Dawn crept into the battered gym like a hesitant debtor, illuminating dents in walls and blood-specked mats. Alex dabbed antiseptic on Scarface's gash, steady hands belying his racing pulse. That tingle during the fight... coincidence? Rico swept glass, whistling, while two ex-Vipers— the less scarred ones—awkwardly mopped, conscripted by Alex's "offer they couldn't refuse": heal and help, or heal in a cell."You're a doc too, Boss?" Scarface winced, flexing. "Razor's got nothin' on that grip.""Basic first aid. Grandma's trick." Alex taped the wound, mind on the journal. He'd hidden it post-raid; no glow now, just ink: Fang retreats, but nest stirs. Trust the blade, not the tongue. Vinny's riddles or ravings?Mrs. Patel arrived with curries and bandages, clucking. "My boy fights like Shiva. Eat!" Jax rolled in tacos; even Lin the noodle lady dropped broth. Harbor's "tribute" flowed—gratitude masked as fealty. Rico clapped Alex's back. "Family now. Ten strong if we recruit smart."Lena lingered in the doorway, jacket zipped against chill, notepad out. Cops had grilled her as a "witness," but she spun tales of Viper aggression. "That was no fluke, Kane. You moved like... wind. And those eyes on you—crew worship."Alex met her gaze. "They fought for home. Not me." He offered curry. "Join us? Off-record eats."She hesitated, then sat. Spice bridged silence. "Fine. Why Harbor? Engineer like you could code in Skyline, not scrap with snakes.""Family roots. Vinny raised me summers—pizza flips and life lessons." Half-truth; Elena's stories hinted more. Lena softened. "Draven's the real snake. Drugs, hits. Vipers are his pawns. If you're clean..."Scarface interrupted: "Incoming!" A kid—no older than 16—slipped in, Viper tat fresh but eyes wide. "Razor ditched us. Heard you fix things. Not break 'em. Teach me?"Alex nodded. Kid stayed. Lena snapped a discreet photo: Syndicate or sanctuary?Night fell. Alone, Alex opened the journal. A new line shimmered faintly: Bonds forge the shadow. His palm warmed. Outside, Razor's shadow watched, phone to ear: "Draven, Kane's building an army. Fast."End of Chapter 6
