Carrick sprinted through the burning docks, weaving between debris and gunfire. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was razor-sharp. The roar of bullets was deafening, the scent of gunpowder thick in the air.

Maximus was right behind him, his dual pistols blazing as he took down enemies with brutal efficiency. Jack and Elias flanked from the left, their movements calculated, lethal.

From the loudspeakers, Domino's voice dripped with amusement.

"Run, little brother. Let's see how far you get before I put a bullet in your skull."

Carrick ducked behind a metal container, reloading his weapon with practiced ease. He tapped his earpiece.

"Alex, status?"

Alex's voice came through, sharp and urgent. "You need to get the fuck out of there! They've got you surrounded on all sides. This wasn't just a trap-it's a fucking execution."

Carrick exhaled. His brother wasn't just trying to kill him. He was making a statement.

Maximus crouched beside him, peering over the crate. "We're boxed in. No exits."

Jack's voice came through the comms. "I count at least twenty-five of them. More incoming."

Carrick smirked, adrenaline surging. "Good. That's twenty-five less cockroaches we have to deal with later."

Maximus grinned, pulling a grenade from his vest. "I like the way you think."

With a flick of his wrist, he lobbed the grenade toward the biggest cluster of enforcers.

BOOM!

The explosion ripped through the docks, sending bodies flying. Screams filled the air, and the brief chaos bought them seconds.

Carrick took full advantage. He moved like a phantom, firing shot after shot, dropping enforcers before they even knew where he was.

Lila's sniper rifle cracked in the distance. Another body hit the ground.

Jack and Elias advanced, their assault rifles cutting down enemies with ruthless precision.

Domino's mocking laughter echoed through the speakers.

"Oh, Carrick... is this really the best you can do?"

Carrick ducked as a bullet whizzed past his ear, barely missing him. He gritted his teeth.

"Shut the fuck up and come fight me yourself, Domino."

Domino chuckled. "Why would I waste my time? You're going to be dead in about... ten minutes."

Carrick wiped blood from his cheek. "We'll see about that."

Maximus grunted as a bullet grazed his arm. "We need to push forward. If we stay here, we're dead."

Carrick nodded. His mind raced, calculating their options. They couldn't retreat. They were outnumbered and outgunned.

Which meant...

They had to make the enemy fear them more than death itself.

Carrick tapped his earpiece. "Alex. Turn off their comms. I want Domino deaf and blind."

Alex hesitated. "That'll take me a few minutes."

"Then work faster."

Carrick turned to Maximus. "We need to split them up. Force them into smaller fights."

Maximus nodded. "Divide and conquer. I like it."

Jack loaded another magazine. "Then let's fucking do it."

The fight turned brutal.

Carrick moved like a demon, striking fast and without hesitation. Every shot was calculated, every movement designed to cripple and kill.

Maximus was a storm of destruction, tearing through enforcers with his combat knife, his pistol finishing off anyone who got too close.

Jack and Elias fought with the cold efficiency of seasoned mercenaries, pushing forward with unrelenting aggression.

The enforcers began to panic.

They had expected a slaughter.

Instead, they were the ones dying.

Carrick grabbed a wounded enforcer by the collar, slamming him against a container. The man gasped, blood dripping from his mouth.

Carrick pressed his gun against the man's chest. "Where's Domino?"

The enforcer spat blood, laughing weakly. "You're already dead, Gale. You just don't know it yet."

Carrick pulled the trigger.

The man slumped to the ground.

Maximus appeared beside him, wiping sweat from his brow. "Still no sign of him?"

Carrick's eyes burned. "No. He's hiding."

Maximus grinned. "Typical coward."

Just then, Alex's voice came through the comms.

"Done. Their comms are down. They're blind."

Carrick smirked. "Perfect."

Jack's voice crackled in. "More of them are retreating. We broke their line."

Maximus chuckled. "Guess they're finally realizing they fucked up."

Carrick exhaled, adrenaline still pumping through his veins. He scanned the area, eyes searching for any sign of his brother.

