𝙱𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝙸𝚗 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚜

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟼: 𝙰𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚑

---

The night air was crisp as Darius and Elara emerged

from the warehouse, their breaths coming in ragged

gasps. The adrenaline that had fueled them through the

fight was beginning to wear off, leaving behind

exhaustion and the heavy weight of what they had just

endured. The sounds of the battle faded behind them as

Darius's team cleaned up the remnants of Vincent's men.

Elara's legs felt weak, and she stumbled slightly as they

made their way toward the car. Darius's arm quickly

wrapped around her waist, steadying her. His touch was

firm but gentle, a reminder that, for now, they were

safe.

"You're okay," he murmured, his voice rough from the

fight.

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I didn't

think we'd make it out of there," she admitted, her voice

shaky. "Vincent... he was going to kill you."

Darius's jaw clenched, his eyes dark with the weight of

everything they had been through. "He tried," he said

grimly, his gaze scanning the dark streets, ever vigilant.

"But it's over-for now."

They reached the car, and Darius opened the passenger

door for her, guiding her inside. He lingered for a

moment, his hand resting on the doorframe as if he were

making sure she was truly there, truly safe. The

warehouse behind them still stood as a dark reminder of

what they had just faced, but it was in the past now.

As Darius slid into the driver's seat, Elara turned to him,

her voice barely above a whisper. "What happens next?"

Darius started the car, the engine humming softly in the

night. He stared ahead, his hands gripping the steering

wheel, as if the question carried the weight of the future

on his shoulders.

"We regroup," he said quietly, his tone measured.

"Vincent's men are scattered for now, but there's still a

lot we don't know. His reach could extend farther than

we think. But..." He glanced at her, his eyes softening.

"We'll figure it out together."

Elara's chest tightened at his words. Together. After

everything that had happened, the danger, the fear, the

uncertainty, they were still here. She reached out, her

fingers brushing against his on the steering wheel, and

for the first time that night, she allowed herself to feel