How To Hate Your Husband – Chapter 39&40

HOW TO HATE YOUR HUSBAND

How To Hate Your Husband – Chapter 39&40

{•𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲•}

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆- 𝐒𝐈𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍.

☆ 𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆. ☆

©𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

[𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 -𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬- 𝐆𝐲𝐦]

Bianca wiped the sweat from her brow, finishing the last of her personal training routine. She turned and froze for a fraction of a second.

Romeo stood at the door, arms relaxed at his sides, his eyes locked on hers.

“Good morning,” she said.

“Morning,” he replied, stepping closer, his movements smooth.

“How long have you been there?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Long enough,” he said, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Hmm. Tomorrow’s gonna be really long and bloody,” she muttered, her fingers tightening around the towel.

“I know. You seem like you’re excited,” he observed, tilting his head slightly.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t like the idea of a war either, but the earlier we do this, the better.”

He stepped back slightly, cracking his knuckles. “Wanna spar with me?”

“Really?” She blinked, caught off guard.

“Yes. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you,” He said, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“I’d rather you don’t,” She shot back, smirking, her stance already shifting into a ready position.

“What are the stakes?” he asked, circling her slowly, eyes sharp.

“The first person to hit their back on the ground loses,” she replied, her voice steady.

“You might lose,” he said, a confident tilt in his voice.

“I don’t mind,” she said, setting her feet firmly, muscles coiled like springs.

Bianca’s muscles tensed as she faced Romeo, each of them circling the other like predators.

“Ready?” he asked, eyes scanning her movements.

“Always,” she replied, fists up, legs planted firmly.

Romeo lunged first, his fist slicing through the air like a blade aimed at her shoulder. Bianca’s body snapped back instinctively, her movements sharp and precise, dodging just enough to avoid a direct hit.

She jabbed lightly in return, testing his guard, but Romeo barely flinched.

With a swift pivot, she tried a low kick, her foot grazing his shin, more to gauge him. He didn’t even stagger. In a blink, he closed the distance and delivered a solid strike to her abdomen.

The air whooshed from her lungs, and her back arched instinctively from the impact.

She steadied herself immediately, eyes narrowing, fists tight—but the faint grin on his face told her he was enjoying every second of it.

“You’ve really gotten stronger,” He said, circling her.

“Of course,” she smirked. “Asides Grandpa Rafael, you trained me too.”

Another exchange. Bianca blocked a high kick, retaliated with a punch to his ribs.

Romeo grunted, deflecting, then spun to sweep her legs, she staggered back hard but stopped before she could fall on her back.

“So… when did you realize you loved me?” She asked suddenly, dodging a punch.

“That’s a secret,” He said with a grin, eyes glinting.

She smiled, ducking another jab and landing a quick elbow. “I have something I want to give you.”

“Me too,” he said, briefly distracted as he thought of the ring. “I want to give you something.”

“Is it a gift?” she teased, circling him.

“Not really a gift, but I’ll be really happy to finally give it to you,” He admitted, ducking her next strike.

Their Fists collided again in quick jabs, blocks, feints. Bianca managed a sharp kick to his side, making him stumble slightly. He laughed, recovering instantly.

“What’s my gift?” He asked, catching her off guard with a sweep that almost knocked her down.

“I’ll tell you when we succeed in the war. It’s at my apartment,” She said with a wink, rolling out of his follow-up strike and landing lightly on her feet.

Finally, Romeo caught her off guard with a swift combination of jabs and a low kick. Bianca hit the floor, smacking her back lightly.

He stood over her, grinning.

“You were holding back on me, huh?”she panted, a playful smirk curling her lips.

“Don’t want to hurt you,” He extended his hand to help her up. “Hungry? Let’s eat out.”

“Sure,” she said, letting him pull her to her feet, their hands lingering together for just a heartbeat before they released.

_______
[𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨]

Ginger moved quietly through the room, folding a few clothes into her bag with stiff, deliberate motions.

The place already felt different, like it no longer belonged to her. She slung the strap over her shoulder and turned—

—and nearly collided with Levi standing in the doorway.

He stared at the bag, then at her face. “Where are you going with your things?”

“Where do you think?” she replied flatly. “I’m leaving.”

“Hold on.” His brows pulled together. “You can’t just leave.”

