Burn Loot

Chapter 10

Dino led Elena through a maze of dimly lit backstreets, his movements swift and sure. He had spent years navigating the city’s underbelly, and now, that knowledge was keeping them alive. The night air was thick with tension, every sound amplified as if the city itself was holding its breath.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached a rundown garage on the outskirts of town. The metal shutters were rusted, the paint peeling from years of neglect. To anyone else, it looked abandoned—but for Dino, it was a safehouse he had set up months ago, anticipating a day like this.

Once inside, Elena collapsed onto an old, threadbare couch. Her body trembled, her breaths shallow. Dino knelt in front of her, scanning her face.

“Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, but tears burned her eyes. “He almost caught me.”

Dino exhaled slowly, his hands clenching into fists. The thought of Alejandro touching her, caging her like a possession, made his blood boil.

“He won’t get another chance,” he promised, his voice edged with steel.

But deep down, he knew better. Alejandro was relentless. He wouldn’t stop until he had Elena back—or until Dino was dead.

Alejandro’s Revenge

Across the city, at his penthouse, Alejandro paced like a caged predator. The floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the storm brewing inside him. Elena had embarrassed him, humiliated him. Worse—she had run to Dino.

Unacceptable.

He turned to the men assembled in his living room, his dark eyes narrowing.

“Find out where Dino is hiding her. I want her back by morning.”

One of his men hesitated. “Sir, Dino is… dangerous.”

Alejandro’s gaze turned ice-cold. Dangerous? Dino was nothing but a stray mutt pretending to be a wolf.

“I don’t care how dangerous he is,” Alejandro growled. “He’s in my way. And when I find him, I’ll put him down.”

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. After two rings, a gruff voice answered.

“I need a favor,” Alejandro said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Dino needs a lesson in losing.”

There was silence on the other end, then a low chuckle.

“I’ll handle it.”

Alejandro hung up, satisfaction curling through him. Dino thought he could protect Elena? He had no idea what was coming.

A Sense of Unease

Back at the safehouse, Dino stood near the window, his eyes scanning the empty streets. Something felt off. Too quiet. Too still.

Elena sat up, rubbing her arms. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” he murmured, though his instincts screamed otherwise.

He checked his gun, ensuring it was loaded. Years in security had taught him one thing—when the streets go quiet, danger isn’t far behind.

A flicker of movement near the alley caught his attention. A car, slowing as it passed. Not stopping. Not yet.

Then—a sound.

A subtle click.

Dino barely had time to react.

Tires screeched outside. A black van skidded to a halt, its side door sliding open. Men in masks jumped out, guns raised.

“Elena, down!” Dino barked, yanking her off the couch and shoving her behind an overturned workbench.

The front door exploded inward.

Gunfire erupted.

Fight for Survival

Dino rolled to the side, drawing his weapon. He fired two shots, dropping the first man before he cleared the threshold. The second rushed in, squeezing off rounds.

Bullets ripped through the garage, shattering glass and splintering wood.

Elena covered her head, fear paralyzing her—but then she saw one of the men breaking off, circling around toward the back.

No.

She wouldn’t be a helpless pawn anymore.

Her eyes darted to a rusted wrench on the floor. Heart pounding, she seized it and crept along the shadows.

Meanwhile, Dino ducked behind a support beam as another gunman stormed in. He feinted left, then lunged right, grabbing the attacker’s wrist and twisting. A gun clattered to the floor.

Dino didn’t hesitate—he drove his knee into the man’s ribs, then sent him crashing into a stack of metal shelves.

But there were too many.

Another burst of gunfire forced him back. He was running out of space, running out of time.

A hand suddenly grabbed Elena from behind.

She gasped, twisting wildly, but the masked man yanked her hard against him.

“Dino!” she screamed.

Dino’s head snapped toward her.

And then

The attacker yanked off his mask.

Capello.

Elena’s father.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Dad?”

Capello’s expression was unreadable, his grip firm. “We don’t have time for questions. Come with me. Now.”

Elena was frozen. Confused.

Dino took a step forward, gun raised. “Let her go.”

Capello’s gaze flickered to Dino. “I’m not your enemy.”

Dino didn’t lower his weapon. “Then what the hell is this?”

Before Capello could answer, more gunmen swarmed in.

“Damn it,” he cursed. “We have to move.”

Then, without warning, Capello shoved Elena toward Dino.

“Protect her,” he ordered.

Before either of them could react, Capello turned and opened fire on Alejandro’s men.

Dino didn’t have time to process what was happening. He grabbed Elena’s hand and pulled her toward the back exit.

Behind them, Capello’s gun roared.

A cry of pain echoed.

Elena looked back just in time to see her father take a bullet to the chest.

“No!” she screamed, trying to run to him, but Dino held her back.

“We can’t—”

Gunfire exploded again. The garage was seconds from being overrun.

Capello staggered but didn’t fall. He turned, blood trickling from his lips.

“Elena, go!” He shouted.

Dino dragged her through the back door, sprinting into the night.

As they ran, Elena’s mind spun.

Her father had saved them. But why?

And more importantly… whose side was he really