DEREK POV
I pushed the door open slowly and stepped out of the car.
The moment my feet touched the ground, the men froze. Maybe they didn’t expect someone to come out so calmly after they cracked his glass.
I pulled the face cap lower and adjusted the mask so my face stayed covered.
Ariana’s shaky voice came from behind me. “Derek, please let’s just drive back—”
“Stay inside,” I said quietly, not turning.
Their scent was rough, mixed with sweat and smoke. They didn’t smell like warriors, just hungry troublemakers.
I shook my head slowly. “They’re not rogues. Just petty street thugs.”
I stared at them for a moment, then gave a dry laugh.
They took that laugh the wrong way—one raised his cutlass and rushed forward.
That was the biggest mistake of his life.
Before he could finish,