She scoffed softly.

“Why not?” She stepped past him, reaching for the door. “Look, I didn’t say we can’t be friends. But I need to stay away from you. For my mental health.”

She took another step.

His hand shot out, gripping her waist, pulling her back against his chest before she could react.

“Let go,” she said, voice tight.

Instead, he turned her around and kissed her.

It wasn’t gentle. It was desperate.

She shoved him back, palm flat against his chest. “Stop playing mind games with me, Levi.”

His jaw clenched.

“Then what do you want from me?” He snapped. “What can I do to make you stay? Huh?”

She searched his face, really looked at him this time.

“You’d do anything?” she asked quietly.

“Yes.” The answer came too fast. “Anything.”

Her grip loosened on the bag. Slowly, she let it slip from her shoulder. It hit the floor with a soft thud.

“Alright then,” she said, stepping closer. “Let’s start with the basics of what I want.”

Before he could ask what that meant, she reached up, cupped his face, and kissed him—slow, intentional, claiming.

Ginger’s fingers slid to the hem of his shirt, tugging it up slowly, deliberately, as if daring him to stop her.

He didn’t.

Levi’s breath hitched as she pulled it over his head and tossed it aside. His hands came up instantly, gripping her hips, pulling her closer as his lips found hers again.

This time he kissed her back without hesitation, without restraint.

They stumbled together, steps unsteady, bodies pressed too close to think straight.

Her back hit the edge of the bed and she moaned softly into his mouth, breathless, before he followed her down, hands braced on either side of her.

“Ginger…” he murmured, voice rough.

She pulled him down by the neck, cutting off whatever he was about to say before kissing him again.

_______
[𝐒𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨]

Sasha stepped out of her room, hair slightly tousled, heading toward the kitchen when her phone buzzed in the pocket of her shorts. She paused, fished it out, and glanced at the screen.

Caleb.

A small frown formed before curiosity won. She opened the message.

📱
Caleb: Hi pretty face 😌, what’s up?
Sasha: Good morning.
Caleb: Are you busy at the hospital tomorrow evening?
Sasha: No. My shift ends early.
Caleb: Great 😊. Can we meet up tomorrow?
Sasha: What for?
Caleb: Just wanted to hang out with you. Like dinner or something 🍽️
Sasha: Are you asking me out on a date?
Caleb: Kind of 😏
Sasha: I told you that I have a boyfriend.
Caleb: I know. And honestly, I don’t care.
Caleb: I’ll make you fall in love with me and forget about him.
Sasha: You’re not being serious.
Caleb: I am. That’s if you let me.
Caleb: So Sasha… will you go out on a date with me? 💬
Sasha: I don’t know.
Caleb: C’mon. Just get to know me first.
Caleb: I’m a good guy, I promise 😊

Sasha stared at the screen, chewing lightly on her lower lip.

Hunter was leaving for Italy tomorrow.
He wouldn’t be around.
It was just dinner.
Just getting to know someone.

After a moment, she typed back.

📱
Sasha: Sure.
Caleb: Great 😍
Caleb: I’ll text you when I decide the location.
Caleb: Talk to you later, pretty 😘

Sasha slipped her phone back into her pocket, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she resumed walking toward the kitchen.

“He sounds cute,” she chuckled to herself—completely unaware of how much trouble that one decision might bring.

_______
[𝐒𝐤𝐲’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨]

The villa was new. Freshly built, impossibly large, perched away from the noise of the city like it wanted privacy just as much as its owner did.

Clean white walls stretched wide, glass panels reflecting the evening sky, soft lights lining the pathways like quiet stars.

Nancy’s fingers were laced with his as he led her through the open back doors, the air cooler outside.

“This place is huge,” She said, turning her head slowly as they walked.

He glanced at her, amused. “You asked for a tour.”

She smiled, then her gaze shifted to the tall fences, the cameras tucked neatly into corners, the guards stationed farther out near the gates. Her brows pulled together slightly.

“You sure the security outside your villa is enough?” she asked.

He stopped walking.

“You’re worried about me?” he said, tilting his head, a soft tease in his voice.

“Of course I am,” she replied immediately, like it was obvious. “After everything that happened… you don’t exactly need to be nonchalant about your life.”

