Lucas lowered his weapon, tossing it aside, and clenched his fists. The men on both sides watched, waiting to see which leader would fall. Hector snarled, circling. “You’ve got guts, Lucas. But guts won’t save you.” Lucas smirked faintly, rolling his shoulders. “Let’s see if you can back up all that talk.” Hector lunged first, swinging his blade in a wide arc. Lucas dodged easily, but instead of countering with his full strength, he let Hector graze his arm. The cut was shallow, but blood trickled down. Lucas gritted his teeth, pretending to struggle. Daniel gasped from behind the crates. “Lucas! You’re hurt!” Lucas shot him a quick glance. “Stay down, Daniel. This is between me and him.” Hector pressed forward, striking again and again, his muscles straining, sweat dripping down his face. He fought with everything he had, desperate to prove himself. Lucas blocked each blow, sometimes letting Hector’s punches land lightly on his ribs or shoulder, making it look like

Lucas woke up the next morning, the sunlight streaming faintly through the curtains. He freshened up quickly, washing away the blood and dust from the night before, then dressed and headed downstairs. He expected to find Daniel resting, but instead he saw him hunched over his computer system, the screen glowing brightly. Daniel’s eyes were fixed on the monitor, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. Lucas frowned, confused. “Daniel… don’t tell me you stayed up all night?” Daniel turned his head slightly, pointing at the simple clothes he was wearing a fresh shirt and trousers. “No, I woke up early this morning. I’m fine.” Lucas raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. He shrugged, his tone softer. “Alright. Come down for breakfast, then. You need to eat.” Daniel shook his head, his gaze still locked on the screen. “I’ll join you later. I’m waiting for something important. You go ahead.” Lucas sighed, knowing Daniel’s stubbornness too well. He turned to leave wh

Hector had been transferred there after his arrest, cuffed and disgraced, his once-proud face swollen from the beating he had endured. To the world outside, he was a fallen businessman awaiting trial. He had tried contacting the president but got no response, and he immediately knew what this meant because done the dirty work for the president. But somehow he wondered if the president would show him mercy considering their relationship, but him thinking about that was laughable.“There was no mercy.” He thought.He was now a liability meant to be erased and ever since he’s been on edge, wondering when they’d come for him because he wouldn’t go down without a fight, and all his attempts to get a lawyer was fruitless, and his court hearing was still far. He knew the president’s reach extended even here. Every sound made him flinch, the rattle of keys, the slam of doors. He was a wounded dog in a cage, waiting for the hunters to strike. Then it began with silence. The usual chatter of

The president’s house was surrounded. Reporters filled the gates, their cameras flashing around. Journalists shouted asking questions, citizens rallied outside, chanting his name, demanding he speak about Hector’s suicide. Hector had been close to him, and now silence was making the people suspicious. Inside, the president paced the floor, his face pale, and his hands shaking. He couldn’t leave the house. Every shout from outside pierced his ears. He held his head tightly, trying to hold himself from going insane.“Sir,” said his bodyguard, standing by the door, “they won’t go away. Reporters, citizens, everyone is waiting for you.” The president slammed his fist on the desk.”Then chase them out!”“Sir we can’t, it’s the…”“Then shoot them if you must!” The president yelled and the bodyguard froze, unsure how to respond. “But sir…”“Leave, don’t do any of the things he says for now.” Dianne interrupted as she walked in.“No. If you hurt any of them, your name will be ruined f

Daniel was driving, while Lucas sat in the back seat, his arms wrapped tightly around Freya. She rested her head against his chest, her breathing uneven, her tears still fresh from the ordeal. He held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair, whispering soft words meant to calm her. “You’re safe now,” Lucas murmured. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” Freya clung to him, her fingers gripping his shirt as if afraid he might slip away. “Lucas…I thought I’d never see you again.” Lucas kissed the top of her head. “It’s over. You’re with me now. That’s all that matters.” Daniel glanced at them through the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with concern. “We’ll be at the safe house soon. Just hold on.” The car hummed steadily along the road. For a brief moment, it felt like peace was returning. But then Lucas’s phone buzzed in his pocket. The vibration was sharp, urgent. He pulled it out, his eyes narrowing as he read the message. It was from one of his informants inside th