Flames. Smoke. Debris.
The explosion had torn through the warehouse, sending shockwaves of destruction in every direction. The air was thick with the scent of burning metal and blood.
Liana's ears rang as she struggled to open her eyes. Her body ached, the force of the blast having thrown her across the room. Dust clung to her skin, and somewhere in the distance, muffled voices called out.
A hand gripped her wrist—firm, desperate.
"Liana."
She gasped as Adrian's face came into focus. His usual cold demeanor was laced with urgency, his blue eyes scanning her for injuries.
"You're hurt." His voice was rough, strained.
"I'm fine," she managed, though every breath burned. "You?"
Adrian exhaled, his jaw tightening. "I've had worse."
Liana tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her ribs. Adrian's grip on her tightened. "Don't move too fast."
The sound of gunfire cut through the smoke-filled air.
Liana's pulse spiked. "Scarlet—"
"She's gone."
Nathaniel's voice.
Adrian's gaze snapped up, ice replacing the brief flicker of concern he had shown.
Nathaniel stood a few feet away, a cut on his forehead bleeding down his temple. His gun was still in his hand, his expression unreadable.
"She triggered the explosion and disappeared," Nathaniel continued. "She won't be far, but we don't have time to chase her. We need to get out of here before reinforcements arrive."
Adrian helped Liana to her feet, his eyes never leaving Nathaniel.
"Convenient timing," Adrian remarked, his tone dripping with suspicion.
Nathaniel smirked, but there was no humor in it. "You're welcome."
Liana exhaled sharply. "Not now. We need to move."
Nathaniel took a step forward, but Adrian blocked his path, his shoulders tensing.
"Not so fast." Adrian's voice was quiet, lethal. "Who the hell are you?"
Nathaniel held his gaze, something unspoken passing between them.
Liana swallowed hard.
She knew the answer.
But she wasn't ready to say it.
Not yet.
Nathaniel smirked. "Let's just say… I have unfinished business with Scarlet."
Adrian's jaw clenched. He didn't trust him. Not even for a second.
But right now, they had a bigger problem.
The sound of sirens echoed in the distance.
Time was up.
"We need to go," Liana said again, urgency in her tone.
Adrian hesitated for a fraction of a second before releasing a low curse. "Fine."
Nathaniel's smirk widened slightly, but he said nothing as they moved toward the exit.
As they slipped into the shadows, one thought plagued Liana's mind—
Scarlet wasn't dead.
And neither was the war she had started.
---
The car sped through the darkened streets, weaving effortlessly through the empty roads. The city lights blurred past, but inside the vehicle, tension crackled like an exposed wire.
Liana sat in the back seat, pressing a cloth against the cut on her arm. Adrian was behind the wheel, his grip on it tight, his jaw set in a hard line.
And then there was Nathaniel.
Silent. Watching.
Adrian didn't trust him.
Not one damn bit.
"Where are we going?" Liana finally asked, breaking the suffocating silence.
Adrian didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the road. When he finally spoke, his voice was clipped. "Somewhere safe."
Nathaniel chuckled from the passenger seat. "Funny. That's exactly what I was about to say."
Adrian's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "And yet, I don't remember asking for your help."
Nathaniel smirked. "No, but you needed it."
Liana exhaled sharply. "Enough." She turned to Nathaniel. "Why did you shoot Lucas?"
Nathaniel's smirk faded slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. "Because he was going to kill you."
Adrian scoffed. "And we're just supposed to believe you did it out of the goodness of your heart?"
Nathaniel leaned back against the seat, his expression unreadable. "Believe what you want. But Lucas isn't the only threat."
Liana stiffened. "Scarlet."
Nathaniel nodded. "She won't stop until she gets what she wants."
Adrian's voice was steel. "She won't live long enough to try."
The promise in his tone sent a shiver down Liana's spine.
Nathaniel sighed. "Adrian, listen to me—"
Adrian's grip on the wheel was like iron. "We're not on a first-name basis."
Nathaniel rolled his eyes. "Fine. Knight." He turned slightly, his expression darkening. "You have no idea what Scarlet is capable of. This isn't just about revenge. It's bigger than that."
Liana felt a sinking feeling in her chest. "What do you mean?"
Nathaniel hesitated. Just for a moment.
And that's when Adrian slammed the brakes.
The tires screeched against the asphalt as the car came to an abrupt stop in an abandoned parking lot.
Adrian turned in his seat, his icy gaze locking onto Nathaniel with lethal precision.
"You know something," he said, voice dangerously quiet. "Spit it out."
Nathaniel met his glare, unfazed. "I know more than you think. About Scarlet. About Lucas. About all of it."
Adrian's patience snapped. He grabbed Nathaniel by the collar, yanking him forward.
"You have five seconds."
Liana's pulse spiked. "Adrian—"
Nathaniel's smirk returned, but this time, there was something almost cruel about it.
"You want the truth?" he murmured. "Fine. But you might not like it."
The air grew thick with something unspoken.
Secrets. Lies. Betrayal.
And then—
Nathaniel leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Scarlet isn't working alone."
---
See you in next chapter.....