Tank stared at the woman like he had seen a ghost.
“Elena…” he whispered.
The woman’s face was cold, hardened by years of pain. A scar ran across her shoulder beneath her jacket.
“You really thought I died that night?” she said.
Tank stumbled backward.
“I saw the fire… the house exploded…”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“You watched it burn and drove away.”
The bikers around them looked horrified.
The little girl grabbed Elena’s hand.
“Mama… why’s he crying?”
Tank’s eyes filled with rage and confusion.
“No,” he growled. “I came back for you.”
Elena stepped closer.
“Too late.”
Tank clenched the photograph so tightly it bent in his fist.
“Who told you I left?”
Elena’s expression changed.
For the first time, fear flickered in her eyes.
Then—
A black SUV suddenly screeched into the parking lot.
Masked men jumped out holding guns.
“GET THE GIRL!”
Chaos exploded.
Bikers flipped tables. Engines roared alive. People screamed.
Tank instantly grabbed the little girl and threw her behind his motorcycle as bullets shattered diner windows.
Elena stared at him in shock.
Tank pulled a gun from his jacket and fired back without hesitation.
One masked man shouted:
“Boss wants the child alive!”
Tank’s face darkened.
Because only one man would say that.
Only one man knew the truth about the fire.
Tank looked at Elena.
“You never told her who her grandfather is… did you?”
Elena went silent.
The little girl looked between them, terrified.
Tank slowly turned toward the black SUV as a dangerous smile spread across his face.
“Oh God…” Elena whispered.
Tank loaded the gun.
“He finally found us.”