He squeezed her hand a little tighter before tugging her forward again.

They reached the outdoor pool, the water glowing under submerged lights, calm and inviting, the surface reflecting the stars above.

Nancy slowed, then stopped completely.

“Wow,” she breathed. “It’s really pretty.”

“So are you,” he said without thinking.

She shot him a look. “Smooth.”

He chuckled, then leaned against the edge of the pool, still holding her hand. “So… about what I asked you at school.”

She turned to face him. “What about?”

“The duet. For the festival.” His eyes stayed on her face, searching. “You said you’d think about it. Don’t tell me you’re going to say no.”

She hesitated, then sighed. “Honestly? I don’t want to do it.”

He straightened. “You can’t decide that.”

Her brows lifted. “Why not?”

A slow smile tugged at his lips. The kind that meant trouble. “Hmm. Let’s make a bet.”

Her interest piqued immediately. “A bet?”

“A swim bet,” he said, nodding toward the pool.

“And if you win?” she asked, folding her arms.

“We do the duet.”

“And if you lose?”

“I forget about it completely.”

She studied him for a moment, suspicious. “You’re too confident. There’s a catch.”

He stepped closer, closing the small space between them. The pool lights reflected in his eyes as he lowered his voice.

“I want one more thing if I win.”

She swallowed. “What?”

He leaned in just enough that she could feel his breath, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.

“A kiss.”

Her heart skipped. She scoffed, trying to mask it. “You’re unbelievable.”

“But you didn’t say no,” he said softly.

She looked at the water, then back at him, lips pressing into a reluctant smile. “Fine. One lap.”

His grin widened, victorious already. “Try to keep up.”

She let go of his hand and kicked off her shoes. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Sky.”

Sky slid his fingers under the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head in one smooth motion, tossing it aside without a second glance.

Nancy rolled her eyes but laughed softly as she unbuttoned her jeans, stepping out of them and leaving her in just her long top that skimmed her thighs.

The air brushed against her legs, cool and thrilling.

She looked at him, chin lifted.
“Ready?”

He moved closer to the edge of the pool, eyes dark, focused.
“Always.”

They crouched into position, side by side, toes curling against the stone.

“Ready,” he said.

She inhaled.

“Set—”

“Go.”

They dove in at the same time.

The water swallowed them whole. Nancy kicked hard, arms slicing through the pool as she pushed forward, hair floating behind her like ink.

She could hear the muted rush of water, feel the burn in her muscles as she fought to keep pace.

Sky was fast. Controlled. Every movement deliberate, powerful, like he was born for this.

She reached the end just as he touched the edge first.

He surfaced, breathless but grinning.

“Yes,” He said, pushing his wet hair back. “I win.”

She reached the edge a second later, glaring up at him. “Lucky bastard.”

She laughed despite herself.

He stretched out his hand. She hesitated for half a second before taking it. The moment he pulled her up, her feet slipped slightly, and she crashed straight into his body.

Warm.

His hands instinctively steadied her, fingers pressing into her waist.

Her breath hitched.

“I guess I have to do the duet then,” She said softly.

“Yup.” His voice dropped. “And don’t forget what I asked for.”

She tilted her head, pretending to think.

“It’s not nice that you get two rewards. I should—”

He didn’t let her finish.

His lips claimed hers, sudden and intense.

The kiss was nothing like the teasing tension before. It was deep, hungry, overwhelming.

His hand slid up her back, fingers threading into her wet hair as he backed her against the cool wall beside the pool.

Her hands clutched at his shoulders, the contrast of his warm skin and the cold stone behind her sending a shiver through her.

He broke the kiss only to trail his lips along her jaw, down her neck, slow and deliberate. Her head fell back against the wall as a soft sound slipped past her lips before she could stop it.

His hand slid lower along her back, fingers pressing gently but possessively as his lips lingered at the curve of her neck.

Then his phone rang.

He ignored it, mouth still at her neck, his thumb brushing against her waist as if he could pretend the interruption wasn’t real.

She inhaled sharply and placed a hand on his chest, stopping him.

“Answer your call,” she said, voice soft but firm.

He groaned, forehead dropping against her shoulder for a brief second before pulling away.

He reached for his phone, irritation written all over his face as he answered.

“What?” he said.

