The car sped through the empty highway, leaving the burning warehouse far behind.
Inside—
Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating. Dangerous.
Brevis drove with one hand on the wheel, the other still gripping his gun.
Luna sat in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead.
And in the back—
Adrian Kross sat like he belonged there.
Like this wasn't the first time he had nearly died tonight.
Finally, Brevis broke the silence.
"Well."
He glanced at the rearview mirror.
"Anyone want to explain why we just got blown up?"
Adrian's voice came calm as ever.
"Victor doesn't like loose ends."
Brevis scoffed.
"That makes three of us."
Luna spoke quietly.
"This is bigger than we thought."
Brevis nodded slightly.
"No kidding."
He slowed the car as they entered the city again.
Streetlights flickered past them.
Everything looked normal.
But nothing felt normal anymore.
Brevis parked inside a private underground garage.
The engine turned off.
But no one moved.
Then Brevis said something that changed everything.
"We need to talk."
Adrian leaned back slightly.
"I assumed that was obvious."
Luna turned toward them.
"This isn't the place."
Brevis shook his head.
"It is."
He stepped out of the car.
The other two followed.
The garage was empty.
Silent.
Safe—for now.
Brevis turned to face Adrian directly.
"You knew Victor would show up."
Adrian didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Brevis's eyes darkened.
"And you didn't tell me."
"You wouldn't have believed me."
Brevis took a step closer.
"Try me."
Adrian held his gaze.
"Victor isn't just part of the Syndicate."
"Then what is he?"
Adrian's voice lowered.
"He's above it."
Luna crossed her arms.
"I told you the list exposed something bigger."
Brevis looked between them.
"How big?"
Adrian answered.
"Government level."
Brevis let out a quiet breath.
"That explains the army."
Luna added softly,
"And the resources."
Silence settled again.
Then Brevis asked the real question.
"So what now?"
Adrian's answer came immediately.
"We take him down."
Brevis laughed.
"Just like that?"
"Yes."
"With what army?"
Adrian looked at him.
"You have one."
Brevis shook his head.
"Not enough for this."
Luna spoke quietly.
"Then we don't fight like an army."
Both men looked at her.
"What do you suggest?" Brevis asked.
Luna's voice became steady.
"We play smarter."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"That's more like it."
Brevis crossed his arms.
"Explain."
Luna stepped closer.
"Victor thinks he eliminated us."
Brevis nodded.
"Fair assumption."
"So we use that."
Adrian added,
"We disappear."
Brevis raised an eyebrow.
"That's your brilliant plan?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
His eyes sharpened.
"We strike where he doesn't expect."
Luna continued,
"Victor's power comes from secrecy."
Brevis nodded slowly.
"And if we expose him…"
Adrian finished,
"…he loses everything."
Brevis smirked slightly.
"Now that sounds interesting."
But then his expression hardened again.
"There's just one problem."
Adrian tilted his head.
"What?"
Brevis looked directly at him.
"I don't trust you."
Silence.
Adrian didn't react.
Luna stepped between them slightly.
"Brevis—"
"No."
His voice was firm.
"He lied. He manipulated everything."
Adrian finally spoke.
"And you're different?"
Brevis smirked.
"At least I'm honest about it."
Adrian almost smiled.
"Fair."
Luna sighed.
"This isn't the time for this."
Brevis looked at her.
"He's the reason you're in this mess."
Adrian's voice cut in.
"And you're the reason she's still alive."
The tension snapped tight.
Brevis stepped forward again.
"You think this is a game?"
Adrian stood as well.
"No."
Their faces were inches apart.
"This is survival."
For a moment—
It looked like they might start fighting again.
But Luna's voice stopped them.
"Enough."
Both men went quiet.
She looked at Brevis first.
"You said this became your war."
Brevis didn't answer.
Then she turned to Adrian.
"And you said the game is ending."
Adrian nodded slightly.
Luna took a deep breath.
"Then stop acting like enemies for five minutes."
Silence.
Then Brevis stepped back.
"Fine."
Adrian nodded once.
"Temporary."
Luna exhaled slowly.
"Good."
Brevis looked at Adrian again.
"So what's the plan?"
Adrian's eyes darkened slightly.
"We find Victor's core."
Brevis frowned.
"Core?"
"His main operation."
Luna added,
"The place where he controls everything."
Brevis nodded.
"And you know where that is?"
Adrian hesitated for the first time.
"Not exactly."
Brevis rolled his eyes.
"Great."
"But I know someone who does," Adrian added.
Luna stiffened slightly.
"Who?"
Adrian looked at her.
"You won't like it."
Luna's voice became tense.
"Say it."
Adrian answered quietly.
"Your past."
Brevis frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Luna's expression changed.
Slowly.
Realization.
"No…" she whispered.
Brevis looked at her.
"What?"
Luna stepped back slightly.
"There's only one person who would know that."
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Brevis grew impatient.
"Who are we talking about?"
Luna's voice trembled slightly.
"My father's partner."
Brevis froze.
"I thought your father was killed."
"He was."
"Then how does his partner fit into this?"
Luna looked at Adrian.
"You're saying he's still alive."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Luna shook her head.
"That's impossible."
Adrian's voice was calm.
"No."
Her heart pounded.
"Where is he?"
Adrian's answer came quietly.
"With Victor."
Silence filled the garage again.
Brevis ran a hand through his hair.
"Let me get this straight."
He looked at Luna.
"Your father died because of the list."
"Yes."
"And his partner…"
"…is working with the man we're trying to kill."
Luna didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Brevis let out a low breath.
"That's messy."
Adrian stepped closer.
"It's necessary."
Luna looked up at him.
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
Adrian's voice softened slightly.
"Because you weren't ready."
Luna's eyes burned.
"And now I am?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Brevis looked between them.
"So what's the move?"
Adrian's answer was simple.
"We find him."
Luna's hands clenched slightly.
"And then?"
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"We make him talk."
Brevis smiled faintly.
"Now that… I can work with."
Luna looked at both of them.
Two dangerous men.
Two enemies.
Now forced to stand on the same side.
For now.
Because deep down—
She knew something neither of them had said out loud.
This alliance wouldn't last forever.
But for now…
It was enough.