The night was thick with tension. Dylan returned to the mansion after seeing Heaven and Michael off, but there was no time to rest. The estate was already bracing for the next blow. Inside the war room, Jayden and a few trusted captains stood around a digital map that displayed all of Dylan's territories, allies, and vulnerabilities.
Jayden looked up as Dylan entered. "We've confirmed Richard's men hit two of our warehouses last night. Supplies were lost, but no casualties."
Dylan's jaw clenched. "He's cutting into our foundation. Hitting our veins."
"Should we strike back?" another captain asked.
"No," Dylan said calmly, stepping closer to the screen. "We don't retaliate recklessly. That's what he wants—to make me play on his terms. But we'll bleed him first."
---
SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY – RICHARD'S SAFEHOUSE
Richard watched the footage of Dylan's compound, studying each detail with eyes that burned with envy and hatred.
"He moved the girl," Darius said. "She's no longer at the estate."
"Of course he did," Richard murmured, voice cold. "She's his one tether to humanity. Strip that away, and he becomes what I need him to be—unhinged, reckless."
Darius shifted. "What if she fights back? She's not as weak as we thought."
Richard smirked. "Oh, I hope she does. The more she resists, the sweeter her fall will be."
He turned away. "Send someone to follow her. Discreetly. No mistakes."
---
SAFEHOUSE – HEAVEN'S TEMPORARY HAVEN
Heaven looked out the window of the secluded house Dylan had sent her to. It was quiet, too quiet for her restless heart. Michael lay asleep in the room behind her, slowly recovering thanks to Dylan's insistence on a private doctor.
Still, her thoughts spun endlessly.
Dylan's confession about Richard had shaken her. He'd opened a small door to his past, to the truth he never let anyone see. And for some reason, that truth terrified her more than his threats ever had.
"Why do I even care?" she whispered to herself.
But she knew the answer. Somewhere along the way, hate had tangled with understanding… and understanding had started to look dangerously like something else.
---
DYLAN'S ESTATE – MIDNIGHT
Dylan stood alone in the courtyard, looking up at the moon. Jayden approached silently.
"We've captured one of Richard's spies," Jayden said. "Found him near the escape route we used for Heaven."
Dylan's eyes flicked to him. "Interrogate him."
Jayden hesitated. "Dylan… are you sure you're okay? You haven't rested in days."
"I don't have the luxury of sleep when everything I've built is under attack," Dylan muttered. "He's coming for all of it."
Jayden nodded, then paused. "You think she's safe?"
Dylan turned away. "No. Not until Richard is dead."
---
IN THE DUNGEONS
The spy groaned as cold water hit his face. Dylan stepped into the dimly lit cell, gloves on, his voice like steel.
"Let's talk."
The man shivered. "You're too late. Richard's already three moves ahead."
Dylan crouched. "Then let's play catch-up, shall we?"
He smiled, but it was the kind of smile that made men tremble.