The morning after Kael's proposal, Elara woke to find him sitting on the balcony of her apartment, staring out at the city with a serious expression. The ring on her finger felt warm and real—a constant reminder of the life they were building together.
"Morning," she said, wrapping a blanket around his shoulders as she joined him. "You've been out here a while."
"I couldn't sleep." He took her hand, rubbing his thumb over the silver band on her finger. "I keep thinking about what this means—marrying you, building a life together. I want to make sure I can give you everything you deserve."
"You already do," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "You've given this city a second chance, and you've given me a reason to believe in happy endings."
Kael was silent for a moment, then spoke quietly. "There's something I haven't told you. Something from my past that I need you to know before we get married."
Elara sat up, looking at him with concern. "What is it?"
"When I first took over the syndicate, there was a man named Marco Torres who worked for me. He was like a brother to me—we'd grown up together on the streets, both of us with nothing." He paused, his jaw tightening. "I trusted him completely. But when Thorne offered him more money and power, he betrayed me. He gave Thorne information that led to the death of three of my men—good men who'd been loyal to me from the start."
"What did you do?"
"I found him before Thorne could get him out of the city." Kael's voice was flat, emotionless. "I made sure he could never betray anyone again. I put him in prison, but not before making it clear that if he ever came back to Blackwater, he'd regret it."
Elara squeezed his hand. "That was a long time ago, Kael. You were different then."
"I know." He stood up and walked to the edge of the balcony. "But word came in this morning—Marco is out of prison. And he's back in the city."
Elara's heart sank. "Do you think he's here to get revenge?"
"Thorne's trial is scheduled for next month. Marco knows I'll be testifying against him. It wouldn't surprise me if Thorne paid him to make sure I don't make it to the stand." He turned back to her, his steel-gray eyes serious. "I won't let anything happen to you, Elara. I'll make sure you're protected."
"I don't want to be protected," she said firmly. "I want to stand by your side. Whatever comes, we'll face it together."
Before Kael could respond, his phone rang. He answered it, his expression growing darker as he listened. When he hung up, he looked at her with regret.
"That was Maria. Marco was spotted at the old docks—where my parents' warehouse burned down all those years ago. He left a message for me—he wants to meet there tonight. Alone."
"You can't go there by yourself," Elara said immediately.
"I have to." He pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. "If I don't face him now, he'll keep coming after us—after you. I won't let that happen."
Elara knew she couldn't change his mind. "Then I'm going with you."
"Elara—"
"No." She looked up at him, her eyes determined. "We're a team now. Whatever you're facing, I'm facing it too."
Kael stared at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. But you stay in the car. No matter what happens, you don't get out."
That evening, they drove to the old docks. The sun was setting, painting the water in shades of orange and red, and the abandoned warehouses stood like ghosts against the sky. Kael parked the car a block away, turning to Elara one last time.
"Stay here," he said, his hand resting on her cheek. "I'll be back soon."
He got out of the car and walked toward the docks, his broad frame moving steadily through the growing darkness. Elara watched him go, her heart hammering against her ribs. She knew she'd promised to stay in the car, but she couldn't just sit there and wait. Quietly, she got out and followed him, staying in the shadows as she made her way to the warehouse where Marco was waiting.
Inside, Kael stood facing a man she'd never seen before—tall and lean, with dark hair and eyes filled with anger.
"Riven," Marco said, a sneer on his face. "I was wondering if you'd actually show up."
"You're supposed to be gone," Kael said, his voice cold and dangerous. "I made that clear when I sent you away."
"Times change." Marco pulled out a gun, pointing it at Kael. "Thorne offered me a deal—take you out, and I get my place back in the syndicate. Plus half of everything he controls."
"You think he'll keep his word?" Kael asked, his expression calm despite the gun pointed at his chest. "Thorne doesn't keep deals with traitors."
"Better to take my chances than spend the rest of my life in prison." Marco took a step forward, his finger tightening on the trigger. "This is for all the years I lost because of you."
Before he could pull the trigger, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse as a crate fell to the floor. Elara stepped out of the shadows, her hands raised.
"Don't do this," she said, looking at Marco. "Kael has changed. He's working to make this city better. Killing him won't fix anything—it will only bring more pain."
Marco laughed, shifting his gun to point at her. "So this is why you've gone soft, Riven. You've got yourself a little journalist who thinks she can save you."
"Leave her out of this," Kael said, moving between Elara and the gun. "This is between you and me."
"Fine." Marco turned his gun back to Kael. "But she'll watch you die first."
Elara saw her chance. As Marco focused on Kael, she grabbed a heavy pipe from beside the crate and swung it hard, hitting his arm and sending the gun flying across the warehouse floor. Marco cried out in pain, clutching his arm as Kael moved forward and disarmed him completely.
"Thank you," Kael said, looking at Elara with relief and pride.
"You said we'd face it together," she replied, her hands still shaking slightly.
Within minutes, the police arrived and took Marco away. As they stood outside the warehouse watching him be led to the squad car, Kael pulled Elara close.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him sooner," he said. "I was afraid you'd see the man I used to be and run away."
"I could never run away from you," she said, looking up at him. "Your past is part of who you are, Kael. It's what made you strong enough to fight for what's right."
He kissed her, holding her tightly as the sun disappeared completely and the stars began to shine above them. The past was behind them now, and the future was theirs to build—together.