them was thick with tension, the distant sound of their pursuers still echoing off the walls. The world seemed to slo

a mix of disbelief and confusion.

g far removed from the carefree friendship they had once shared.

urgent. "You're not the only one trying to uncover secrets, Tony. B

st Dorian. Last he knew, Dorian had disappeared from the scene, vanishing into the shadows of the

s tucked into his waistband. He wasn't sure if he should be reaching for it or not, but his instincts

re dealing with are dangerous, and you've got no idea who you're really up against. If you keep going down this path

raps of information from unreliable sources. But to trust Dorian now? It seemed too risky. Tony

his voice low. "Because I know you didn't just come ba

. The rest of the world's too busy fighting over scraps, and I'm just trying to make sure I get

right about one thing: he was in over his head. The chase, the gunshot wound to Lena-everything pointed toward a

h with frustration. "But don't think for

s voice. "Just remember, you asked for help. I

urposeful. Tony glanced at Lena, who was leaning against the wall, still struggling t

move," Tony ordere

f the wall. Her hand was pressed tightly to h

ng?" she asked, h

ays. The city seemed quieter now, the only sounds their footsteps echoing on the pavement. It was a s

ndescript van parked near a darkened street corner. It was the kind of vehicle anyone could overlook,

ewhere safe," Dorian said,

the door behind him. The interior of the van was dark, except for the faint glow of a

ger just about finding Jason. It was about something bigger-something far more dangerous. The pie

suspicion. "If you're really here to help, then tel

on the road ahead. For a moment, he didn't answer, as if weighing

bigger. They have their hands in everything-from illegal deals to high-profile political corrupti

ust personal. This was a war-a war that had been brewing for yea

e was a mix of disbelief and anger. "Yo

dn't choose to be part of it. But I'm trying to make it r

dden movement sent them all jerking forward, but Dorian's hands we

gan, but Dorian's voice

wn. They

react, and a figure appeared at the en

. You're not

of the streetlamp. Tony's hand tightened around the gun at his side, but his eyes remained locked on

ing here?" Tony spat, his

Tony. Looks like you've got yourself tangled up in something bigger than you can handle." He stepped into th

e the wound still throbbed. Jason's gaze flickered to her, a look

ame tasted foreign on his tongue. "S

nsed. "Stay the h

e of you do." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "This is bigger than

nstead, he gritted his teeth and spoke through clenched jaws. "I'm done with yo

e kind of game, Tony? It's not. It's survival. And I'm offering you a way out.

een one of us. You're just a traito

y anymore, Tony. This is about power. And power doesn't play by the rules. The peopl

a twisted game, Tony wasn't sure. But the words struck a chord with him. He had seen the ruthlessness firsthand, fel

keeping his voice low, trying to mask t

stop trying to take down the whole damn system on your own. You need allies. And right n

But there was a part of him-an uncomfortable part-that knew Jason's words weren't entirely of

y finally asked, his voi

nd of hero? You're wrong. But I know who the real enemy is, Tony. And I can help you get to them

autious but laced with uncertainty. "Who are we rea

ugh for Tony to see a flicker of something-something dark and painful-beneath the

think. They're entrenched in every part of this city-its government, its businesses, its law enforcem

's words sank in. "Why di

ays been too damn idealistic. Thinking you could fix everything on your own.

to argue, but Dorian's

w mirror, as if scanning for potential threats. "If you two want to kill each other

ption, but he didn't say anything. I

his tone steady but heavy with meaning.

g. He couldn't afford to trust either of them-not fully. But right n

ned. "We work together. But don't think fo

witched in amu

ind him that they were in this together. He looked over at

she said quietly, her voice carrying a q

es hardening. "Yeah