Billie’s voice spilled through the speaker, listing off his schedule for tomorrow, meetings, rehearsals, and an interview he couldn’t dodge.

Sky responded in short answers, eyes never leaving Nancy as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching him with a faint smile.

“Yeah. I know. Send it to me,” he said before ending the call.

He slipped the phone back onto the pavement and stepped toward her again, hands already reaching—

She held up a finger. “Uh-uh.”

He stopped. “What now?”

“I’m hungry,” she said plainly.

He stared at her for a second, then let out a breathless laugh, running a hand through his damp hair. “You’re serious.”

“Very,” She nodded. “All that swimming burned calories.”

He shook his head, amused despite himself. “You really know how to ruin a moment.”

She stepped closer, rising on her toes to press a quick, teasing kiss to his lips. “Or save it for later.”

His hands settled at her waist, gentler now, eyes dark but smiling. “Fine. Food first.”

She grinned. “Good choice.”

—-

Nancy stood by the window, wrapped in one of Sky’s oversized shirts, the fabric still carrying his warmth.

She ran the towel through her hair slowly, mind elsewhere, when her phone vibrated.

Danzo.

She answered. “Did she talk yet?”

There was a pause on the line, then Danzo’s voice. “Yes, ma’am. Took a lot to break her. She finally gave it up.”

Nancy’s jaw tightened. “And?”

“It was her boyfriend,” he continued. “The one pulling the strings. His name is Kai Jaguar.”

The towel stilled in her hands.

“Kai,” she repeated quietly.

Martin’s voice cut in over the line. “Ma’am, he’s Yakuza. They’re mobilizing for a war. We can’t just snatch him without consequences.”

Nancy’s reflection in the glass looked calm, almost detached, but her eyes had gone cold.

“Danzo,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Martin.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t need to.

“Forty-eight hours,” Nancy said. “You have forty-eight hours to find Kai Jaguar. I don’t care where he is. I don’t care who he is. I want him brought to me.”

There was silence, then, in unison—“Understood, ma’am.”

She ended the call.

Nancy lowered the phone and exhaled slowly, fingers curling around it until her knuckles whitened.

________
[𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞]

Romeo sat behind the wide mahogany desk, flipping through documents with a detached focus. This office wasn’t somewhere he came often anymore.

Most days, his secretary handled everything.

“Miss, you can’t go in—” The security guard protested.

The door flew open anyway.

Rias walked in, breath slightly uneven, eyes sharp with urgency.

Romeo looked up.

For a brief second, the room stilled.

Their eyes met. Hers were full of questions, worry barely restrained.

His expression didn’t change, but a different emotion passed through his gaze before he looked away, turning to his secretary instead.

“Handle the negotiation,” He said calmly. “Oversee the business deal and send the final memo to my email. I’ll approve it there.”

“Yes, boss.” The secretary replied immediately, gathering her files.

She walked out, closing the door behind her and leaving the two of them alone.

Romeo finally leaned back and looked at Rias.

“I thought I said I’d pick you up.” He said, his tone low, controlled.

“You’re going to a war in Italy?” She asked, ignoring his comment.

“Who told you?”

“Grandpa,” She replied. “So it’s true?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stood, grabbed his jacket, and walked past her.

“Let’s go,” He said, already heading for the door.

Rias hesitated for half a second, then turned and followed him without another word.

______
[Restaurant]

They were seated in a quiet, upscale restaurant not far from the office district. Soft lighting, muted conversations, the clink of cutlery.

Romeo barely glanced at the menu before closing it.

“I’ll have the ribeye, medium rare,” he said to the waiter. “No sauce. Whiskey.”

Rias hesitated, still staring at the menu. “Uh… pasta primavera and a glass of red wine, please.”

The waiter nodded and walked away.

The silence that followed didn’t last long.

“So,” Rias began, folding her hands together on the table, “what is this war about?”

Romeo leaned back in his chair. “It’s not something you should bother yourself with.”

“But it’s still really dangerous, right?” she pressed. “What’s really all this stuff about the Yakuza? Grandpa isn’t telling me everything.”

“That’s because it’s better you don’t know,” He replied flatly. “Just stay out of it.”

She frowned, lips pressing together. “What if I join the family Yakuza?”

That finally got a reaction.

