Present Day

The sound of engines roaring echoed through the underground parking lot as Ayzel stepped out of her car. The dim yellow lighting cast long shadows, stretching toward the sleek black Ducati parked near the exit. Her heels clicked sharply against the pavement as she made her way forward, the anger in her veins burning hotter than the exhaust fumes lingering in the air.

Kai was leaning against his bike, arms crossed, helmet dangling from his fingertips. He wasn't surprised to see her. If anything, he looked like he had been expecting this confrontation.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Kiki?" Ayzel demanded, stopping a few feet away from him.

Kai exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Don't start."

"Don't start?" Her voice was sharp, but underneath the anger was worry—deep, suffocating worry. "You've been doing illegal races, Kai! I had to hear about it from someone else."

"I didn't want you to know," he admitted, voice quieter now.

"Oh, how thoughtful of you," she shot back. "Because keeping me in the dark while you risk your life in the streets is so much better."

Kai ran a hand through his hair, frustration simmering beneath his skin. "Princess, you don't get it—"

"Don't you dare call me that right now," she cut him off, eyes flashing. "Explain it to me, Kai. Explain why you're out here gambling with your life."

He hesitated, but then something in him snapped. His voice was bitter when he spoke. "Because I can't just sit around doing nothing! I need to find out who's behind this, who set up our family—"

"And what? You think speeding through the streets at night is going to bring them back?" Ayzel's voice cracked slightly, and she hated it.

Kai's jaw clenched. "I think it's a way in. The underground scene knows things, Ayzel. It's where I can get information."

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside her. "You should've told me."

"You have enough to deal with," he muttered, looking away.

"That's not an excuse, Kiki. We do this together."

His shoulders tensed at her use of the childhood nickname. For a second, he looked like the little brother she used to protect, the one who followed her around with wide eyes and an unshakable trust. But that boy was gone. This version of Kai was older, sharper—carved from grief and revenge.

"I can take care of myself," he said, voice quieter now.

Ayzel stepped forward and placed a hand on his arm. "You don't have to."

Kai swallowed hard but said nothing.

They stood there in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words.

Across the city, Zaiden wasn't as composed as he usually was.

Levi barely had time to react before Zaiden shoved him against the side of his car. The garage was empty except for the two of them, but even if it wasn't, Zaiden wouldn't have cared. His patience had snapped.

"You ran," Zaiden spat, voice low and cold. "You left."

Levi shoved him back. "I didn't run."

"Then what would you call it?" Zaiden stepped closer, unflinching. "You abandoned everything. You abandoned us."

Levi let out a humorless laugh. "Of course you'd see it that way."

"What other way is there?"

Levi's expression darkened. "I lost them too, Zaiden. Just because I didn't stay and play mafia prince doesn't mean I don't care."

Zaiden's hands curled into fists. "No, but it does mean you're a coward."

That hit a nerve. Levi grabbed Zaiden by the collar, their faces inches apart. "You think you're so much better, don't you? You think you're the only one who's allowed to grieve?"

Zaiden didn't back down. "At least I stayed."

Levi's grip tightened before he shoved Zaiden away. "You didn't stay because you care. You stayed because you love control. You love holding everything together so no one can see how broken you really are."

Zaiden's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Levi let out a shaky breath. "You don't get to judge me for walking away when you're just as messed up as the rest of us."

Zaiden finally looked at him, and for the first time in months, there was something raw behind his cold exterior. "Then prove me wrong, Levi."

Levi didn't have an answer for that.

Haelyn sat at her desk, staring at the notes she had been collecting. Pieces of information—whispers, inconsistencies, small details that didn't add up.

It had been bothering her for weeks now. The way things had unfolded, the way their families had been taken out so efficiently—it wasn't random. It was too calculated.

Her stomach twisted as she stared at the latest piece of evidence.

It wasn't just an attack.

It was a betrayal.

Runa slammed the door to Zaiden's office behind her, startling him from his thoughts.

"You don't get to push me away anymore," she snapped, stepping forward. "I've had enough of it."

Zaiden sighed, rubbing his temples. "Runa—"

"No," she cut him off. "You don't get to do that. You don't get to act like I don't exist until it's convenient for you."

He met her gaze, his usual calm mask slipping. "I'm trying to protect you."

Runa let out a bitter laugh. "That's bullshit."

Zaiden frowned.

"You don't push people away to protect them, Zaiden. You push them away because you're scared. Scared that if you let anyone close, they'll see you're not as invincible as you pretend to be."

His fingers tightened around the edge of his desk.

Runa's voice softened just slightly. "You don't have to carry this alone."

Zaiden didn't respond right away. When he finally did, his voice was barely above a whisper. "I don't know how else to do it."

Runa stepped closer. "Then let me show you."

Flashback: Madrid

The amusement park was buzzing with life, the air filled with laughter and the scent of popcorn.

Ayzel and Zaiden stood in front of a ring toss booth, glaring at each other.

"I bet I can win more than you," Ayzel said smugly.

Zaiden smirked. "Doubtful, princess."

Kai groaned. "Why do I feel like this is going to turn into a war?"

"It already has," Levi muttered.

By the end of the night, Ayzel and Zaiden had won an absurd number of stuffed animals, half of which they had thrown at each other in childish victory dances.

Runa and Haelyn watched in amusement, while Kai simply shook his head.

"You two are ridiculous," Runa remarked.

Zaiden grinned. "But entertaining."

Ayzel smirked. "Always."

For a moment, everything was perfect. No worries, no grief—just six friends, laughter, and a night that felt like it would never end.

But it did.

And now, they were just trying to survive.