The thunder rumbled in the heavens as Theo stepped forward, ignoring the soldiers closing in, ignoring the rich drops of rain bouncing off his leather trench. His piercing green eyes remained fixed on Marco — his friend… his brother… the man who'd stood by him through years of danger and loyalty — now a traitor.
"It was you… all this time." Theo said quietly, a rich thread of disbelief woven through his words. "I treated you like family."
Marco remained silent for a moment, letting the thunder fill the space between them. Then a dramatic, bitter laugh escaped him. "Family… loyalty… those are promises made by weak men."
Ava pressed close against Theo, pistol in hand, ready to destroy anyone who tried to harm him — or their future.
"It's not weakness." Theo whispered, rich rage overtaking disbelief. "It's the only thing that kept us alive."
With a dramatic movement, Marco raised his own gun — a showdown between two men who were once closer than blood. The heavens opened, rain pouring harder, thunderclapping above them.
For a moment, time seemed to slow — rich, dramatic silence fell — a showdown not just for power… but for their very souls.