The minute Hazel walked out of that crumbling cathedral, she knew the war had changed.
Kade wasn't playing for territory or money. He was after hearts — hers, Michael's, the city's. And if she didn't move first, they'd both drown in his shadows.
She wasn't about to let that happen.
**
Graze Tower — War Room
Michael's jaw clenched as Hazel stormed in, her eyes blazing.
"I told you to let me come with you," he growled.
Hazel tossed the letter onto the table. "If you had, he would've never shown."
Michael picked it up, reading the offer again. His fist tightened around the paper.
"I should've killed him years ago."
Hazel met his gaze. "We both should've. But now? We make him bleed."
Michael's lips twitched into a feral grin. "Tell me your plan, Mrs. Graze."
Hazel grabbed a marker and uncapped it like a weapon.
"Alright. Here's what we do…"
**
Two Hours Later — The Setup
Underneath the cover of darkness, Graze men moved like shadows across the city. Weapons caches relocated. Safehouses fortified. Informants paid double.
And in the middle of it all, Hazel made one phone call she hadn't expected to.
"Isabella?" she murmured into the phone.
The woman on the other end laughed softly. "Didn't think you'd need me again."
"I need eyes in the underground. And a message delivered."
"To who?"
Hazel's voice sharpened. "To every widow, every orphan Roman ever left behind. Tell them there's a new war. And the Queen's calling."
There was a pause, then a grin in Isabella's voice. "Now you're speaking my language."
**
Later That Night — The Trap is Set
Hazel stood at the balcony, watching the city breathe beneath her. Michael came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You're reckless," he murmured.
"You love it."
He kissed her temple. "I do."
She turned in his arms. "We're baiting him. He thinks I'll meet him alone tomorrow night at the docks. What he doesn't know is that every sniper, every loyal soldier, and every angry ghost in this city will be waiting for his men."
Michael's smirk turned lethal. "And what about Kade?"
Hazel's eyes darkened. "Leave him to me."
Michael's breath caught. In that moment, she wasn't the clumsy, doe-eyed girl he married.
She was his equal.
His queen.
**
Somewhere Across the City
Kade sat at his desk, a glass of scotch in one hand, Hazel's old locket in the other.
A man entered, pale and shaking.
"Sir… it's spreading. The message."
Kade smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Let them gather. Let them think they can touch me."
He placed the locket down and pulled a black chess queen from his pocket, rolling it between his fingers.
"Tomorrow night, the city burns.".....