It’s worse than I expected. A crowd’s gathering, but I barely notice them. All I can see is the ruin of what was supposed to be mine.
Dante stands next to me, fists still clenched. “What’s the plan, Teo?”
I don’t answer right away. I let myself watch the flames, feel their heat, and let it feed the anger building inside me. This isn’t just a building on fire. It’s a declaration of war.
“We rebuild,” I say, my voice low but steady, “and we takeeverythingfrom him. If he wants to start this, he’ll see exactly what he’s up against. Call the others. I want this entire place scoped out before the cops start sniffing around.”
Dante nods, a dark gleam in his eye. “Good. They’re already on their way.”
There’s a sudden crash, and we both watch as a huge support beam falls through the wreck, causing the entire third floor to cave in on itself. I take a cautious step back, but as I do, I notice something flicker in the corner of my eye.
Two streets over, someone slips down an alleyway and out of sight. My jaw clenches, blood roaring in my ear.
“He’s still here,” I hiss as I take off.
My feet carry me after him. Each step feeds the anger until it’s an inferno inside of me. It’s no accident he’s here. He wanted to watch it burn, wanted to see my reaction, but he’s about to get more than he bargained for.
Dante is close on my heels, so I shout back at him, “Get everyone into positionnow.”
“You can’t go after him alone.”
“Then be fucking quick about it!” I snap as I sprint across the road, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic.
As I round the corner into the alley, Leon must hear my footsteps because he throws a glance over his shoulder, and the flash of recognition in his eyes says it all. He stops, hands up defensively, almost like he’s about to talk his way out of it.
But I don’t give him a chance.
I lunge at him, fists clenched, and he barely has time to react before I slam him against the alley wall. His back hits the bricks with a satisfying thud, and he grunts in pain, but his hands are quick.
He grabs me by the collar, twisting me around until I’m the one shoved back against the wall.
“I warned you. You should have never tried to build that casino,” he sneers, his voice dripping with venomous arrogance.
I shove him off me, throwing a quick right hook that catches him on the jaw. He stumbles back, spitting blood onto the asphalt, and grins like he’s enjoying this.
The alley is narrow and cluttered with old crates, a busted trash can, and a stray pipe lying abandoned near the wall. Leon grabs the pipe before I can, swinging it at my head, but I duck, feeling the rush of air as it whizzes just past my ear.
I surge forward, catching him off balance, and slam his hand hard against the wall. The pipe clatters to the ground.
“You think burning down my casino’s going to stop me?” I growl as I shove him brutally into the stack of crates. “You think any of this will matter once Ida pays for what she’s done?”
But he recovers faster than I thought possible. He shoves me back, nearly knocking me off my feet, and we both stumble to right ourselves. Our breath comes out heavy, eyes locked like two animals sizing each other up.
“You don’t get it yet, do you, Teo?” he says. “You’re never going to find her.”
The words light a fire in me that is hotter than the one devouring the casino. I lunge at him again, and suddenly, we’re locked in a brutal struggle of blows, giving like for like.
He’s quick, landing a punch square on my ribs, pain searing through my side, but I don’t let it slow me down. I bring my elbow down hard on his shoulder, feeling the impact reverberate all the way up my arm.
He staggers back, but his foot catches on a loose brick, and he uses it to swing himself right back at me. His fist connects with my temple, and stars flash in my vision, but I refuse to go down.
We’re moving in a fast and dangerous rhythm, each looking for an opening that never comes. His eyes are burning with the same stubborn fire I feel.
Neither of us is willing to give an inch.
“Where’s that fiery little redhead of yours?” he sneers as we circle each other once more. “She could have taken me down quicker than you.”
I grunt as I lash out, grabbing him by the collar, forcing him down onto his knees against the cracked pavement. He glares up at me, breathing hard, and for a second, I think he’s finished.
