By street gangs. By corrupt enforcers.
By people who thought they had power.
But this was different.
This was Cain.
And Cain? He didn’t play games.
John released Aria, but his mind was already miles ahead.
If she had found him, that meant others weren’t far behind.
"What does Cain know?" John asked, voice low.
Aria dusted off her jacket, smirking. "Enough to be interested. Not enough to act. Yet."
John exhaled slowly. That was a problem.
Cain was patient. Too patient.
If he hadn’t moved yet, that meant he was waiting for something.
John’s instincts told him—he wouldn’t have to wait long.
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Eli shifted behind John, watching the exchange warily.
"Who is she?" Eli finally asked.
John didn’t answer. Not yet.
Aria smiled. "I like the kid. Smart enough to ask the right questions."
John wasn’t in the mood for games.
"We’re leaving," he said.
Aria’s smirk faded slightly.
"That’s cute," she murmured. "But you don’t have anywhere to go."
John’s jaw tightened. "I’ll figure it out."
Aria sighed, tilting her head.
"Cain’s people are already searching the lower districts," she said. "They won’t find you yet. But they will."
John didn’t react.
Aria stepped closer.
"And when they do?" she murmured. "They won’t be asking questions. They’ll be putting bullets in your head."
Eli tensed.
John’s mind was already working through the next steps.
He had two choices:
- Keep running. (Delay the inevitable.)
- Move first. (Take control before Cain did.)
The answer was obvious.
John exhaled.
Then, finally, he looked at Aria.
"You have a plan," he said.
It wasn’t a question.
Aria smirked. "I always do."
John hated relying on others.
But right now?
He needed information.
And Aria was offering it.
"Talk," John said.
Aria leaned against the alley wall, satisfied.
"Cain’s not making his move yet," she said. "Because he’s waiting for confirmation."
John narrowed his eyes. "Confirmation of what?"
Aria’s smirk widened.
"That you’re not just lucky," she said. "That you’ve changed."
John’s pulse slowed.
So that was it.
Cain wasn’t acting because he was still watching.
Still testing.
Still waiting for John to make a move that would prove he was more than human.
John exhaled.
"Then let’s not keep him waiting," he muttered.
Aria’s eyes gleamed.
"Now you’re speaking my language."