Chapter 8 The Choice

Matteo stood frozen.

The photo. The flash drive. The phone.

Dominic Pendragon's face burned in his mind. The man who ruled the streets like a king. The man these people wanted to destroy.

And somehow, they wanted him - a street kid with no last name - to be the one to start it.

The tall man folded his arms. "So what's it gonna be?"

Matteo looked at Jax, who was pale, silent.

The woman leaned in, her voice low. "You have a little brother, right? Sick. Heart problems, asthma. Doesn't have much time."

Matteo's breath caught.

"How-"

"We know everything," she said calmly. "We know you're not the kind of kid who steals for fun. You steal to survive."

The man from the car - the one who had once offered him a ride without a word - finally spoke.

"You think this city will ever give you a way out?" he said. "This is your chance, Matteo. You work with us, you get paid, you get protection. You keep Leo alive."

Matteo's jaw tightened. He looked again at the pouch's contents. That photo could get him killed. But refusing might kill Leo.

"You want me to get close to Pendragon," he said slowly.

The woman nodded. "Make him trust you. Spy on him. Report back. Simple."

"And when it's over?" Matteo asked.

"You disappear," said the man. "Rich. Free. Leo safe."

Silence fell.

Matteo's heart beat loud in his ears. He thought of Leo's coughing fits, the hospital bills, the cold nights. The way Leo still smiled like the world hadn't crushed them yet.

He looked up, straight at the man who had once let him into his car without asking why.

"I'll do it," Matteo said. Voice steady. "But if anything happens to my brother..."

"It won't," the man said. "As long as you don't betray us."

Matteo swallowed hard.

He picked up the flash drive and tucked it back into the pouch.

"Then tell me where to begin."

The woman smiled, slow and dangerous. "Welcome to the game, Matteo."

--

The cold air hit Matteo as he stepped outside the warehouse.

The wind had picked up, sharp against his skin. Night had fully fallen. The city lights flickered in the distance like they belonged to another world - a cleaner, safer world he'd never been part of.

Behind him, the heavy warehouse door creaked shut.

Jax walked beside him, quiet. For once, Matteo didn't know what to say.

"You sure about this?" Jax finally asked, voice low.

"No," Matteo said. "But I don't have a choice."

They walked a few more steps in silence.

Then Jax stopped. "Matteo, listen. These people... they're dangerous. You saw that body bag. If you screw this up-"

"I won't," Matteo cut in. His eyes were hard now. "I'm not doing this for fun, Jax. I'm doing this for Leo."

Jax nodded, but he still looked nervous.

Matteo pulled the pouch tighter to his chest.

He thought about the flash drive inside. About the photo of Pendragon. About the promise they'd made.

We'll help your brother.

He didn't trust them - not fully - but he didn't see any other way.

As they reached the street, a car drove by slowly. Matteo froze for a second, every muscle tense.

Just a stranger.

But that's what scared him now. Everyone could be watching. Anyone could be a threat.

"You going home?" Jax asked.

Matteo nodded.

"Good. Get some rest. You'll need it."

Then Jax turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows.

Matteo stood alone, the cold sinking deeper into his bones.

He looked down at the pouch in his hand - a simple, worn leather bag. It didn't look like much.

But now, it held his future.

And if he failed... it could cost him everything.

He turned and started walking.

He didn't know it yet, but the road ahead would bring him face to face with Dominic Pendragon - the king of a world Matteo had only ever watched from the edges.

Soon, he wouldn't just be watching.

He'd be standing in the lion's den.