Romeo looked at her, then let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

“You? In the Yakuza?” He scoffed lightly. “Oh please, Rias. You’re a weakling. Don’t even think about it. I don’t plan on babysitting you.”

Her expression fell instantly. “Romeo…”

“It’s just a war,” He continued, unfazed. “Worse things have already happened.”

She stared at him, searching his face like she might find something softer underneath the indifference. “You talk about it like it’s nothing.”

“It is nothing to you,” He said. “And that’s how it should stay.”

Her fingers twitched on the table, anxiety creeping back in. “Promise me nothing’s going to happen to you.”

He didn’t respond.

“Romeo,” she said again, quieter this time.

She reached across the table and held his hand.

He froze—not pulling away, not squeezing back either. He simply looked down at their joined hands, his expression cold as he looked at her, telling her to pull her hand away.

But she didn’t listen.

“Promise me,” She pouted slightly, eyes shining with worry.

He sighed, finally lifting his gaze to hers.

“It’s not like I’m going to die. Stop making a fuss.” He said, retreating his hand.

“That’s not a promise,” she muttered.

“You’ll live longer if you stop imagining worst-case scenarios,” he replied.

She didn’t let go of his hand. “I just don’t want to lose you.”

“You’re stressing yourself out over things you can’t change.” He said, sliding his hand away.

Rias leaned back in her chair, unconvinced, worry still etched across her face.

“Back to why we’re here,” He said calmly. “When are you returning to Mexico?”

“Probably in a few days,” Rias replied. “I’m not done sorting my transfer papers to another hospital.”

He nodded once,.

Silence settled between them again, heavier this time.

“So… can I ask a question?” She said softly.

“What is it?”

She hesitated, fingers tightening around her napkin.

“If things went a little different between us… if I wasn’t so mean to you—” her voice wavered just slightly, “—do you think there’s a chance we would’ve still been together?”

“No.”

The word landed hard.

Her lips parted, breath catching.

“But why?” she asked quickly, forcing the words out before she lost courage. “Sorry if my question is going to make you angry, I just… I want to know.”

“It doesn’t matter, Rias,” He replied flatly. “I just don’t have interest in you the way you want. I wanted a divorce because Bianca and I got together.”

That was cruel enough.

Then he added, almost casually, “The same thing would’ve happened even if we were never married.”

Rias felt it hit her chest like a dull blade.

A forced, fragile smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“I see,” She said, nodding lightly. “So… you won’t miss me?”

“Hmmm.”

Romeo leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. Then, unexpectedly, his hand reached out.

His fingers slid into her hair, slow and deliberate, stroking it lightly as if testing how much control she still had around him.

Rias froze.

Her breath hitched. Their faces were suddenly inches apart. She could smell him, feel the warmth of his skin, the familiarity that hurt more than distance ever could.

Her throat tightened as she swallowed.

His thumb brushed near her temple, intimate but empty.

“Give me a reason,” He murmured, eyes locked onto hers, dark and unflinching, “Why I should miss you?”

The question wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t curious.

It was a challenge.

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. She searched his face for something, softness, anything—but there was nothing there to hold onto.

Just Romeo.

Slowly, she reached up and removed his hand from her hair, placing it back on the table between them.

Her smile stayed, but it trembled.

“You shouldn’t,” She said quietly. “I guess that’s the answer.”

“Okay.” He replied without looking at her.

_______
[𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 – 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲 – 6pm]

The cruise ship docked and the Yakuzas and their men all trooped out. Every clan followed the coordinated plan to disperse to the islands.

Every other clan, including Kai and his men, climbed into armed cars and drove off.

Hunter, Tiago, Romeo, and Bianca headed out of the ship along with their men, moving efficiently toward the waiting vehicles.

“So we’re heading towards the main island. How far is it?” Hunter asked.

“About 15 minutes,” Bianca replied, glancing at her watch.

“Let’s get going then,” Tiago said, sliding into the driver’s seat.

“Sure, alright men,” Hunter said, checking the men around him. “Get ready for a brutal war. Keep your eyes open, stay in formation, and remember your targets. This isn’t a drill.”

Bianca leaned toward Romeo as they walked.

“Romeo…”

“Yes. Is there a problem?” He asked, looking at her.

