I heard the wet thud of the blow.

Suddenly, a strange sound drifted over the water.

It was the low, steady rumble of heavy boat engines.

I turned my head toward the dark bay.

I could not see anything through the fog.

But the sound was getting louder.

It did not sound like Vincent’s patrol boats.

Vincent’s boats had a distinct, sharp whine.

These engines were deep and slow.

At the same time, a red light blinked in the pocket of one of the fallen guards.

It was a small, military-grade walkie-talkie.

A voice crackled through the static.

“Team alpha, we are in position,” the voice said.

“The target and Moretti are in the same spot.”

“Take them both out.”

“We clear the docks and take the city tonight.”

My blood ran cold.

The voice did not belong to Derek’s men.

It was a voice I had heard once before, back at the Obsidian Lounge.

It belonged to Marcus, the lieutenant of the Valenti family.

The Valentis were the largest rival gang in the city.

They had been waiting for Vincent to be distracted.