The steel door crashed inward under Kael’s boot, the clang reverberating through the warehouse as he stormed in, silenced pistol raised, his green eyes blazing with a fury that could consume cities. Seraphina sat chained to a metal chair beneath a bare bulb, her wrists bloodied, a bruise darkening her cheek, but her blue eyes were locked on Morello. Seeing her sent a surge of relief through Kael, chased by a tidal wave of rage.

Two goons spun toward him, guns half-drawn, while Morello dove behind a crate, his voice a slick taunt. “Viper, you’re a dead man!”

Kael didn’t flinch. His pistol snapped up, two silenced shots cracking the...