John didn’t sleep that night.

  Not because he was afraid.

  Because he was waiting.

  He knew how this worked.

  He had sent a message.

  And Cain? Cain always answered.

  John sat on the edge of a rooftop, watching the city below.

  Aria was somewhere nearby, but she wasn’t saying much.

  She didn’t have to.

  She knew exactly what was coming.

  "You think he’ll send Sable?" Aria finally asked.

  John exhaled. "If he does, it means he still wants to talk."

  Aria smirked. "And if he doesn’t?"

  John’s fingers curled into fists.

  "Then we’re past talking."

  Cain never did anything without a reason.

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  That meant John wasn’t going to be ambushed.

  Not right away.

  Cain’s first move would be a test.

  And as if on cue—

  John’s earpiece buzzed.

  He frowned. Only one person had access to this frequency.

  He tapped it.

  "Vance," John said.

  A pause.

  Then—"John, listen to me. You need to run."

  John’s blood ran cold.

  Vance had never told John to run.

  Not once.

  "Cain’s coming for me?" John asked.

  Vance’s voice was tight. Urgent.

  "He’s not just coming. He’s bringing everyone."

  John stood slowly.

  His heartbeat stayed steady.

  "How long do I have?"

  Vance exhaled sharply. "You don’t get it. It’s not just you."

  John stilled.

  Then—his stomach dropped.

  Because he already knew what Vance was about to say.

  "They’re going after the kid, too."

  John moved.

  Fast. Faster than before.

  The moment Vance’s words left the earpiece, John was already running.

  Eli was still in the safehouse.

  He had left him there because it was supposed to be secure. Hidden.

  But Cain? Cain didn’t care about rules.

  John’s pulse pounded.

  He should’ve known.

  This wasn’t just about him anymore.

  Cain wasn’t coming for John.

  Cain was coming for everyone around him.

  And that?

  That was a mistake.

  John didn’t stop.

  Didn’t slow down.

  The city blurred around him.

  His body moved with unnatural speed, shadows flickering past him as he crossed the slums in record time.

  He reached the safehouse.

  And the moment he stepped inside—

  He knew he was too late.

  The door was broken.

  Furniture overturned.

  And Eli?

  Gone.

  John exhaled slowly.

  Then, for the first time since this started—

  He truly got angry.