Chapter 13 – The Reckoning
BANG!
The gunshot tore through the warehouse, echoing off the steel walls. Evelyn's breath caught as she saw the muzzle flash. Reddington had fired.
Adrian moved before she could react.
His body twisted at the last second, the bullet grazing his shoulder instead of hitting his chest. Blood seeped through his shirt, but he didn't stop. He didn't flinch.
Because Jonas Reddington was standing right in front of him.
And this was the moment Adrian had been waiting for.
---
The Final Fight
Adrian lunged.
His hands locked onto Reddington's wrist, twisting the gun away with a sickening crack. The weapon clattered to the ground. Reddington grunted but recovered fast, slamming a brutal fist into Adrian's ribs. The impact sent a shockwave of pain through him, but Adrian had fought through worse. He gritted his teeth, catching Reddington's next attack and twisting his arm into a brutal lock.
Reddington roared in pain, then jerked forward, slamming his forehead toward Adrian's skull. Adrian barely dodged, their bodies crashing apart. They circled each other, breathing hard.
Adrian's shoulder burned from the bullet wound. His muscles ached from exhaustion. But he wasn't backing down. Not now.
Reddington smirked. "Still the stubborn bastard, huh?"
Adrian wiped blood from his lip, his storm-gray eyes burning. "Still the same piece of shit."
Reddington chuckled. "You should've stayed gone, Hale."
Adrian's fists clenched.
"For seven years, I had no choice."
And then—he attacked again.
---
Evelyn's Moment
Evelyn watched the fight, heart pounding so hard she could barely think.
She wanted to help.
But she knew this was Adrian's fight.
Still—she wasn't useless.
Her eyes darted around the room.
The explosion had scattered the other guards. Some were still on the ground, groaning, while others were already recovering. More were coming. They had seconds before the real fight began again.
Her gaze landed on Reddington's fallen gun.
Her pulse spiked.
Without thinking, she sprinted for it.
---
The Final Blow
Reddington swung wildly, his movements growing desperate. He wasn't as fast anymore. His body was slowing.
Adrian dodged, countering with a sharp elbow to the ribs.
Reddington stumbled.
Adrian saw his opening.
He drove his fist into Reddington's jaw.
The warlord crashed to the ground, coughing, blood dripping from his mouth.
Adrian loomed over him, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.
Reddington let out a low, pained laugh. "You think… killing me will change anything?" he rasped.
Adrian's hands curled into fists.
"Not killing you," he murmured.
A shadow moved in the corner of his eye.
Evelyn.
She tossed him the gun.
Adrian caught it without hesitation.
Reddington's smirk faltered.
Adrian didn't blink.
Didn't hesitate.
He pulled the trigger.
BANG.
The bullet hit its mark.
Reddington's body jerked.
Then—stillness.
It was over.
---
The Aftermath
Silence filled the warehouse.
Evelyn's chest rose and fell too fast.
Adrian stood over Reddington's lifeless body, his breathing uneven. His grip on the gun loosened, then fell away completely.
For seven years, this man had haunted him.
Had stolen his life.
Had made him a ghost.
And now?
It was done.
Adrian turned slowly, his stormy gaze locking onto Evelyn. She was staring at him, eyes wide, unreadable. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of everything pressed down on them.
Then—she stepped forward.
And without a word, she wrapped her arms around him.
Adrian stiffened.
Then, slowly—he melted into her embrace.
For the first time in years, he felt like he was finally free.
And with Evelyn in his arms again, nothing else mattered.