The warehouse loomed ahead, its rusted metal doors barely hanging onto their hinges. The scent of salt and oil clung to the damp air, mixing with the distant hum of waves crashing against the docks. Zara took a steadying breath, slipping a hand into her jacket pocket where she kept the small switchblade Noor had given her years ago. Just in case.
Rev was already moving, scanning the area with careful precision. His presence was steady, grounding, but it also made her pulse stutter in a way that had nothing to do with adrenaline. She ignored it. Now wasn't the time.
Noor was right behind her, her gaze flicking between the warehouse entrance and the shadows stretching across the lot. "I don't like this."
"You never do," Zara muttered, pushing forward.
Axel scoffed, trailing behind them. "Maybe because every time we follow one of your leads, someone ends up nearly dead?"
Zara shot him a glare over her shoulder. "Yet here you are."
Axel smirked. "What can I say? I like the thrill."
Rev suddenly held up a hand, silencing them. His expression darkened. "We're not alone."
Zara's body went rigid. She followed his gaze to a set of barely-visible footprints in the dirt near the entrance. Fresh.
Noor's fingers tightened around the wrench she always carried. "What's the plan?"
Zara didn't hesitate. "We go in quiet, see who else is inside, and get what we came for."
She pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit interior. The warehouse was bigger than she expected, shelves stacked high with forgotten cargo. The only source of light came from a few flickering overhead bulbs, casting long shadows across the concrete floor.
Rev moved ahead, his steps silent, his posture tense. Axel took the left, while Noor stuck close to Zara.
They weren't alone.
A faint scuffling sound echoed from deeper inside.
Zara's pulse quickened. She pressed herself against one of the shelves, signaling for the others to stay low.
Then—
A blur of movement.
Rev lunged forward just as a figure darted from the shadows. Zara caught a glimpse of dark clothing, a glint of metal—
Gun.
"Drop it!" Rev's voice was sharp, commanding.
The figure hesitated for a split second, then took off toward the back exit.
Zara moved instinctively. "Stop him!"
Rev was already in motion, sprinting after the intruder. Zara followed, her boots pounding against the floor. The figure crashed through the back door, disappearing into the night.
Zara burst outside just in time to see Rev tackle the guy to the ground. The scuffle was quick, ending with Rev pinning the stranger's arm behind his back.
"Who sent you?" Rev demanded.
The guy laughed, breathless. "You already know."
Zara stepped forward, narrowing her eyes. She recognized him. Not by name, but by the jagged scar running down his jaw. She'd seen him before—on the sidelines of races, watching from the shadows.
A hired informant.
Before she could ask anything, the guy smirked. "You think you're chasing the truth, but you're just running in circles."
Zara's stomach twisted.
"Who do you work for?" she pressed.
The guy's smile widened. "You'll see soon enough."
And then—
A sharp bang echoed through the night.
The guy flinched, eyes widening in shock. Blood bloomed across his chest.
A sniper.
Rev barely had time to shove Zara back before another shot rang out.
"Move!" he yelled.
Zara's breath hitched as they sprinted back toward the warehouse, adrenaline roaring through her veins. Noor and Axel were already inside, weapons drawn, scanning the perimeter.
"What the hell happened?" Noor demanded.
Rev slammed the door shut behind them. "Someone doesn't want us digging deeper."
Zara's fists clenched. The list. The bounty. The accident. Every thread was leading to something bigger, something dangerous.
And she wasn't going to stop until she unraveled it all.
Even if it meant stepping straight into the fire.