The city pulsed with unease.
Word of Kade's return had spread like wildfire. Whispers in alleyways. Nervous glances in underground clubs. Graze men doubled their patrols. Rival crews fortified their turf. The uneasy peace cracked like thin glass.
But Kade wasn't hiding.
He wanted to be found.
And Hazel was his invitation.
**
Graze Tower — 2:00 AM
Hazel lay restless in their bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was dark but her mind raced. The locket on the nightstand gleamed in the moonlight. A part of her wanted to hurl it off the balcony.
Michael paced in the living room, shirtless, jaw tight.
She finally got up, pulling his hoodie over her slip.
"Michael," she called softly.
He turned, eyes shadowed.
"I can't sleep," she admitted.
He crossed the room in two strides, pulling her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Hazel. I should've seen this coming."
She pressed her face into his chest. "It's not your fault. But we can't let him get ahead of us."
Michael kissed the top of her head. "I won't let him touch you."
A knock shattered the quiet.
Both froze.
Michael grabbed his gun from the table.
Another knock. Calm. Mocking.
Michael signaled for Hazel to stay back and opened the door — gun raised.
But it wasn't Kade.
A single man stood there, tall and pale in a tailored suit, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement.
"Delivery for Mrs. Graze," the man drawled.
Michael cocked the gun. "You've got three seconds before I paint these walls with your brains."
The man smiled, unfazed. He held out an envelope.
"To the lady of the house. From Mr. Kade."
Hazel stepped forward before Michael could stop her, snatching the envelope.
The man gave a slight bow. "He'll be seeing you soon."
And just like that, he vanished into the night.
**
The Letter
Michael watched as Hazel opened it, his gut coiled tight.
Inside was a single note:
"One night. One drink. One conversation. No guards. No weapons. Or I bury your past with your future. Midnight. The old cathedral."
Hazel's blood ran cold.
Michael's hands clenched. "No."
Hazel looked up at him. "If I don't go, he'll make his move anyway."
"I won't risk you."
She stepped closer. "We risked everything when we took this city. I'm not some pawn, Michael. I decide how this ends."
He stared at her, torn between fury and pride.
"I'll be watching," he promised.
Hazel's lips twitched. "I'd expect nothing less."
**
Midnight — The Old Cathedral
The place was a ruin. Stained glass shattered, pews rotted away. Candlelight flickered in the distance, where a single table stood.
Kade sat waiting, dark and beautiful in the way devils are.
Hazel stepped into the light.
He rose, offering a hand.
"Mrs. Graze. Even prettier in person."
Hazel didn't take his hand.
"You wanted a conversation," she said coolly. "Start talking."
Kade chuckled. "Straight to business. I admire that."
He gestured for her to sit.
"I came to offer you a choice."
Hazel's brow arched. "I'm listening."
Kade leaned in, his voice low and wicked. "Leave him. Walk away from Graze and this city. Come with me. I'll give you back everything they stole — your past, your family's name, your mother's locket wasn't the only thing I kept, Hazel."
Her heart stuttered.
"And if I refuse?"
Kade's smile sharpened. "Then you'll watch this city burn. And him with it."
Hazel leaned forward, eyes glittering. "You're underestimating the wrong queen."
Then she rose.
"I'll see you on the battlefield, Kade."
And walked away.
Kade watched her go, his smirk dark and deadly.
"Oh, Hazel," he murmured. "You have no idea what's coming."...