Jomiloju's POV
The morning after our whispered vows, Lagos felt different — heavier, darker, as if the city itself held its breath.
I watched Steve from the corner of the dim room, his jaw clenched tight, eyes scanning every flicker of movement beyond the reinforced windows.
We were no longer just two fugitives hiding in the shadows — we were targets.
Enemies waited patiently, their claws sharp, their promises silent but deadly.
My heart beat a rapid tattoo against my ribs. Despite the fragile peace we'd found last night, I knew it was only a momentary reprieve.
Steve stood abruptly, pacing like a predator in a cage.
"We can't stay here," he said finally. "They'll find us."
I nodded, though the thought of moving again made my insides twist.
Where could we run when the entire city was a web of watchers?
Steve's POV
I paced the room, the weight of every decision pressing down on me.
The underworld didn't forgive.
It didn't forget.
And it was hungry.
Koleosho's eyes were everywhere.
His men, once loyal, had already started shifting allegiance.
Trust was a currency I no longer possessed.
I stopped at the window, staring out at the sprawling city — my city, my battlefield.
Jomiloju's safety wasn't guaranteed anymore.
I clenched my fists.
Not while I still drew breath.
Jomiloju's POV
The knocks came just after noon.
Three hard raps that echoed through the quiet safehouse.
I froze, breath caught, heart pounding louder than the door.
Steve moved faster than I could react, gun drawn.
The door creaked open — just a crack.
A shadow slipped inside.
"Relax, it's me," came a low voice.
I recognized it immediately.
Dourochy.
My sister.
Steve's POV
Dourochy.
The name alone made the hairs on my neck stand.
She was the wild card in this deadly game.
Unpredictable, dangerous, and fiercely loyal to no one but herself.
She stepped inside with that signature smirk.
"Looks like you're still alive," she said, eyes flicking to Jomiloju.
I didn't lower the gun.
"State your business."
She shrugged, casually walking in as if she owned the place.
"Just checking in. Heard there was a wedding."
I caught the glance between her and Jomiloju.
Tension so thick it could cut glass.
Jomiloju's POV
I looked Dourochy up and down — the same fierce eyes, the same reckless energy.
But she wasn't my sister anymore.
Not truly.
She belonged to a world of shadows I barely understood.
"Why are you here?" I asked, voice steady despite the storm inside.
Dourochy laughed, sharp and bitter.
"To remind you that blood doesn't wash clean."
I swallowed hard.
Was she a threat?
Or a lifeline?
Steve's POV
Dourochy took a long drag of her cigarette, blowing smoke like a warning.
"We've all got debts to pay."
Her gaze met mine.
"Even you, Steve."
I felt the old coldness creeping back.
"Talk fast," I said.
She smiled, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
"Koleosho's not done with us. Not yet."
"And?"
"There's a new player in town."
A name I hadn't heard before.
A force even Koleosho feared.
This war was far from over.
Jomiloju's POV
The room seemed to close in around me.
Enemies on all sides.
Allies uncertain.
I realized the truth —
We were fighting more than just men.
We were fighting ghosts.
Ghosts of the past.
Ghosts of broken promises.
And the only way out was to stand together.
Steve's POV
I lowered the gun, though my fingers stayed tight.
"Welcome to the war," I said.
Dourochy smirked.
"Glad to be back."