The city after midnight was a different world.
Traffic had thinned, lights dimmed, and the powerful moved quietly in the shadows.
Inside the Hale estate garage, a sleek black car idled softly.
Alexander stood beside it, fastening the cuff of his dark coat. His expression was calm, but the calm of a man who had already made a decision.
Behind him, Elena appeared at the garage entrance.
"I knew you wouldn't leave without me noticing," she said quietly.
Alexander turned.
"You should be upstairs."
Elena crossed her arms. "And pretend I can sleep while you go start a war?"
Alexander walked closer to her.
"This isn't your fight."
Elena lifted her chin slightly. "It became my fight the moment Marcus started watching me."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally Alexander sighed quietly.
"I'm not going to him alone," he said. "Security will be with me."
"That doesn't make it better," Elena replied.
Alexander stepped closer, placing both hands gently on her shoulders.
"Listen to me."
His voice softened slightly.
"You and the baby are the only things that matter right now."
Elena looked into his eyes.
"And if something happens to you?"
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
Then he said quietly, "It won't."
Elena knew that tone.
The one he used when his mind was already locked on a plan.
"You already know where Marcus is," she said.
Alexander nodded once.
"Daniel Vance told me enough."
Elena frowned. "You trust him?"
"No," Alexander said simply. "But I trust that Marcus is arrogant."
"And arrogant men don't hide."
Just then, a second car pulled into the garage.
Two men stepped out.
Alexander's private security team.
"Everything's ready, sir," one of them said.
Alexander nodded.
Elena's chest tightened.
"So that's it?"
Alexander reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his phone.
He typed something quickly before placing it back inside.
"What was that?" Elena asked.
"A message," Alexander replied.
"To who?"
Alexander gave a faint smile.
"To Marcus."
Elena blinked in surprise.
"What did it say?"
Alexander opened the car door.
Then he looked at her one last time.
"I'm coming."
A moment later, the cars rolled out of the garage and disappeared into the quiet streets.
Elena stood there long after the sound of the engines faded.
Her heart was heavy with unease.
Marcus Vance was dangerous.
But tonight, she wasn't sure who she feared more.
The man who had threatened her family—
Or the man who was now hunting him.
Across the city, in a luxury penthouse overlooking the river, Marcus Vance sat comfortably on a leather sofa.
A glass of whiskey rested in his hand.
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
One message.
Unknown number.
Marcus opened it casually.
I'm coming.
For a moment, he stared at the words.
Then he laughed.
"A little late for threats, Alexander."
He set the glass down and stood.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city glittered.
Marcus walked toward the window, completely relaxed.
But behind him—
The elevator doors of the building quietly opened.
And Alexander Hale stepped out into the hallway.