Ethan barely slept that night, his mind racing with every possible way to bring Eric down without getting himself—or anyone else—hurt. He couldn’t keep running, and he couldn’t live under Eric’s constant threats. If he wanted a future, he had to take control of the present.At dawn, he stood outside Martha’s house, staring at the dusty horizon. The settlement was quiet, the calm before the inevitable storm. He felt Martha’s presence before she spoke.“You’ve got that look in your eyes,” she said softly.Ethan didn’t turn. “What look?”“The one people get before they do something dangerous.”Ethan sighed, his shoulders tense. “I don’t have a choice, Martha. If I don’t stop him, he’ll never let me go.”Martha walked up beside him, her voice heavy with concern. “You can’t beat Eric at his own game, Ethan. He’s got too many people in his pocket.”Ethan finally turned to her, determination burning in his eyes. “Then I’ll change the game.”Martha studied him for a moment, then sighed, shaki

Ethan’s eyes followed the shadowy figure as it slipped beyond the settlement’s fence, disappearing into the thick underbrush beyond. His pulse quickened. It could’ve been anyone, but deep down, he knew Eric wasn’t done with him. He turned back toward Martha’s house, his mind racing with possibilities. Had Eric found new allies? Was he planning his revenge? The thought made Ethan’s jaw tighten. He had come too far to let Eric drag him back down.Martha was waiting for him on the porch, her expression knowing. “You saw something, didn’t you?”Ethan nodded, sitting down beside her, his hands clenched into fists. “Someone’s watching me.”Martha exhaled slowly, her gaze fixed on the dark horizon. “Eric’s got a long reach, Ethan. He might be out of sight, but he’s never really gone.”Ethan rubbed his temples, the weight of her words settling over him like a heavy cloak. “I need to be ready.”Martha nodded. “You’re smart, kid. But don’t let anger cloud your judgment. He’s counting on you ma

The rain tapped gently against the window, a soft, rhythmic lullaby blending with the low hum of the city outside. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation, an electric pulse that matched the erratic beat of their hearts. Ethan stood in the center of the room, his eyes locked onto hers, every breath he took shallow and filled with desire. The shadows danced around them, flickering candles casting a warm, seductive glow over their skin. His gaze traveled over her, lingering on every curve, every line, every inch of bare skin exposed. She stepped closer, her bare feet whispering against the wooden floor, each step a silent declaration of want. Her eyes were dark, smoldering, filled with a hunger that matched his own. Ethan’s chest rose and fell with each ragged breath, his muscles tense, coiled like a predator about to pounce. With deliberate slowness, she reached out, fingertips grazing his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling the rapid thud of his heartbeat beneath

Chapter Twenty-ThreeA New BeginningEthan stood outside the workshop, watching the dust settle from Eric’s retreating vehicles. His chest heaved with relief, but his mind was already racing ahead. He knew this victory was temporary. Eric would regroup, and next time, he’d come back with something worse.Jake stepped up beside him, still clutching a metal pipe. “Think he’s gone for good?”Ethan shook his head. “No. He’s just licking his wounds. He’ll be back.”Gus, who had been watching from the shadows, grunted. “Then we need to make sure next time, he doesn’t get the chance to walk away.”Martha approached, her expression wary but proud. “You handled that well, Ethan. But this can’t be how you live—always waiting for the next fight.”Ethan exhaled slowly. “I know. That’s why I need to make this place strong. Strong enough to stand on its own.”Jake smirked, nudging him. “You got a plan for that too, boss?”Ethan’s eyes darkened with determination. “Yeah. I do.”---The next morning,

The classroom echoed with laughter, the cruel, mocking kind that made the walls seem to close in around Ethan. His clothes were dirty and torn from the shove he’d just received, his knees scraped raw against the hard tile floor. A group of boys stood over him, sneering down, their faces twisted with malice.“Look at you,” one of them sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “The poor little charity case. Do you even have a decent pair of shoes, or are those borrowed too?”The others laughed, the sound echoing in Ethan’s ears like nails on a chalkboard. He clenched his fists, refusing to meet their eyes. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing the anger—and shame—burning inside him.One of them, a taller boy named Lucas, leaned down, grabbing the front of Ethan’s shirt. “You think you belong here? Huh? With people like us? You’re a joke, Knights. A nobody.”Ethan gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening as he tried to stay silent. But the sting of the words cut deeper than any p