Silas glanced sideways at Lucien, voice smooth and amused.
"You can stay behind us or maybe give your stepbrother a lesson?"
His chin lifted toward Vincent, who was already waiting, shoulders squared, eyes cold and fixed on the Serpent like he'd been preparing for this moment his whole life.
Lucien's answering smirk was sharp enough to cut glass.
"Of course, I'm gonna show him the Lucero way of punishing rats."
Without another word, he stalked toward Vincent. The air between them tightened like a stretched wire.
Then the two vanished into the left hallway—one shadow slipping after another—ready to settle a debt on their own private stage.
Back in the alley, Adrian stepped forward with a casual swagger, but his eyes were razor-focused.
"As usual," Adrian said, "this is men's fight. No weapon needed as the fists talk."
The three of them reached down and tossed their guns onto the concrete, metal clattering against stone like a bell announcing the match.
