Midnight Code

The flickering lights lasted only a second, but it was enough.

Aziel’s grip on Laila’s hand tightened just as a shadow loomed over their table.

A man in a crisp black suit, with an unsettlingly calm smile, placed a glass in front of Aziel.

"A gift," he said smoothly, his gaze flicking to Laila. "From an old friend."

Aziel didn’t react. He simply glanced at the drink, then back at the stranger. "I don’t accept drinks from people I don’t know."

The man chuckled. "Oh, but you do know him." He tilted his head toward Laila. "And so does she."

Laila’s heart pounded.

Khaled.

She could feel the weight of every stare in the room now. They weren’t just being watched—they were surrounded.

Aziel leaned back, his expression unreadable. "I don’t play games."

The man smirked. "Oh, but this is not a game, Mr. Aziel. This is just a warning."

He turned to Laila, his eyes dark with amusement. "Your husband can’t protect you forever, little bird."

The nickname sent a shiver down her spine.

Aziel moved in an instant. His chair scraped against the floor as he stood, his hand gripping the man’s collar before anyone could react.

"Say that again," Aziel’s voice was low, lethal.

The man merely smiled. "You should go now."

Aziel’s fingers tightened, but Laila grabbed his wrist. "Aziel," she whispered. "Not here."

A tense beat passed. Then, Aziel let go, shoving the man back into his seat.

The smirk never left his face.

"You can run, Laila," he said, straightening his suit. "But he will always find you."

Laila exhaled sharply. "Then tell him to come himself next time."

The man laughed. "Oh, he will."

Then, without another word, he walked away.

Aziel didn’t hesitate. He pulled Laila to her feet. "We’re leaving. Now."

---

Nowhere is Safe

The moment they stepped outside, Aziel’s grip on Laila’s hand was firm, guiding her through the sleek city streets. The night air was cool, but tension hung between them like a storm about to break.

"That was reckless," Aziel muttered under his breath.

Laila scoffed. "Excuse me? I’m not the one who nearly broke a guy’s jaw in the middle of a restaurant."

"You provoked him."

"And he provoked me first!"

Aziel exhaled sharply. "We don’t have time for this."

Laila pulled her hand free. "Then what do we have time for, Aziel? Because right now, it feels like we’re just running in circles!"

Aziel turned to face her fully, his jaw tight. "We run, Laila. Until I figure out how to stop him, we run."

She hated this.

She hated feeling like prey.

And she hated that Khaled was always ten steps ahead.

Suddenly, Aziel’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out, but the screen was blank. No calls. No messages.

Laila frowned. "What is it?"

Then, she noticed the flickering streetlight above them.

Her stomach dropped.

"Aziel—"

A car screeched around the corner.

Aziel barely had time to react before the first shot was fired.

Bang!

He grabbed Laila, pulling her into the nearest alley as bullets shattered the glass windows behind them.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. "Seriously?! A full-blown attack in public?!"

Aziel pressed her against the wall, shielding her. "You wanted answers? This is your answer!"

Another shot.

Laila cursed under her breath. "We need to get out of here!"

Aziel scanned their surroundings. "We split up."

"What?! No!"

He didn’t give her a choice. "You head for the market. I’ll draw them away."

Laila grabbed his wrist. "And if I lose you?"

Aziel’s gaze met hers.

"You won’t."

Then, before she could argue, he sprinted into the open, drawing the shooters' attention.

Laila clenched her jaw.

She hated this.

But she had no choice.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and ran.