There was a pause, and then he stepped into the light, his gun raised and aimed directly at my chest.
His expression was as cold and deadly as I remembered, but his eyes burned with a fury that made me grin.
“Gael,” he said, his voice low and even. “Should’ve figured you’d be here.”
“Miss me?” I taunted, spreading my arms wide. “I left you a trail of souvenirs. Thought it was only polite.”
“You’re a monster,” he spat.
“Guilty as charged,” I said, taking a step closer. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
His grip on the gun tightened, his finger hovering over the trigger. But he didn’t shoot. Not yet.
“Where are they?” he demanded. “Gabriel and Finn. What did you do to them?”
“Do to them?” I laughed, the sound bouncing off the brick walls. “I didn’t have to do anything. They’re better at running than I gave them credit for. Besides, you should be thanking me. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here now, would you?”
He didn’t answer, but his silence spoke volumes.
“You hate me, don’t you?” I said, taking another step forward. “For humiliating you. For getting under your skin. Admit it, hunter. You’ve been dreaming about this moment.”
“Shut up,” he snapped, his voice cracking just enough to make me smile.
“Make me.”
That did it. He lunged, closing the distance between us in an instant.
His fist connected with my jaw, and for a moment, I saw stars. But the pain only fueled my excitement.
I retaliated, driving my elbow into his ribs and throwing him against the wall.
He recovered quickly, his movements sharp and precise as he came at me again.
We fought like animals, the alley ringing with the sounds of fists and grunts and the occasional crack of bone.
He was good, better than I remembered, but I was better. Faster. Stronger.
Still, I couldn’t help but admire his determination. Toying with him was really icing on the cake.
Even as blood trickled down his temple and his breathing grew labored, he didn’t back down.
“You’re persistent,” I said, grabbing his wrist and twisting until he dropped his gun. “I’ll give you that.”
“Go to hell,” he growled, driving his knee into my stomach.
I staggered back, momentarily winded, but I recovered quickly.
“Been there,” I said, smirking as I wiped the blood from my lip. “Not a fan.”
He came at me again, but this time, I was ready. I caught him by the throat, slamming him against the wall.
“Enough,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You’re not going to win this, Asher. You know that.”
He glared at me, his chest heaving as he struggled against my grip.
But he didn’t look afraid. If anything, he looked more determined than ever.
“Do it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Kill me.”
