The rain had started again, a steady drumbeat against the windows of Evelyn's apartment. She sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, staring at the wall without really seeing it. Damian's words echoed in her mind, a relentless refrain that refused to be silenced.
*"You've made an enemy of the Kanes, Evelyn. And you're going to regret it."*
She shivered, pulling her knees to her chest. The confrontation had left her shaken, her nerves frayed and her mind racing. She had known the risks when she started this, but facing Damian—seeing the betrayal in his eyes—had made it all too real. She had crossed a line, and there was no going back.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting her from her thoughts. She reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Lucas's name on the screen.
"Evelyn," he said when she answered, his voice tense. "We need to talk. Can you meet me?"
She hesitated, glancing at the clock. It was nearly midnight, and the thought of stepping back out into the rain-filled night made her chest tighten. But she couldn't stay here, trapped in her own thoughts. She needed to keep moving, to keep fighting.
"Where?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The usual place," Lucas replied. "And Evelyn… be careful. The Kanes are on the warpath."
The call ended, and Evelyn sat there for a moment, her mind racing. She had to pull herself together. She couldn't afford to fall apart now—not when Victor's life was still on the line.
She changed quickly, pulling on a dark hoodie and jeans, then grabbed her bag and slipped out of the apartment. The rain was heavier now, soaking through her clothes as she hurried down the street. The city was eerily quiet, the usual hum of traffic and nightlife muted by the storm. It felt like the world was holding its breath, waiting for the next blow to fall.
The diner was just as she remembered it—dimly lit and nearly empty, with the faint hum of the jukebox playing in the background. Lucas was already there, sitting in the same corner booth as before. He looked up as she approached, his sharp green eyes scanning her with concern.
"You okay?" he asked as she slid into the seat across from him.
Evelyn nodded, though her hands were still trembling. "I've been better," she admitted. "Damian came to my apartment."
Lucas's expression darkened. "What did he say?"
"He knows," Evelyn said, her voice breaking. "He knows I betrayed him. And he… he warned me. Said I'd regret it."
Lucas leaned back in his seat, running a hand through his hair. "This complicates things," he said, his tone grim. "If Damian's onto you, you're not safe. We need to get you out of the city."
Evelyn shook her head, her jaw tightening. "I'm not leaving. Not until I find Victor."
Lucas studied her for a long moment, his expression softening. "You're just like your father," he said finally, his voice tinged with regret. "Stubborn as hell and too brave for your own good."
Evelyn felt a lump form in her throat at the mention of her father. She swallowed hard, pushing the emotion aside. "What did you find out?" she asked, her voice steady.
Lucas reached into his coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper, sliding it across the table to her. "We managed to get some intel from the guys we picked up at the warehouse. It's not much, but it's a start."
Evelyn unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the handwritten notes. There were names, addresses, and snippets of conversations—nothing concrete, but enough to piece together a vague picture of the syndicate's operations. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Victor's name circled at the bottom of the page.
"What's this?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Lucas leaned forward, his expression serious. "One of the guys mentioned a prisoner being held at a safe house outside the city. He didn't give a name, but the description matches Victor."
Evelyn's chest tightened, a surge of hope and fear crashing over her. "Where is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucas hesitated, his jaw tightening. "It's heavily guarded, Evelyn. You can't just walk in there."
"I don't care," Evelyn said, her voice firm. "If Victor's there, I'm going to get him out."
Lucas sighed, running a hand over his face. "I figured you'd say that. That's why I'm coming with you."
Evelyn's eyes widened. "Lucas, you don't have to—"
"Yes, I do," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You're not doing this alone. Not anymore."
Evelyn felt a surge of gratitude, but it was quickly overshadowed by the weight of what lay ahead. She nodded, her throat tight. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely audible.
Lucas reached across the table, placing a hand over hers. "We'll find him, Evelyn. But you need to be prepared. This isn't going to be easy."
Evelyn met his gaze, her eyes filled with determination. "I know. And I'm ready."
The rain continued to fall outside, the sound of it tapping against the windows filling the silence between them. Evelyn folded the paper and tucked it into her pocket, her mind racing. She had taken the first step, but she knew the road ahead would be fraught with danger.
As they left the diner and stepped out into the storm, Evelyn felt a shiver run down her spine. The shadows seemed to close in around her, the city's darkness pressing down like a weight. But she couldn't turn back now. Victor's life depended on her, and she would do whatever it took to bring him home.