Gunfire tore through the air.
At the robber's command, bullets rained down like a storm.
Ethan Sullivan moved with agile grace, fighting while retreating.
He dodged behind cover and fired two precise shots.
Two assassins dropped dead instantly.
Another black-clad attacker ambushed him from behind.
Ethan countered with a sharp elbow strike, flipping the man onto the ground.
Bang—
Blood splattered across his body.
From the car window, Sophia Sullivan watched him, drenched in crimson.
He looked like a demon crawling out of hell.
She shoved the door with all her strength, but it didn’t budge.
The remote lock had sealed every exit.
But she wouldn’t just wait to die.
Sophia’s gaze locked onto the bomb strapped to the attacker’s chest.
She yanked off her necklace.
The pendant was a miniature USB drive.
Powering up her laptop, she inserted the drive.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
Lines of code cascaded down the screen like a waterfall.
Ian Gallagher arrived, tracking her location.
"Sophia, what’s happening?"
"Emma’s been kidnapped. Ethan’s in danger," she answered tersely.
"Go help Ethan. I need time to disarm the bomb."
Ian nodded without hesitation.
He never questioned Sophia’s secrets.
Her word was all he needed to trust her.
Though he disliked Ethan, he had a soft spot for Emma.
Even if Sophia hadn’t asked, he would’ve stepped in.
Amid the chaos, a blade flashed toward Ethan.
Ian kicked the attacker down with one brutal strike.
"This is what passes for an assassin?"
He pressed his boot against the man’s chest.
The crack of breaking ribs was unmistakable.
Blood gushed from the man’s mouth.
Ian glanced at Ethan.
"Sophia’s working on the bomb. We need to buy her time."
Ethan gave a slight nod.
He hadn’t expected this foreigner to appear.
Nor had he anticipated Sophia remotely hacking from inside the car.
But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
Ethan moved like a phantom, weaving through the hail of bullets.
The tide of battle began to shift.
The black-clad assailants were losing ground.
Seeing the situation deteriorate, their leader gritted his teeth.
"Fall back!"
They abandoned their comrade and fled in panic.
Ian moved to chase them, but Ethan stopped him.
"My men will handle the pursuit."
Ethan wiped blood from his face.
His cold stare fixed on the man strapped with explosives.
"Your friends left you behind."
"Release Emma, and I’ll spare your life."
The man’s eyes burned with desperation.
"Lies! The Sullivans would never let me go!"
His grip tightened around Emma’s throat.
The little girl trembled violently.
The bloody scene reminded her of her father’s gruesome death.
Ethan’s blood-soaked figure overlapped with those horrific memories.
"Ugh…"
She choked on her sobs.
The kidnapper snarled and squeezed harder.
"Don’t move!"
He knew only two options remained.
Die together—or kill Ethan and escape.
"I’ll count to three."
"Mr. Sullivan, either you die, or we all do."
"Let’s see if your bullets are faster than my bomb!"