Chapter 177 – Estela POV
I find the bastard.
There—darting between trees, wild-eyed, panting, coat torn, limping slightly. Valentino fucking Castellano.
I don't hesitate. I raise the gun and fire.
The warning shot slices past his shoulder and smashes into the trunk beside him, sending bark flying.
He stumbles. Looks back.
He sees me.
And the expression on his face? Oh, it's not fear—it's recognition. He knows I'm not going to miss next time.
I break into a sprint.
My breath is steady, even as branches claw at my clothes. He veers left and I follow, my feet pounding against the underbrush, gun raised, finger steady on the trigger.
"I've got you now, you slimy, slippery piece of shit!" I call, voice slicing through the forest like a blade.
"Ha!" he shouts back, wild with adrenaline.
"It's just you? Where's the other bitch—she dead?!"
