The warehouse near the Thames stood in complete darkness.
A cold wind moved across the empty docks.
Ved stopped the car a little distance away.
"No lights," he said quietly.
Kashvi checked the gun hidden inside her jacket.
"Of course not."
Both stepped out.
The place felt abandoned.
Too silent.
Ved looked around carefully.
"Feels like a trap."
Kashvi replied calmly, "Everything in our life is a trap."
They walked toward the warehouse door.
It creaked slightly as Ved pushed it open.
Inside—
Dim yellow lights flickered.
Old containers were stacked everywhere.
Footsteps echoed in the huge empty space.
Kashvi's instincts immediately sharpened.
"Someone's here."
Ved nodded.
"I know."
Suddenly—
A slow clap echoed through the warehouse.
Both of them turned.
A man stepped out from the shadows.
Tall.
Calm.
Smiling like he had been expecting them.
"Finally," he said.
Ved's jaw tightened.
"You've been busy."
The man chuckled.
"I had to be. You two are difficult to kill."
Kashvi raised her gun slightly.
"Talk fast."
The man didn't look scared at all.
Instead he glanced between them.
"Five years," he said.
"And you two still managed to find each other again."
Ved stepped forward.
"You sent the shooter."
"Yes."
"You followed Kriday."
The man smiled again.
"That child is… interesting."
Kashvi's finger tightened on the trigger.
"Say one more word about my son and I shoot."
The man raised his hands casually.
"Relax."
Then his expression slowly turned darker.
"You should actually thank me."
Ved frowned.
"For what?"
The man's eyes gleamed.
"For showing you the truth."
Silence filled the warehouse.
Then he said the words slowly—
"Ved… did you ever wonder why the bullet that night didn't kill you?"
Ved's eyes narrowed.
Kashvi looked confused.
The man continued smiling.
"Because someone didn't want you dead."
Ved turned slightly toward Kashvi.
She didn't move.
The man laughed softly.
"Oh yes… the queen never really sacrifices the king."
Kashvi's voice turned ice cold.
"You're playing a dangerous game."
"Not anymore," the man replied calmly.
Then suddenly—
Multiple red laser dots appeared on Ved and Kashvi.
Snipers.
From the upper floor.
Ved immediately understood.
"It was always a trap."
The man smiled wider.
"Of course."
Kashvi slowly looked around.
Surrounded.
No escape.
Then the man said quietly—
"And tonight… the game finally ends."
But Ved suddenly smiled.
A slow.
Dangerous smile.
Kashvi noticed it.
"What did you do?" she whispered.
Ved's eyes stayed on the man.
"Checkmate," he said calmly.
And outside the warehouse—
Police sirens suddenly exploded through the night. 🚨