Kayla was already at the estate with her entire medical team by the time Matteo and Kellan rushed Ethan in. No one needed instructions everyone moved like a well-oiled machine. Gloves snapped on, bags unzipped, metallic instruments clinked against trays. They circled Ethan immediately as Kellan gently lowered him onto the bed.
Ethan's breathing was shallow, his shirt already soaked with blood. Kayla leaned over him, her brows pulled tight.
"Bullet didn't hit any major organ," she muttered after a quick examination, relief washing through the room like a weak breeze. "We can get it out."
Matteo hovered close, jaw clenched so tightly his cheekbones were sharp lines. He didn't blink. Didn't breathe. He didn't even try to hide the storm brewing in his eyes.
Lucas stood behind them all, still as stone, hands clasped behind his back. But the fury radiating from him sharp, loud, dangerous filled the entire room.
He already knew who did it.
And he already knew that chasing after them now was exactly what Darian wanted.
"We're not doing anything," Lucas said calmly, too calmly. The type of calm that meant the opposite of peace. And everyone seemed surprised but yet,
No one dared interrupt.
"Darian wants us to come out, wants us to react. So we won't. Not yet. We'll let this slide outwardly…" His eyes flicked toward the door. "…and manipulate the rules of his own game instead."
Everyone understood exactly what that meant. And how it would end
This wasn't the first time a provocation came.
And it wouldn't be the last.
Kellan nodded, expression tight. Matteo didn't move, eyes locked on Ethan's still body.
"Matteo," Lucas called softly.
Matteo didn't look away from Ethan. "Don't tell me to calm down."
"I'm not. Neither will anyone here" Lucas stepped closer. "Just… don't be rash. We'll handle this. Our way."
Matteo swallowed hard. "I know."
"Elijah," Lucas said without turning.
"Yes, sir."
"Call Neo. Tell him and Aiden to be careful. Tell them exactly what happened."
"Understood."
"And Elijah…" Lucas added, voice dropping.
"Yes, boss?"
"They might go after them next. I don't want any more damages."
"I'll tell them immediately." Elijah left the room, already dialing. He moved to the corner of the room they were all in.
Neo answered on the second ring.
"Elijah? What's up?"
Elijah's tone alone made Neo's stomach sink.
"Neo… listen carefully. Ethan was shot."
Neo froze. His spine locked straight.
"What?" His voice cracked. "Shot? How? Is h- Elijah, is he alive?"
"He's alive," Elijah rushed to say. "Kayla's with him. Bullet didn't hit any organ, so he'll be fine. They're removing it now."
Neo exhaled shakily, but the fear didn't leave him.
"Neo, I need you to be careful, it's a necessity now not something to joke with. You and Aiden both of you. Lucas wants you two alert there's a chance they may target you next, so watch your every step follow your instinct when you feel someone's following you. And… keep your sister safe. No unnecessary movements."
Neo swallowed, throat suddenly too tight.
"Is everyone else okay? Matteo? Lucas? Kellan?"
"They're fine. Angry, but fine."
A pause. "Neo… just take this seriously."
"I am."
Elijah ended the call after one last warning:
"Stay sharp."
Neo's pov
Neo stood there for a full five seconds, phone in his hand, pulse hammering in his ears. His heart felt like it had dropped clean out of his body.
Ethan.
Shot.
He felt sick.
"Aiden!" he yelled, louder than intended. Aiden had come over for their usual sleepover when ever they had a school break.
Within seconds Aiden burst into the room, panting like he had sprinted all the way from the kitchen.
"What happened? Why do you look like that?"
"Get in," Neo said. "And close the door."
Neo called, "Pia!" and within moments she too entered, tying her hair up, confused by the tension filling the room.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Neo inhaled sharply. "Ethan was shot."
Pia gasped, hand flying to her mouth. Not that she had met any of them including Lucas but still she wished them well. Aiden's eyes went wide, then dark seriousness overtaking him instantly. He had swallowed all the teasing words he'd come prepared for
"I just got the call from the estate, from Elijah" Neo continued. "Lucas said we need to be careful. Both of us. He said we should follow our instinct if we ever felt someone following us" He looked straight at Aiden. "You especially."
Aiden swallowed."Is he… alive?"
"Yeah," Neo nodded. "Kayla's treating him, luckily the bullet didn't hit any organ so he's safe and they're all safe. For now."
Aiden sat on the bed, running a shaky hand through his hair.
"Fuck."
Pia moved close to her brother, gripping his arm."Neo, please be careful. Both of you. I don't know where this is all going or why it's happening but please listen to Lucas and be careful Don't go anywhere alone."
Aiden nodded, eyes distant but full of concern.
"Yeah… yeah, we won't."
The three of them sat together in heavy silence, tension crushing the air.
Later that night, after dinner with Neo's family, Neo and Aiden sat alone in Neo's room. No jokes. No teasing. Just quiet, heavy thoughts.
Aiden looked over at Neo.
"Should… should we call? Just check on them?"
"Yeah," Neo said instantly. "I'll call Lucas. You call Kellan."
They nodded at each other and picked up their phones and dialed.
Aiden's Call (Kellan)
Kellan picked up in half a ring.
"Aiden?"
Aiden closed his eyes at the sound of his voice.
"Kellan… are you okay?"
"Yes. We're all fine." Kellan's voice softened. "How are you two holding up?"
"We're managing but… Kellan, Ethan… how is he? Really?"
"He's stable now." A sigh. "Bullet is out. He's sleeping."
Aiden's voice dropped.
"Thank God."
"You don't need to worry," Kellan added gently. "We'll handle everything from here. Just stay safe. Please."
Aiden nodded, even though Kellan couldn't see it.
"Okay. You too."
There was a heaviness in both their tones a quiet fear hiding beneath strength.
They hung up slowly.
Neo's Call (Lucas)
Lucas answered with his usual controlled composure.
"Neo."
"Lucas… is Ethan okay now?"
"He's stable," Lucas replied. "Kayla did well. He'll heal."
Neo exhaled shakily.
"Okay. Good."
"Neo," Lucas said, voice deepening, "I need you to stay alert. Don't go anywhere alone. And Aiden watch him closely. That shot wasn't random."
Neo nodded."I will. I promise." "And Neo?"
"Yes?"
Lucas' tone softened just barely.
"Don't panic. We're not losing anyone."
Neo closed his eyes.
"Alright."
He hung up, gripping the phone tighter than he realized.
The phone calls ends with both boys sitting side by side on Neo's bed, phones still in their hands, the weight of the night settling around them…
Neither of them said a word.
Both of them were terrified to lose anyone else.
"Ride or die?" Aiden said "ride or die"