As the adrenaline began to fade, the weight of Alex's exhaustion pressed down on him like a heavy blanket. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, each breath a reminder of the punishment he had endured. But despite the pain, there was a small spark of triumph burning within him. He had won—against all odds, he had survived the ring.Mike helped Alex to his feet, his grip firm but supportive. "You okay, kid?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and approval.Alex nodded, though he wasn't sure how true that was. "Yeah... I think so." His voice came out raspy, barely audible over the lingering cheers of the crowd."Good. Because there's no time to celebrate. You need to get out of here, fast."Alex blinked, trying to process Mike's words. "What? Why?"Mike leaned in closer, his expression suddenly serious. "You made a name for yourself tonight, Alex. You took down Crusher—nobody does that on their first night. But that also means you've drawn attention, and not the go

The night air was cool against Alex's sweat-slicked skin as he and Mike navigated the labyrinth of back alleys and side streets. The distant hum of the city’s nightlife buzzed in the background, a stark contrast to the silence between them. Alex’s heart still raced, not from the exertion of the fight, but from the weight of the decision he had just made. Leaving everything behind felt like trading one nightmare for another, but he knew it was the only way to stay alive.“Where exactly are we going?” Alex finally asked, his voice low as if the shadows around them might be listening.Mike didn’t slow his pace, his eyes scanning every darkened doorway and alley as they moved. “A safe house. It’s not much, but it’ll keep you out of sight until I can arrange for you to leave the city. It’s just a few blocks ahead.”Alex nodded, though unease gnawed at him. He trusted Mike—at least, as much as he could trust anyone in this world—but the uncertainty of what lay ahead made his stomach churn.

Ethan paced the length of his luxurious cabin, his thoughts spiraling as he tried to piece together the events of the last few hours. The yacht, once a symbol of his control and power, now felt like a trap closing in on him. The news of a spy infiltrating their midst had been bad enough, but the idea that there was a larger, more sinister plot in motion—one that targeted the vault—was pushing him to the edge of paranoia. His mind raced through every possibility, every contingency, as he tried to figure out who could be behind this and how they had managed to slip through his defenses. He clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. The vault was more than just a repository of wealth; it was a symbol of everything he had worked for. The thought of someone, anyone, trying to breach it made his blood run cold. As he continued to pace, the door to the room quietly opened, and Sandra slipped inside. She moved with an elegance that seemed out of place amidst the tension thickeni

Laurel sat on the cold, concrete floor of her cell, her back pressed against the rough wall. The dim light that flickered weakly from the bulb above cast eerie shadows across the small, claustrophobic space. It was night, though the darkness in this place never truly lifted, not even during the day. Time had lost its meaning here, the hours blending together into an endless gray haze.The stench of damp and mildew hung in the air, mixing with the pungent odor of unwashed bodies and the faint, sour scent of despair. The thin blanket wrapped around her shoulders did little to ward off the chill that seemed to seep up from the very bones of the building. Laurel’s fingers were numb from the cold, and she clenched them into fists, trying to bring some warmth back to her hands.The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, a slow, deliberate march that sent a shiver down her spine. She tensed, her breath catching in her throat. The guards here were not known for their kindness. They wi

Disheveled, Kenji whipped out his gun, firing a warning shot into the air. “Back off!” he screamed, trying to assert his control over his men, but the sound of the gunshot only fueled the frenzy. His men were beyond reason now, driven by the promise of five million US dollars.Another man, smaller but quicker, darted in from the side, aiming a knife at Kenji’s ribs. Kenji twisted just in time to stop the blade from slicing him like a pizza. The blade sliced through the air where his body had been a moment before. “You bastard!” He yelled, shoving the attacker away. That sent him crashing into a table that broke into pieces under the impact.On the other hand, the old man shook his head at Kenji’’s dilemma. There were too many of them motivated by the money, and Kenji knew he was in deep trouble. They were out for his flesh and blood. He backed toward the door, his gun trained on the advancing men, but he could see they were ready to risk everything for that reward. Bloodlust had taken