Nothing.

Then, Domino's voice rang out, not through comms, but from the shadows.

"You think you've won?"

Carrick's entire body tensed. His grip on his gun tightened.

From the smoke, Domino Gale stepped forward.

He was dressed in a sleek black suit, his movements calm, composed. A golden revolver gleamed in his hand.

Carrick's eyes narrowed. "Finally decided to come out and play?"

Domino smirked. "I just wanted to see how far you'd get."

Maximus rolled his shoulders. "And?"

Domino cocked his head. "Not bad. But not good enough."

Carrick stepped forward, gun aimed. "No more hiding, Domino. You and me. Right now."

Domino sighed dramatically, then smiled. "You always were impatient, little brother."

Then, faster than Carrick expected..

Domino fired.

Carrick barely dodged, the bullet grazing his side. Pain flared, but he didn't stop. He lunged forward, firing three shots.

Domino twisted, dodging two, the third ripping through his coat.

For the first time, Domino's smirk faltered.

Maximus grinned. "Not so untouchable, are you?"

Domino's eyes darkened. "You talk too much."

He pulled something from his pocket..

A detonator.

Carrick's blood ran cold.

"Shit."

Domino smiled. "Game over."

Then he pressed the button.

And everything exploded.

The explosion ripped through the docks with a deafening BOOM! The force sent Carrick hurtling backward, slamming into a stack of crates. His ears rang, the world spinning in a haze of fire and smoke.

For a moment, all he could hear was the distant roar of flames and the muffled screams of the dying. His body ached, his head throbbing.

Then.. Gunfire.

Carrick forced his eyes open, vision blurred. Through the smoke, he could make out figures moving-some running, some crawling, some lying motionless in pools of blood.

Maximus was already on his feet, dragging an injured Jack behind cover. His face was smeared with ash, a gash bleeding at his temple.

"Carrick!" Maximus's voice was urgent. "Can you move?"

Carrick gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. Pain lanced through his ribs. "Barely," he muttered.

Jack groaned, clutching his side. "Fucking bastard had a detonator the whole time..."

"Of course, he did." Maximus scowled, peering through the smoke. "Where the hell is Domino?"

Carrick's pulse quickened. Domino.

He scanned the wreckage, but his brother was nowhere to be seen.

"He ran," Carrick spat, fists clenching. "Like the coward he is."

Maximus wiped the blood from his face. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."

Just then, Alex's panicked voice crackled through the earpiece.

"Carrick! You need to move, NOW!"

Carrick's stomach twisted. "What is it?"

"Domino's got reinforcements inbound, two armored convoys, plus a goddamn chopper!"

Carrick's mind raced. They were already badly outnumbered, if those reinforcements arrived, they'd be annihilated.

Maximus cursed. "We need an exit plan."

Carrick turned to Jack. "How bad are you?"

Jack let out a dry chuckle. "Oh, you know. Just got blown the fuck up. I'll live."

Carrick glanced around. Lila's sniper fire had stopped. Either she was repositioning, or..

"Lila, do you copy?" Carrick pressed his earpiece.

Silence.

Then, static.. followed by a weak voice.

"...Carrick..."

His blood ran cold. "Lila, where are you?"

"South side... took a hit... leg's fucked..."

Carrick clenched his jaw. "Hold on. We're coming."

Maximus grabbed his shoulder. "Carrick, we don't have time.."

"I don't leave my people behind."

Maximus studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then let's move fast."

They sprinted through the wreckage, dodging flames and bodies. The air was thick with gunpowder and death.

Carrick spotted Lila slumped against a collapsed metal beam, her rifle discarded beside her. Blood pooled beneath her leg, her face pale.

Carrick dropped to his knees. "Shit, Lila.."

"Don't," she breathed, her lips trembling. "I'm not dying. Just... need a hand."

Carrick nodded, gripping her under the arms. "Jack, help me."

Jack, wincing, crouched beside him. Together, they hoisted Lila up.

Maximus's voice cut through the chaos. "We got company!"

