Chapter 4 The Standoff.

Laith paced back and forth in the dimly lit warehouse, his jaw clenched, his fists tight with frustration. His men stood around, their faces etched with exhaustion and anger. They had turned the city upside down-searched every known hideout, interrogated family members, even threatened those closest to Badir and Shams-yet the two fugitives remained as elusive as ghosts.

"We've checked everywhere!" one of his men reported, his hands behind his back as he stood before Laith. "Their families swore they didn't know anything. Either they're lying, or they have already left the city."

Laith's eyes burned with fury. "Even if they have left the city we can still find them, tell the others to search the entire country, whoever finds them gets a bonus."

Just then, Kelly's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, his expression shifting as he read the message. A slow, predatory grin spread across his face.

"We've got them," Kelly announced, holding up his phone.

Laith turned sharply. "Where?"

"Faris just sent word. They're on a boat, ready to leave the country. If we move now, we can intercept them before they slip away."

A surge of adrenaline coursed through Laith. He barked orders at his men, his voice sharp with command. "Gear up. We move in five. No mistakes this time-when we get them I'll deal with them myself, no one is allowed to lay a finger on them before me, understood?."

His men scrambled into action, loading weapons, checking ammunition. The hunt was far from over, and this time, there would be no escape.

The docks were alive with the sounds of creaking boats, shouting fishermen, and the salty tang of the sea. Laith and his men stormed the waterfront, their presence sending a ripple of unease through the crowd. Without hesitation, his men fanned out, scanning every boat preparing to depart, shoving aside dockworkers, and interrogating anyone who might have seen their targets.

"Check every boat!" Laith barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "They're here somewhere-tear this place apart if you have to!"

Kelly grabbed a dockworker by the collar, slamming him against a stack of crates. "Two men-Badir and Shams. Where are they?"

The man trembled, shaking his head. "I-I don't know any-"

Before he could finish, another of Laith's men yanked a fisherman forward. "This one says he's seen them!"

Laith stalked over, his gaze piercing. "Talk."

The fisherman, an older man with sun-worn skin, swallowed hard. "They were here... asking about the passage. But they haven't left yet."

Laith's pulse quickened. "Where are they now?"

The man hesitated, then nodded toward the bustling fish market further down the pier. "They are hiding there, the last thing I saw was their terrified faces when they realized you were on your way here. They are waiting for the right moment to slip onto a boat."

A cold smirk twisted Laith's lips. He turned to his men, his voice low and dangerous. "Surround the market. No exits. This ends now."

His men moved like shadows, spreading out to cut off any escape. Laith pulled out his pistol, checking the magazine before sliding it back with a sharp click. Badir and Shams had run far enough. But they won't run any longer.

The air at the docks grew thick with tension as Laith and his men prepared to storm the fish market. Just as they moved in, the distant roar of a single motorbike cut through the noise, followed by another-then another. The sound multiplied until it was a thunderous chorus of engines.

Laith paused his instincts flaring. He turned slowly, his men following his gaze as a swarm of motorcycles rolled into view, their headlights cutting through the dim evening light. The Wolves had arrived.

The bikes came to a halt in a semicircle, their riders clad in leather and armed to the teeth. The leader, Owais, killed his engine and removed his helmet, shaking out his dark hair with a smirk. Without a word, he stepped aside and extended his hand like a gentleman toward the rider beside him.

A sleek, black bike revved once before the rider pulled off her helmet-revealing the sharp, defiant eyes of Amani, Laith's ex-wife.

The two gangs stood in tense silence, the only sound the lapping of waves against the docks.

Laith's jaw tightened. "Amani," he said, his voice dripping with cold disbelief. "You've got some nerve showing up here."

Amani tossed her hair over her shoulder, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "I could say the same about you, Laith. Your men destroyed our restaurants, although it's not a big deal because the insurance company will cover it. But that was too low even for someone like you."

Owais crossed his arms, his grin widening. "Looks like we got here just in time to spice things up."

Laith's grip tightened on his weapon, his men shifting restlessly behind him. The Wolves outnumbered them, but backing down wasn't an option. Not now. Not when Badir and Shams were so close.

"Why are you here Owais? I'm warning you, you don't want to do this.," Laith warned. "Walk away."

Amani laughed, stepping forward. "Or what? You'll do what you always do-lose your temper and make a mess?"

The air crackled with hostility. The Lions and Wolves stood on the edge of violence, each waiting for the first move.

And somewhere in the shadows of the fish market, Badir and Shams watched-knowing their fate now hung in the balance of a war they had no part in.

The tension between the two gangs was a live wire, ready to snap. Owais took a deliberate step forward, his smirk never fading as he met Laith's furious gaze.

"We're not here for a fight, Laith," Owais said, his voice smooth but firm. "We came for Badir and Shams. They were smart enough to warn us about your little attack. In exchange? We promised them protection."

Laith's face twisted in rage. "What?"

Amani crossed her arms, watching him with cold amusement. "You really think men stay loyal to a leader who would toss away his own men?"

Laith's hands clenched into fists, his entire body trembling with fury. He turned toward the shadowy alleys of the fish market and roared:

"SHAMS! BADIR! YOU COWARDS-I KNOW YOU HEAR ME!" His voice echoed off the docks, raw with venom. "IF I WERE YOU, I'D JUMP IN THE OCEAN, YOU BETTER SWIM AS FAR AS YOU CAN! BECAUSE I WILL FIND YOU! AND WHEN I DO, I'LL KILL YOU BOTH MYSELF!"

Silence followed his outburst. Somewhere in the maze of crates and fishing nets, Badir and Shams exchanged a glance-knowing their lives now depended on the Wolves' protection.

Owais chuckled, shaking his head. "You always did have a way with words, Laith. But tonight? They're leaving with us" He signaled to his men, who tightened their formation, guns at the ready.

Laith's men bristled, fingers twitching over their triggers. The standoff could explode any second.

Kelly leaned in, whispering harshly: "Boss, we're outnumbered. If we fight now-"

Laith's chest heaved, his pride warring with survival. Finally, he spat on the ground and snarled:

"This isn't over."

With that, he turned and stormed off, his men falling in behind him. The Wolves watched them go, victorious-for now.

And as the sound of the Lions' retreat faded, Badir and Shams finally exhaled. But they knew-Laith never forgot a betrayal and he always kept his promises.