“Derek probably suspects that I might be fooling him, so it’s better we level up our offense strike.”

“What do you mean?” He frowned.

She leaned into his ear and whispered her plan. His eyes narrowed and he nodded in agreement.

“Hunter,” Romeo said into his comm, his voice steady.

“Yes?” Hunter responded immediately.

“You and Tiago should lead the men in taking down their men. Bianca and I will go after Derek and Matteo.”

“Alright,” Hunter said, gripping the steering wheel, ready to move.

Romeo and Bianca moved toward their car, the men following behind. Engines roared to life as they drove off the seaport, heading straight for the main island.

—
[Black Fang Clan — Main Island]

The guards on patrol stopped as a report came in.

“Boss Derek, our men from the seaport just gave us intel. As you suspected, the Yakuzas are here.”

“That bitch. Gather our men and head to the seaport. Make sure none of the clans reach the island and—”

Before Derek could finish, a deafening explosion ripped through the main gates.

The walls and fences around the compound were blown apart, sending debris flying in all directions.

“What was that?!” Derek shouted into his phone.

Gunfire erupted immediately. Screams rang out as the shooting came even harder, then abruptly stopped.

Through the smoke, Romeo stepped out, Bianca at his side. Their expressions were cold, focused.

Bianca’s gun was steady, her eyes scanning the area. The guards at the main gate were all down. Blood pooled across the concrete, glinting in the evening light.

“Are you in?” Hunter’s voice came through the earbud.

“Yes. Good job.” Romeo replied.

“Sure, you guys focus on that father and son. We’ll take out all the men on the island.” Hunter instructed.

“Okay,” Romeo said.

________
[Inside]

“What was that noise all about?!” Matteo yelled as he stormed out of his suite, fury written all over his face.

A man rushed toward him, breath uneven. “Don Matteo, we received intel that the Yakuzas are on the island. They’re already carrying out a massacre.”

Matteo’s eyes widened. His jaw tightened.

“Derek!!” he shouted.

Almost immediately, Derek appeared at the far end of the hallway, a gun already in his hand. His expression was dark, tense, veins standing out on his neck.

Matteo marched toward him.

“I told you!” He snapped. “I told you that woman was playing you! You suspected she was fooling you and you still let her beat you to it!”

Derek didn’t respond right away. His grip on the gun tightened as distant gunshots echoed through the compound.

“They’re already inside,” Matteo continued angrily. “Our men are dropping one after the other. This is on you.”

Derek cocked his gun, the sound loud and final in the hallway. He turned sharply to the men gathering behind him.

“Listen carefully,” Derek said coldly. “You move out and kill every single one of their men on this island. No mercy and I want no mistakes.”

The men nodded quickly, fear and adrenaline driving them.

Derek’s eyes burned as he continued, his voice lowering. “Romeo and Bianca are mine. I’ll handle them myself.”

The men hesitated for half a second, then rushed off, weapons raised, boots pounding down the halls.

Matteo grabbed Derek’s arm. “You better not screw this up.”

Derek shoved him off and started walking forward, his steps heavy, controlled, angry.

“F+k you, Bianca!!” Derek growled through clenched teeth as he moved outside the compound, gun raised, ready to meet them head-on.

_______
{•2𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝}

The island was nothing but steel and concrete. Warehouses squatting low against the sea wind, their bellies packed with guns, crates of ammunition, sealed containers marked for shipment.

Gunfire cracked across the docks.

“Boss, they’re storming in rapidly,” One of Derek’s men said, breathless, peering past a stack of crates.

The head man didn’t flinch. “Inform everyone to hold them off. Get the armories loaded into the trucks and move now. Everything goes to the main island.”

“Yes, boss.”

Then the gates blew inward.

Kai came through first.

His men fanned out behind him like they’d rehearsed this a hundred times, boots splashing through shallow puddles, muzzles flashing as they answered fire with precision.

A man rushed from the left aisle. Kai pivoted, fired twice. The body hit the concrete before the echo finished bouncing off the warehouse walls.

Bullets tore into metal shelving. Sparks skidded across the floor. One of Derek’s men tried to flank through a narrow corridor between containers.

Kai dropped low, rolled behind a forklift, came up firing. The man went down screaming, clutching his leg.

