The tension in the room was suffocating. Evelyn's heartbeat drummed in her ears as Ethan's words echoed.
Nathaniel Crane is coming for you.
She had never heard of him before, but the way Theo's entire body went rigid told her everything she needed to know.
Theo ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "Crane doesn't take contracts unless he's sure he can finish them."
Ethan nodded grimly. "And Moretti wouldn't have called him in unless he thought you were a real threat."
Evelyn clenched her fists. "Good. Then let's prove him right."
Ethan sighed. "Eve—"
"No." Her voice was firm, unwavering. "I've spent too long being afraid, letting the past haunt me. My father didn't die for nothing. I won't let Moretti win."
Theo watched her carefully. "You realize what this means?"
She met his gaze, determination burning in her eyes. "That we hit first."
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Now you're thinking like me."
---
A Dangerous Plan
Ethan paced the room. "We need leverage. If we go after Moretti blind, we're dead before we start."
Theo leaned against the table, deep in thought. "Crane is the immediate problem. If we neutralize him, Moretti loses his best weapon."
Evelyn frowned. "Neutralize?"
Theo met her eyes. "Take him out before he takes us out."
A shiver ran down her spine. "You're talking about killing him?"
Theo's expression was unreadable. "It's him or us."
Ethan crossed his arms. "There might be another way."
They both looked at him.
Ethan pulled out his phone, flipping through files. "Crane is a ghost—no records, no known location. But I have a lead. A woman named Celeste. She's the only person who's ever worked with him and lived."
Theo's eyes darkened. "And you think she'll talk?"
Ethan smirked. "For the right price."
Evelyn straightened. "Where is she?"
Ethan glanced at his watch. "A club downtown. Mirage."
Theo grabbed his jacket. "Then let's go."
---
The Club – Mirage
The club was alive with music and flashing lights, but none of it mattered. Evelyn's pulse thrummed with anticipation as she and Theo pushed through the crowd, Ethan leading the way.
At the VIP section, a stunning woman with dark curls and a sharp gaze sat with a glass of whiskey.
Celeste.
She looked up as they approached, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Well, well. I was wondering when you'd come knocking."
Ethan slid into the seat across from her. "We need information."
She chuckled, swirling her drink. "And what makes you think I'd help you?"
Theo leaned in, his voice cold. "Because if you don't, Crane finds you next."
Something flickered in her expression—fear. Just for a second.
Evelyn caught it.
Celeste sighed. "Crane doesn't just kill. He dismantles you piece by piece. If Moretti sent him after you, you're already dead."
Evelyn's stomach twisted. "Unless we stop him first."
Celeste smirked. "Bold. But Crane isn't just a hitman. He's a strategist. He'll anticipate your every move."
Theo's jaw clenched. "Then we need to be unpredictable."
Celeste studied them for a moment, then leaned forward. "Fine. I'll give you one chance. He has a safe house on the east side. If you want to stand a chance, you need to hit him before he hits you."
Ethan nodded. "That's all we needed to know."
Celeste sighed. "You didn't get this from me."
Theo stood. "We were never here."
---
Back at the safe house, the weight of what was coming settled in.
Evelyn sat by the window, staring out at the city lights. Theo walked over, hands in his pockets. "You should rest."
She glanced at him. "So should you."
He huffed a small laugh. "I don't sleep much."
She turned back to the window. "Neither do I."
Silence stretched between them, comfortable yet charged.
Theo exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "You don't have to do this, Evelyn."
She looked at him. "Yes, I do."
His jaw tightened. "It's dangerous."
"So is running."
He stared at her for a moment before shaking his head with a small smirk. "You really are stubborn."
She smiled, just a little. "Took you this long to figure that out?"
He chuckled. "No. I think I've always known."
A pause. Then—
He reached out, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her cheek, just for a second.
Evelyn's breath caught.
They were too close again.
She swallowed hard. "Theo…"
His voice was barely above a whisper. "Yeah?"
She hesitated. "Nothing."
He searched her eyes but didn't push. Instead, he let his hand fall away.
A choice unspoken. A line uncrossed.
For now.
---
The First Move
Ethan walked in, breaking the moment. "We're set. We hit Crane's safe house at dawn."
Theo nodded, his expression hardening. "Then let's end this."
Evelyn clenched her fists. No more running. No more fear.
The war had begun.
End of Chapter 26