Chapter 12 – The Hunt Begins
Evelyn lay awake in the motel room, staring at the ceiling. Sleep was impossible. Adrian's story played over and over in her mind, each detail settling like a heavy stone in her chest. She had spent seven years believing he had left her, thinking he had walked away without a second thought. Now, she knew the truth. He had never stopped fighting to return to her. Every scar on his body, every haunted look in his eyes—it all told a story of survival.
And the people who took him?
They were still out there.
A deep rage settled inside her, slow and burning. They had stolen seven years from them. They had buried the truth, erased Adrian from existence, and kept them apart. That wasn't something she could forgive. That wasn't something she could walk away from.
And now, she and Adrian were going to make them pay.
---
Tracking the Ghosts of Blackgate
Adrian stood near the motel window, his back to her, eyes locked on the night outside. His body was still, but Evelyn could feel the tension radiating from him.
"They won't stop looking for me," he said quietly. "Not after what I did."
Evelyn sat up, her jaw tightening. "Then we don't wait for them to come."
Adrian turned to her, his gaze sharp.
"We hunt them first."
His lips curled into a small, dangerous smirk. "Glad to see you haven't lost your fire."
Evelyn crossed her arms, her determination unshakable. "You spent seven years locked in hell because of these people. I'm not letting them get away with it."
Adrian nodded, then pulled out a folded piece of paper from his jacket and placed it on the table. "I started looking into them the moment I got out."
Evelyn leaned over, scanning the list of names and locations. Some were former Blackgate guards, others were part of Orion's Circle—the secret organization that had buried Adrian alive. Blackgate might have been shut down, but its enforcers were still out there, hiding in the shadows. Scattered, but not gone.
And then, at the top of the list, was a name that made her pulse quicken.
Jonas Reddington.
Evelyn's breath caught. "That was the man you fought?"
Adrian's jaw clenched. "He survived."
Her stomach twisted.
"He's the reason I was taken in the first place," Adrian continued. "And he's still running operations in the underground." His storm-gray eyes locked onto hers.
"He's our first target."
---
The First Move
The next day, Evelyn and Adrian drove toward the city's industrial district. Reddington's last known location was an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town—a suspected Blackgate safehouse.
The plan was simple. Get inside, confirm Reddington was still there, and get out.
At least, that was the plan.
Reality, as always, was never that simple.
Because when they arrived, it wasn't just a warehouse.
It was a heavily guarded base.
At least fifteen armed men patrolled the perimeter, their movements precise, coordinated. Security cameras covered every entrance. This wasn't just some hideout.
Evelyn's hands curled into fists. "This wasn't just a safehouse."
Adrian's expression darkened. "It's a war zone."
---
The Infiltration
They parked the car a few blocks away and moved in on foot. Adrian pulled out a knife and a silenced pistol, checking both before slipping them back into his belt. Evelyn's stomach twisted. She had never seen him like this before—focused, controlled, deadly.
Adrian caught her staring. "You don't have to be part of this."
Evelyn shook her head. "I'm not leaving you."
A flicker of something flashed in his eyes. Then, he nodded once.
"Stay close," he murmured.
They moved through the shadows, careful and quiet, avoiding the outer guards. Every step, every breath was measured. Then, Adrian struck.
✔ The first guard never even saw him coming. A swift, silent takedown.
✔ The second barely had time to react before Adrian grabbed him, cutting off his air before lowering him to the ground.
✔ The third reached for his radio—Evelyn grabbed a loose pipe and swung, knocking him unconscious.
Adrian raised an eyebrow at her.
She shrugged. "Figured I'd help."
He smirked. "Not bad."
But then—everything went wrong.
Because the moment they reached the entrance—
A red laser dot appeared on Adrian's chest.
A sniper.
And then—
Gunfire exploded around them.
---
The Ambush
"RUN!" Adrian grabbed Evelyn's wrist, pulling her behind cover as bullets tore through the air. The entire warehouse came alive—guards pouring out, shouting orders.
They had been waiting for them.
Adrian cursed under his breath. "They knew we were coming."
Evelyn's pulse pounded. "What do we do?"
Adrian reloaded his pistol. His voice was steady. "We fight."
He broke cover, firing three precise shots—two men dropped instantly. But there were too many. They needed a way out. Fast.
And then—Evelyn saw it.
A stack of gas canisters near the loading dock.
"Adrian, shoot the canisters!" she shouted.
He didn't hesitate.
One shot.
BOOM.
The explosion ripped through the warehouse, sending shockwaves through the air. Flames roared, smoke filling the space. The guards scrambled, momentarily disoriented.
"Go!" Adrian grabbed Evelyn's hand, and they sprinted toward the exit.
But just as they reached the door—
A voice stopped them cold.
"Well, well."
Adrian froze.
A tall figure stepped out from the smoke, his face covered in scars.
Jonas Reddington.
"Didn't think I'd see you again, Hale."
Adrian's fists clenched, his entire body radiating fury.
Reddington smirked, raising a pistol.
"You should've stayed dead."
And then—he pulled the trigger.