Another group rushed forward. Kai stepped into them instead of backing away. He swung the rifle stock into the first man’s face, felt the impact, then drove his knee hard into the second man’s stomach, folding him.

When the distance widened, Kai raised his gun and fired once. The shot dropped the man instantly.

He shifted his stance, reloaded, and kept moving forward as more men came at him.

—-

Outside, one of the trucks pulled away from the loading bay, tires screeching as it headed straight for the gates.

Kai noticed it immediately.
He stepped out from cover and raised his rifle despite the gunfire around him. He aimed straight at the driver’s window and fired.

The bullet went through the glass and hit the driver in the head. The truck veered off course and crashed into the gate, metal crumpling as it came to a dead stop.

The engine sputtered and shut down.
Kai lowered his rifle.

“Sorry, big guy,” he said. “But you ain’t leaving here.”

He turned back toward his men as more movement echoed from the warehouses.

“Check every warehouse,” Kai ordered. “Collect the weapons and make sure nothing leaves this island.”

“Yes, boss.”

•••
Danzo and Martin moved through the island with Kai’s men, blending in as gunfire echoed between the warehouses. They weren’t here for the war.

Their job was Kai.

Nancy had given them forty‑eight hours. And it would be pathetic if someone like Kai died here before she got her hands on him. Their orders were clear: keep him alive, and get him back to Tokyo.

Danzo kept his eyes on Kai as he barked orders and moved ahead of his men, always too close to the front.

They followed as Kai pushed deeper into the island, shots cracking nearby, men dropping on both sides. Danzo stayed close enough to react, far enough not to be noticed.

Martin leaned in, voice low.
“When do we nab him?”

Danzo watched Kai for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

“Hold on,” he said. “I’ll think of something.”

_______
[𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝]

“The main building is up ahead,” Bianca said calmly, eyes forward, gun steady in her grip.

“Derek will be there. He’s probably regrouping his troops. Tiago and Hunter are already hunting down their men. If they find Matteo before we do, the order is kill on sight.” She said.

“Okay.” Romeo stopped walking and turned to her. “Head back to the mainland.”

She looked at him like she hadn’t heard right. “What?”

“Head to the mainland, Bianca. I don’t want you on this island.”

Her jaw tightened. “We came here for a war and you’re asking me to leave?”

“Yes.” His voice hardened. “I’m not asking as your boyfriend. I’m ordering you as your boss.”

She stepped closer, eyes sharp.

“Okay then… boss.” Her tone was calm, but dangerous. “It’s also my duty as your right-hand woman to protect you. I’m not letting you go into this without me. That’s not happening.”

“Bianca, I’m not asking for your opinion,” He snapped.

“Neither am I,” she shot back.

She moved in front of him slightly, lowering her voice.

“I know Derek. I know how he thinks. I know his layouts, his tactics. I’m your best chance of putting him down fast. I’ll be fine.”

Romeo held her gaze for a long second, jaw tight.

“Don’t you dare die on me, Bianca,” He said quietly.

She gave a short smirk and turned away, already walking forward. “You worry too much.”

Immediately, Gunshots rang out.

Bianca reacted instantly. She didn’t even look back. She shifted her stance, raised her weapon, and fired three clean shots toward a raised platform above them.

Three bodies dropped almost immediately, hitting the ground hard and lifeless.

She hadn’t needed to see them. She’d read the angle the bullets rained from.

Silence followed.

“So… you actually fooled me, huh?”

The voice echoed above them.

Bianca and Romeo looked up.

Derek stood on the platform, gun in hand, fury written all over his face. Then he jumped down, landing a few feet away, boots scraping against concrete.

“Derek,” Bianca said, raising her gun, stepping in beside Romeo without hesitation.

“I should’ve figured it out earlier,” Derek sneered. “That you were a snake.”

His eyes shifted to Romeo.

“And so this is the mysterious leader of the Ryukai.”

“You’re Derek? I’m not impressed at all.” Romeo scoffed.

Derek laughed darkly.

“Pleasure to finally meet you, Romeo Dragoni.” His gaze snapped back to Bianca, filled with rage.

“But I hope you both know you’re not leaving this place alive.”

He raised his gun slightly.

“Especially you,” He growled at her. “You bitchy-ass woman.”

.

.

.
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𝐓.𝐁.𝐂.