Carrick turned. Silhouettes emerged through the smoke.. armed men, closing in fast.

"Fucking hell," Jack grunted.

Carrick pulled his pistol, leveling it at the advancing figures. "You guys keep moving. I'll.."

A gunshot rang out.

One of the approaching men collapsed.

Carrick's eyes snapped toward the shooter.

Standing atop a wrecked container, rifle in hand, was Victor Alistair.

His sharp blue eyes met Carrick's, lips curving into a smirk. "Looks like I got here just in time."

Carrick exhaled, relief flickering in his chest. "Couldn't have picked a better moment."

Victor hopped down, his men fanning out beside him. "Got word that Domino was pulling some underhanded shit. Figured you might need backup."

Carrick grinned. "You figured right."

Maximus raised a brow. "I assume you brought a way out?"

Victor nodded toward the docks. "I've got three speedboats waiting. But we need to move now."

Carrick didn't hesitate. "Then let's go."

The battle wasn't over.

As they made their way toward the docks, Domino's men surged forward.

Bullets tore through the air. Maximus led the charge, his movements precise and merciless.

Jack fought with reckless fury, his injuries forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Victor's men covered their retreat, their weapons singing death.

Carrick carried Lila, his arms burning with exertion. "We're almost there!"

The boats came into view. Sleek. Fast. Their engines humming like predators waiting to pounce.

"GO!" Victor shouted.

Carrick reached the first boat, carefully setting Lila down. Jack collapsed beside her, breathing hard.

Maximus hopped in next, his pistol still aimed at the enemy.

Victor was the last to board, barking orders at his men.

Then, just as the last of them leaped into the boats..

A voice cut through the night.

"You think this is over, Carrick?"

Carrick turned.

Standing at the edge of the burning docks was Domino.

His black suit was stained with blood and ash. His golden revolver gleamed.

And his smile was pure, unfiltered hatred.

Carrick locked eyes with him. "Oh, trust me, brother."

The boat's engines roared to life.

"This is just the beginning."

Domino tilted his head, a slow smirk curling his lips. "Then you better watch your back."

Carrick didn't blink. "You should worry about yours."

The boat shot forward, cutting through the dark waters.

As the burning docks faded into the distance, Carrick exhaled.

The battle was over.

But the war had only begun.

The speedboat cut through the dark waters like a blade, leaving behind the burning docks and the bloodshed. The salty wind whipped against Carrick's face, but he barely felt it. His mind was still back there, on Domino, on the battle, on the war that had just begun.

Lila groaned beside him, her face pale, sweat slicking her forehead. Her injured leg was wrapped in a torn piece of Jack's shirt, but the bleeding hadn't fully stopped.

"Stay with me, Lila," Carrick said, squeezing her hand.

She smirked weakly. "Not dying today, boss. Still got too many people to shoot."

Maximus, sitting at the front of the boat, watched the horizon, his eyes sharp. "We need to get her to a medic. Fast."

Victor nodded from the driver's seat. "I've got a guy. Discreet. Won't ask questions."

Carrick glanced at him. "Appreciate it, Victor."

Victor smirked. "You can pay me back by making sure Domino dies screaming."

Carrick's grip on the boat's railing tightened. "Oh, I intend to."

Jack, who had been silent up until now, chuckled darkly. "Good. Because that bastard isn't gonna stop. Not after tonight."

"Let him come," Carrick muttered. His voice was low, cold. "I'll be ready."

The boat sped toward the city's outskirts, away from the main ports, toward a hidden dock Victor's men controlled. As the fire from the battle faded into the distance, the weight on Carrick's shoulders only grew heavier.

This wasn't victory.

It was only survival.

They arrived at a secluded marina, where Victor's men were already waiting. A black SUV idled nearby, its engine rumbling softly.

A burly man in a leather jacket stepped forward as they docked. "Got your medic inside," he said to Victor. "She's ready."

Carrick helped Lila onto the dock, her arm slung over his shoulders. She winced but gritted her teeth.

