the plan.
Reality was never that simple.
Because when they arrived, it wasn't just a warehouse.
It was a fully guarded base.
At least fifteen armed men.
Evelyn's hands curled into fists. "This wasn't just a hideout."
Adrian's expression darkened. "It's a war zone."
---
The Infiltration
They parked the car a few blocks away.
Evelyn watched as Adrian pulled out a knife and a silenced pistol.
Her stomach twisted.
She had never seen him like this before—focused, controlled, deadly.
Adrian caught her staring. "You don't have to be part of this."
Evelyn shook her head. "I'm not leaving you."
A flicker of something flashed in his eyes.
Then, he nodded once.
"Stay close," he murmured.
They moved through the shadows, avoiding the outer guards.
Every step, every breath was measured.
And then—Adrian struck.
✔ The first guard never even saw him. A swift, silent takedown.
✔ The second barely had time to react before Adrian grabbed him and knocked him unconscious.
✔ The third reached for his radio— Evelyn grabbed a loose pipe and swung, knocking him out cold.
Adrian raised an eyebrow at her.
She shrugged. "Figured I'd help."
He smirked. "Not bad."
But then—everything went wrong.
Because the moment they reached the entrance—
A red laser dot appeared on Adrian's chest.
A sniper.
And then—
Gunfire exploded around them.
---
The Ambush
"RUN!" Adrian grabbed Evelyn's wrist, pulling her behind cover.
Bullets tore through the air.
The entire warehouse came alive—guards pouring out, shouting orders.
They had been waiting for them.
Adrian cursed under his breath. "They knew we were coming."
Evelyn's pulse pounded. "What do we do?"
Adrian reloaded his pistol.
"We fight."
He broke cover, firing three precise shots—two men went down instantly.
But there were too many.
They needed a way out.
And then—Evelyn saw it.
A stack of gas canisters near the loading dock.
"Adrian, shoot the canisters!" she shouted.
He didn't hesitate.
One shot.
BOOM.
The explosion ripped through the warehouse, sending shockwaves through the air.
The guards scrambled, momentarily disoriented.
"Go!" Adrian grabbed Evelyn's hand, and they sprinted toward the exit.
But just as they reached the door—
A familiar voice stopped them cold.
"Well, well."
Adrian froze.
A tall figure stepped out from the smoke, his face covered in scars.
Jonas Reddington.
"Didn't think I'd see you again, Hale."
Adrian's fists clenched.
Reddington smirked, raising a pistol.
"You should've stayed dead."
And then—he pulled the trigger.
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