The night air was thick with mist and danger. The old docks stretched out like brittle bones over dark, restless water. Every shadow felt alive, every creak of wood an omen.
Hazel Graze stood alone at the edge of Pier 13, the wind catching her hair, the hem of her black coat fluttering around her legs like storm clouds. The city lights blinked faintly in the distance, a world away from the war brewing here.
This was the place where men disappeared. Where old debts were paid. And tonight, a queen was about to rewrite history.
**
11:55 PM
Michael waited in the alley nearby, his ear piece crackling with updates.
"North lookout clear."
"East perimeter secure."
"Snipers in position."
Every man loyal to Graze was here. Every weapon loaded. Every grudge sharpened. Michael's thumb grazed the trigger of his sidearm as his eyes locked on Hazel's lone figure by the water.
His chest ached with a cocktail of pride, fear, and longing.
She wasn't the naive girl he married anymore.
She was fire. Steel. The storm itself.
And God help anyone who tried to touch her.
**
11:58 PM
Kade arrived like a ghost, emerging from the mist with half a dozen men at his back. He wore black from head to toe, a cigarette perched between his lips, his grin sharp enough to bleed.
He approached Hazel without hesitation.
"Mrs. Graze," he purred, mockingly. "I'm touched you came alone."
Hazel's gaze didn't waver. "I didn't come for small talk."
Kade chuckled, his eyes roaming over her with dangerous appreciation. "Pity. You always were more fun than Michael."
She raised a brow. "Funny. He says the same about your corpse."
Kade's grin faltered for a split second.
**
11:59 PM
From rooftops and shadows, Graze men tensed.
Michael's finger rested on the trigger. "Say the word, Hazel," he murmured through the comm.
But Hazel held up a single hand. Not yet.
Kade stepped closer, the distance between them closing like a noose.
"You could have had everything with me," he said softly. "Your family name restored. Your past rewritten. No one would've dared touch you."
Hazel's voice was ice. "I don't need a man to give me a crown I built myself."
He studied her, then sighed. "Then you leave me no choice."
He lifted his hand.
From the shadows, a dozen of his men appeared — knives, guns, blood in their eyes.
Michael's voice cut through the comm. "Now."
**
Midnight
Gunfire erupted like thunder.
Graze snipers took their marks. Men dropped from rooftops. The docks became a battlefield.
Hazel moved fast, dodging a bullet as Michael's men poured in from every direction. She grabbed the hidden dagger from her boot, slashing one of Kade's men across the throat as he lunged.
Michael fought like a demon, gunning down three men before reaching her side.
"I told you this was reckless," he growled, pulling her behind a crate.
Hazel grinned breathlessly. "You love it."
He grabbed her face, kissed her hard. "Damn right I do."
Another bullet cracked the air, and they both ducked.
**
The Final Confrontation
Amidst the chaos, Kade stalked toward them, blood splattered across his face, a wicked grin in place.
"You think you've won?" he snarled. "This city bleeds for me."
Hazel stepped out, dagger still slick with blood. "Not anymore."
Kade raised his gun.
Michael fired first.
The bullet struck Kade's hand, sending the weapon flying into the water.
"You should've stayed dead," Michael spat.
Kade laughed, staggering back. "You think killing me fixes this? I own half your men. Your council's already bought."
Hazel stepped closer, her eyes gleaming.
"You might own their fear," she said, voice low, "but I own their hearts."
And with that, she drove the dagger into his chest.
Kade's eyes widened, a choked sound leaving his lips as she twisted the blade.
"For my mother," Hazel whispered.
She pulled the dagger free, and Kade dropped to his knees.
"For my city," she said, and Michael fired the final shot.
Kade collapsed onto the dock, blood pooling beneath him, the mist swallowing his corpse like a final mercy.
**
Aftermath
The fight slowed, Kade's remaining men surrendering one by one.
Michael pulled Hazel into his arms, both of them bloodied, hearts pounding.
"You good?" he asked.
She leaned her head against his chest. "Better than good."
He kissed her hair. "You scared the hell out of me tonight."
She smirked. "I'd do it again."
Michael chuckled, then grabbed her chin, tilting her face to his.
"I love you, Hazel Graze," he said, raw and real.
She grinned, tears pricking her eyes.
"Took you long enough."
He kissed her then, a kiss that tasted like blood and victory.
**
Later That Night — Graze Tower
The city was quiet again. Sirens in the distance. The taste of war still fresh in the air.
Hazel sat on the balcony, a whiskey in hand, watching dawn creep over the skyline. Michael came up behind her, dropping a blanket over her shoulders.
"Queen of the city," he murmured.
She smirked. "It has a nice ring to it."
He sat beside her, their hands threading together.
"No more secrets," he said.
"No more."
They clinked glasses.
And for the first time in years, the city belonged to them.
Together.....