The night was cold, the air thick with the tension of an impending storm.

Jae stood in the middle of an empty street, his phone clutched tightly in his hand, waiting.

Waiting for the bastard who dared to hurt Ava.

The plan was simple. Make it seem like Jae had come alone—like he was vulnerable. Make them believe he was desperate, reckless, easy prey.

But he wasn’t alone.

Hiding in the shadows, spread out across rooftops and alleyways, Section E was watching. Ready to strike.

Kai was stationed on the rooftop above, a steel pipe resting on his shoulder, his grip itching for violence.

Eli was lurking in the alley, his knife glinting in the faint streetlight. He was silent, dangerous, waiting for his moment.

Minho was positioned near a parked car, his hands in his pockets—but his eyes were sharp. Calculating.

The moment the enemy showed up, it would be over.

And then, as if on cue, a black car rolled in.

Jae’s fingers twitched. Showtime.

The car door opened, and out stepped a man in a dark suit.

Not Ethan. Not some school delinquent.

A professional.

Jae’s stomach turned, but his face remained unreadable.

“So,” the man said, stepping forward, hands in his pockets. “You must be the boy who doesn’t know when to quit.”

Jae smirked. “You must be the dumbass who thinks I scare easy.”

The man chuckled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re brave. I’ll give you that. But bravery doesn’t keep you alive.”

Jae’s smirk widened. “Good thing I’m not alone, then.”

Before the man could react, there was a sharp whoosh—a metal pipe crashed down from above, barely missing the man’s head.

Kai landed in front of Jae, gripping the pipe like a baseball bat. “Oops. Missed.”

The man barely had time to register the attack before Eli appeared behind him, a knife pressed to his throat.

“Move, and I’ll make sure you never speak again,” Eli whispered, his voice cold as ice.

Minho walked up from the side, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I’d start talking if I were you.”

The man’s eyes flickered around, realizing too late that he had walked into a trap.

Jae took a step forward, his voice low and dangerous. “Who sent you?”

Silence.

Kai sighed. “Guess we’ll have to break something first.”

Jae’s fingers twitched. He wanted answers. And he was willing to get them by any means necessary.

Because no one—no one—hurt Ava and got away with it.