I felt like I was trapped in a never-ending nightmare. The world around me was spinning, and I couldn't grasp reality.
"You know I would risk anything when it comes to you," Slavvy whispered, his voice low and husky, breaking through the chaos in my mind.
I looked up at him — his eyes were blazing with concern, his face tight with something that looked too close to fear. The excitement that once lived in his expression was gone, replaced by something raw and protective.
"I know," I breathed, my throat dry. "But where is this coming from?"
Slavvy's jaw flexed, his eyes hardening. "We were never supposed to happen, Tess. You and me — we're forbidden. I tried to keep you out, but every time I do, it blows back in my face. I'm done losing people. I'm not letting you go this time."
His words made my chest tighten. Moments ago, we were laughing — now it felt like the whole world had tilted on its axis.
"Slavvy," I whispered, my voice trembling, "I'm not going anywhere, okay? I'm here with you."
Before I could blink, glass shattered. A bullet ripped through the car's side mirror. The world exploded into motion — gunfire, shouts, chaos.
"Down!" Slavvy barked, yanking me against him. We hit the ground behind the car as another round of bullets tore through the air.
My head throbbed. A wave of dizziness crashed over me — flashes of memory slicing through: men in suits, masks, blood, training drills. My stomach twisted. I've seen this before.
"Slavvy!!" I screamed, pushing him as a man raised a rifle behind him. The shot fired — grazing my arm instead of his chest.
He spun, fury erupting in his eyes, and fired back. Two men dropped instantly.
"Tess, are you hit?" he shouted, voice taut with fear.
"I'm fine," I lied, clutching my arm. My pulse thundered in my ears.
The gunfire paused — replaced by slow, deliberate footsteps crunching on gravel.
"Well, well, well," a familiar voice drawled. "Isn't this sweet? The star-crossed lovers, caught in the wrong war."
Slavvy froze. His expression went cold, lethal. "What do you want, Lucas?"
Lucas stepped into the light — sharp suit, smirk cutting like a blade. "You know what I want. You were one of us once, Slavvy. You don't get to walk away from the Doves and play the hero."
Slavvy's lip curled. "Stay away from her."
Lucas laughed softly. "Still pretending she's just some girl you found? She's your boss's daughter, Slavvy. A legacy. She belongs to this life."
I felt my blood run cold. "What are you talking about?"
Lucas ignored me, eyes gleaming. "Your mother hid you, Tess. But blood doesn't lie. You were born into the most dangerous family in this city. And it's time you came home."
I shook my head, disbelief burning my throat. "No… no, you're lying."
Slavvy moved in front of me, blocking Lucas's view. "You're not taking her."
A slow clap echoed from behind. Another voice — deeper, colder.
"I told you this would happen," the man said, stepping into view. My stomach dropped.
"Haze?" My voice cracked.
Haze's eyes met mine — once warm, now glacial. "You were just a pawn, Tess. And pawns get sacrificed."
"Don't you touch her!" Slavvy roared, charging him. The two collided in a blur — fists, elbows, blood.
The gunfire erupted again. Lucas's men swarmed, shouting orders. I ducked behind the car, trembling, heart slamming against my ribs.
"Slavvy!" I screamed as Haze slammed him into the hood. Slavvy countered, driving a knee into his gut, then spun and cracked him across the jaw.
The world blurred. My mind screamed move! and I did — grabbing a gun from the ground, firing wildly. A shot hit one of Lucas's men. He fell.
Adrenaline surged like liquid fire in my veins. My hands steadied. My aim was clean. Too clean.
"Tess!" Slavvy barked, spinning toward me — just as I took out another attacker.
I didn't think. I just acted.
When the last man fell, the world went quiet — except for the ragged sound of our breathing.
Haze stumbled to his feet, blood dripping from his lip. "You think you can protect her?" he snarled at Slavvy. "You can't protect anyone."
Slavvy didn't hesitate. His gun flashed once — the bullet grazing Haze's shoulder, sending him staggering back.
Lucas laughed, low and bitter. "You're in too deep now, Tess. You'll come running to us when you realize what you really are."
"Get out of here, Lucas," Slavvy growled, voice low and venomous.
Lucas smiled faintly. "We'll see you soon." He turned, vanishing into the dark with Haze limping behind him.
Silence fell. Smoke hung in the air.
I sank to the ground, trembling. "What just happened?" I whispered.
Slavvy crouched beside me, brushing a stray hair from my face. His eyes softened. "The truth came for you," he murmured. "And it's not done yet."
Tears burned my eyes. "Slavvy… who am I really?"
He looked away, jaw clenched. "You're not who they say you are, Tess. You're more dangerous than any of them realize. And now… everyone knows it."
He lifted me into his arms as sirens echoed in the distance. I buried my face against his chest, my body shaking.
"Don't worry," he whispered, voice raw. "I've got you. I'll never let you go."
And as the world around us burned, I knew everything I'd been running from was about to catch up to me.
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