Chapter 1 Release From Hell

The heavy steel gates of Ravenlock Prison groaned open. Kane Draven stepped out, slinging his worn bag over his shoulder. Five years. Five damn years in this concrete tomb for the world's worst.

Five military helicopters roared overhead, rotors slicing the air. Police cruisers formed a tight perimeter, lights flashing silently. Kane scanned the scene once, then locked eyes on the man waiting ahead.

Director Jackson, late forties, two stars on his shoulder, stood with arms crossed. His stern face cracked into a smirk.

"Draven. You've gone fat," Jackson said.

Kane chuckled. "Five years of prison slop will do that to a man. Good to see you, Director."

They shared a short laugh, but Jackson's expression quickly turned serious. "I'm sorry it took six years to pull you out. The paperwork and politics were a nightmare."

Kane adjusted his bag. "If it weren't for you, I'd still be rotting in that foreign hole. I owe you my life, sir."

Jackson nodded, but his eyes stayed hard. "You were supposed to be extracted right after the Phoenix Operation. But things went to hell."

Kane's jaw tightened. Phoenix Operation. The mission that killed his brother-in-arms.

Five years ago, he'd led the elite Valkyrie Unit against Dr. Elwes and his Erebus Toxin lab. The intel was leaked. They walked straight into an ambush. Victor "Hawk" Lee took a bullet meant for Kane. Hawk wasn't just a soldier — he was family.

Blinded by rage, Kane had gone rogue. He stormed the enemy base alone and left nothing but corpses behind. The government disavowed the entire unit. Jackson was the only reason Kane wasn't executed or left to die in some black site.

"You didn't fail the team," Jackson said, reading his face. "We'll find the traitor. Together."

Kane stayed quiet.

Jackson continued, "Dr. Elwes is still out there. Interpol lost him in Dubai, but fresh intel says he's planning to slip back into the country. We need you, Kane. Your knowledge of the toxin, your skills — you're the only one who can track this bastard down."

Kane shook his head. "I'm done, Director. I want a normal life. No more shadows. The Valkyrie Unit is strong. You built it well. They can handle this without me."

Jackson's voice dropped. "This isn't just about stopping a toxin. Thousands will die if Elwes releases it. You're the best we have."

"I said I'm out."

Jackson sighed and pulled out a folder, shoving it into Kane's hand. "At least visit your gurus before you disappear. One of them is critically ill."

Kane froze. Master Chen, the old doctor who taught him everything about medicine and poisons. Sensei Kaito, the martial arts monster who turned his body into a weapon. They were the only family he had left.

He didn't open the folder. He didn't need to.

"Okay," Kane said quietly.

He turned and started walking away, folder clutched tight.

"Draven!" Jackson called after him. "Come back anytime. The door is always open for you."

Kane didn't look back. The cold wind bit at his neck as he headed toward the waiting car. Freedom tasted bitter. He had planned to disappear, find a quiet corner of the world, and forget everything.

...

Kane stepped off the train onto the quiet town platform. It was getting late. He scanned the small crowd, and a flashy figure in a bright pink suit rushed straight at him.

"Kane, my man! You're finally back!" Vinnie pulled him into a crushing hug, curly hair perfectly styled and eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Vinnie," Kane said, patting his brother's back before pushing him off. "I told you not to come. I'm good."

Vinnie grinned wide. "Missed you too much, little bro. You're stuck with me now."

They walked toward the parking lot. Kane kept his thoughts to himself. Their family used to be normal. Then Kane made one stupid mistake that buried them under ten million in debt. That same year, their parents died in a car fire. The cops called it suicide. Kane and Vinnie knew it was murder.

Vinnie had sent him off to the military to protect him. For the past year as a mercenary, Kane had only one goal: pay his brother back and fix what he broke.

"Let's hit a bar first," Vinnie said, eyes full of mischief. "We need to celebrate your return properly."

Kane slid into the sleek black sports car. The leather seats and wood trim screamed money. Vinnie had clearly done well for himself.

As they drove, Kane studied his brother. Tailored suit, expensive watch, perfect hair. "You really paid off that debt, huh?"

Vinnie just smirked.

They pulled into an exclusive estate full of massive mansions. Vinnie popped the trunk, grabbed a chilled bottle of wine, and handed it over. "Welcome home, little bro."

Inside the villa, everything looked expensive — marble floors, huge chandeliers, designer furniture.

Then Kane froze. A stunning woman with piercing green eyes sat in the living room. Next to her, a little girl with the same curls played with a doll.

Vinnie's face changed instantly. He hid the wine bottle behind his back, voice shaking. "Elizabeth... I thought you were gone until next month?"

Kane's eyes narrowed. "Vinnie, what's going on?"

Vinnie swallowed hard. "Uh, Kane... this is Elizabeth, my wife. And this is our daughter, Eleanor."

Kane's eyebrows shot up. Wife? Daughter? Vinnie never said a word about any of this.

Elizabeth's glare was ice cold. She stood up slowly, staring daggers at Kane.

Kane extended his hand anyway. "Nice to meet—"

"You're not welcome here," Elizabeth snapped, voice sharp as a knife. "Get out. Now."