"Next time," she muttered, "I want a raise."

Carrick smirked. "Survive, and we'll talk."

Victor led them to the SUV, where an older woman with graying hair and sharp eyes was waiting in the backseat. She wore a plain black dress, her hands already gloved.

"You're the patient?" she asked Lila.

"Unfortunately."

The woman.. Dr. Yelena, according to Victor, gestured. "Get in. I'll patch her up."

Carrick carefully helped Lila inside, and Yelena immediately got to work, unwrapping the makeshift bandage. She clicked her tongue.

"Bullet grazed the femur. You're lucky, no artery damage. But you're not walking properly for a few weeks."

Lila exhaled. "Guess I'll be on sniper duty full-time, then."

"More like bed rest," Yelena corrected, shooting her a glare.

Carrick shut the door, giving Lila one last glance before stepping away. He turned to Maximus and Victor.

"We need to talk."

Victor motioned toward a nearby warehouse. "Inside. It's secure."

The warehouse was dimly lit, with crates stacked against the walls. The smell of oil and steel lingered in the air.

Carrick stood in the center, Maximus to his right, Victor leaning against a table across from him. Jack was still outside, keeping watch.

"This wasn't just a battle," Carrick said, voice low. "It was a message."

Victor folded his arms. "Domino's not going to sit back and lick his wounds. He'll hit back. Harder."

Maximus nodded. "And next time, he won't just send foot soldiers."

Carrick exhaled slowly. He knew what this meant. The Gale Family had ruled the underworld for years, not just with money and power, but with fear.

And now, Carrick had given them something they hadn't had in a long time.

A real threat.

Victor pushed off the table. "We need to strike first."

Carrick looked at him. "I agree. But we can't just react. We need a plan. A real one."

Maximus smirked. "You have something in mind?"

Carrick's eyes darkened. "I do."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a flash drive, tossing it onto the table. Victor picked it up, raising an eyebrow.

"What's this?"

"Information," Carrick said. "Everything Alex hacked from the Gale family's servers before tonight's battle. Business records, offshore accounts, dirty deals."

Victor's smirk widened. "Well, well. Aren't you thorough?"

Carrick continued. "We won't win this war by just shooting our way through. We need to bleed them dry."

Maximus chuckled. "You want to cripple their empire before you burn it?"

"Exactly," Carrick confirmed. "If we hit their supply chains, their finances, their alliances, Domino won't just be fighting me. He'll be fighting his own people."

Victor tapped the flash drive against his palm, considering. "Smart. But this won't be easy."

Carrick met his gaze. "Nothing worth doing ever is."

A silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken agreement.

Then..

A buzzing sound broke the tension.

Victor pulled out his phone, frowning at the screen. His expression darkened.

"What?" Carrick asked.

Victor's grip tightened around the phone. "Domino just made his move."

Carrick's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Victor turned the screen toward him. It was a news article.

Carrick's stomach twisted as he read the headline:

"Prominent Businessman Zachary Gale Announces $10 Million Bounty on Notorious Criminal Aurum Zenith."

Carrick's blood ran cold.

His father.

This wasn't just a retaliation. It was a declaration of war.

Victor exhaled. "That's not just a bounty. That's a death sentence. Every mercenary, every assassin, every low-life in the country is going to be after you."

Maximus ran a hand through his hair. "Hell, even cops will take a shot at you for that kind of money."

Carrick clenched his fists. Zachary.

Of course, his father wouldn't sit idly by.

He wasn't just sending men after him.

He was turning the whole world against him.

Carrick's breathing slowed. His heartbeat steadied.

Then, he did something that caught both Victor and Maximus off guard.

He laughed.

A low, dark chuckle.

Maximus frowned. "What's so funny?"

Carrick's eyes gleamed with something dangerous.

"It's cute," he said. "He thinks I'm the one being hunted."

Victor smirked. "So... what's the next move?"

Carrick looked at them, his voice calm.

"We don't hide."

He picked up the flash drive and slipped it back into his pocket.

"We hunt."