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135

2025-03-30 20:26:21

135: The Hunter’s Return

Dylan didn’t make his move right away. He was patient. Watching. Waiting.

Victor Castellano sat in the center of his entourage, laughing as if he owned the world. He swirled whiskey in his glass, his rings glinting under the dim casino lights. Every so often, he shot a smug glance across the room, completely unaware that someone was hunting him.

Dylan knew better.

For nearly an hour, he tracked Victor’s movements. Every sip of whiskey. Every nod to his men. Every flicker of arrogance in his expression.

A waiter approached Victor’s table with a fresh bottle, and Victor clinked his glass against the rim before pouring himself another drink. His right-hand man, a burly guy with a scar across his cheek, leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Victor listened, then chuckled, knocking back his drink in one smooth motion.

Dylan’s fingers curled into fists. It was time.

Victor stretched, cracked his neck, and murmured something to his men before sauntering toward t

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Dylan’s brow furrowed. “Tomorrow night? That’s… fast.”Marcus shrugged. “You want time or you want results? The Syndicate won’t sit around waiting for you to make a plan.”Eli crossed his arms. “Fast means sloppy.”Marcus’s smirk didn’t waver. “Fast means they won’t see it coming.”Vivian glanced at Eli. “He has a point.”Eli shot her a look. “You just like rushing into things.”“And you,” she said, “like overthinking until we’re all dead.”Dylan stepped between them. “Enough. We don’t have to like the plan, but we can’t waste time arguing.”Marcus leaned back against the crate, watching them. “You’re already falling apart. I hope you’re better under pressure.”Dylan’s jaw tightened. “We’ll manage.”Marcus pushed off the crate and started walking toward the pier. “Follow me.”Vivian raised an eyebrow. “Where?”“To get you ready,” Marcus said without looking back. “You can’t walk into Syndicate territory with whatever rusty toys you’ve been carrying around.”Eli’s voice was dry. “And y
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⸻ They ended up in a run-down apartment above a closed shop. Dylan locked the door behind them. Vivian sank onto the couch. “So what now?” “Now,” Dylan said, “we figure out who those people are and why they want Eli.” Eli crossed his arms. “And then?” “Then,” Dylan said, “we end it.” Vivian looked between them. “You really think we can take them down?” Dylan met her eyes. “We have to.” Eli leaned back against the wall. “You’re dragging yourself into something you don’t understand.” “Then explain it,” Dylan said. Eli hesitated. “They’re not just some gang. They’ve got reach. Money. Power.” “Names,” Dylan said. Eli’s eyes darkened. “The Syndicate.” Vivian frowned. “Never heard of them.” “You’re lucky,” Eli said. “But now they’ve seen your faces. You won’t stay lucky for long.” Dylan’s voice was steady. “Then we hit first.” Eli gave a bitter smile. “You’ve changed.” Dylan shook his head. “I’ve just remembered what matters.” Eli studied him for a moment, then nodded slow
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Dylan’s words hung in the air. Eli didn’t look away. His grip on the detonator was loose now, but he still held it.“Go,” Eli said, his voice flat. “Before I change my mind.”Dylan took a step toward him. “Come with us.”Eli’s jaw tightened. “Not yet.”Vivian shook her head. “Eli, staying here—”“I said not yet!” His voice cracked like a whip. Vivian froze.Dylan clenched his fists but didn’t push. “Then I’ll come back.”Eli gave a dry laugh. “You think I’ll wait for you?”“You’ve been waiting this long,” Dylan said. “What’s a little longer?”The scarred man moved closer to Eli. “We’re done here.” His voice was low, dangerous.Dylan stepped in front of Vivian as if to shield her. “Stay out of this.”The scarred man smirked. “Not my call. Orders are orders.”Vivian’s heart thumped hard. “Whose orders?”“Doesn’t matter,” the scarred man said. “Run along before you find out.”Eli’s gaze shifted between them. His breathing was uneven. “Go.”Dylan didn’t want to, but he knew pushing now co
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Dylan’s eyes remained fixed on Eli’s face, tracing every line, every shadow. His gaze was heavy with pain, a raw ache that seemed to reach deep into his soul. But beneath that pain was something more fragile, almost fragile enough to shatter with the slightest pressure: a flicker of hope. It was the hope that somewhere inside Eli, beneath all the anger and bitterness, there was still a part of him that wanted to be saved.He took a slow, deliberate step forward, each movement measured as if he was trying not to startle a wild animal. His voice broke the heavy silence, low but clear, trembling just enough to betray the storm of emotion roiling inside him.“Eli,” he said softly, voice barely above a whisper yet carrying through the thick, tense air. “Please… this isn’t who you are. We don’t have to end it like this. We can fix it — together. You’re not alone. Not anymore.”Eli’s hand tightened on the detonator in a grip that made his knuckles go white, the thumb hovering dangerously ove
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Vivian’s fingers tightened around Dylan’s hand until her knuckles ached. She could feel the tremor in his grip—weak, unsteady, and warm in a way that scared her. His weight leaned into her side, each step they’d taken up until now heavy and uncertain.The masked man didn’t move. He just tilted his head, slow and deliberate, like he was studying her the way a hawk studies a rabbit. His presence filled the narrow stairwell, making the air thick and stifling.Then—he stepped aside.Vivian blinked, unsure if her eyes had betrayed her. “Wait… what?”“Go,” he said simply. His voice was deep but flat, like the word cost him nothing. “Take him.”She stared at him, disbelief gnawing at her. “Why? Why would you just… let us go?”The man didn’t answer immediately. He looked down at Dylan, his eyes unreadable beneath the shadow of his mask. Then he looked back at her. “Do you really want to stand here and find out?”Her heartbeat thudded against her ribs. The sunlight from above poured down in th
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Vivian carefully helped Dylan stand up. His legs felt like they were made of paper, shaking and weak. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to steady him. His breaths came out rough and uneven, like he was trying to catch every bit of air he could.“Okay,” Vivian whispered, her voice soft but firm. “We need to get out of here. We have to move, right now.”Dylan blinked slowly, trying to focus on her face. His eyes looked tired, heavy with pain, but there was still a little spark inside them. He gave a weak nod, trying to be strong for her.“I’m right here,” she said, squeezing him gently. “I’m not leaving you. Not now. Not ever.”The man’s voice echoed down from above, louder this time. “You have ten seconds. Move, or we come down and take you.”Vivian’s heart hammered so hard in her chest she thought it might burst. She looked up at the dark shadow blocking the stairs, then back at Dylan. He gave her a small, tired smile that somehow made her feel like she wasn’t alone.

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