The exit looms ahead—a set of heavy steel doors just a few paces away. Jamie feels a surge of adrenaline; freedom is so close he can almost taste it. Selina moves beside him with calculated precision, eyes locked on their escape. But as they close in, a familiar voice slices through the silence. "Leaving so soon?" Jamie’s heart sinks as Sokolov steps into view, flanked by two guards, each one armed and steeled for confrontation. Sokolov’s eyes gleam with cold amusement, a smirk twisting his lips. "Jamie, Jamie… I thought we had an understanding." His voice is smooth but menacing. "Yet here you are, taking things that don’t belong to you. You disappoint me Jamie... I'm hurt" Jamie’s fists clench, muscles tensing, ready. He knew a showdown with Sokolov might be inevitable, but this close to escape, it’s a bitter pill. "You took from me first," Jamie replies, voice low, steady, laced with anger. "I’m just leveling the field... Returning things to it's natural state" Sokolov chuckle
Tension crackles like a live wire as Jamie faces off with Darius, each muscle taut, every nerve primed. It's Dark- they stand in a wide, dimly lit corridor—a stark contrast to the sterile brightness of the room Jamie has just left. The exit is close—agonizingly close—but Darius blocks it, and the glint in his eye promises a battle Jamie can’t ignore. “Turn around now,” Darius sneers, “and I might let you walk out with all your bones intact.” Jamie’s jaw tightens as he settles into a loose fighting stance. “I’m done with your games, Darius. I’m getting out, whether you’re in the way or not.” Darius smirks, stepping forward. “Good. I like a bit of resistance.” Without warning, Darius lunges, fists swinging like sledgehammers aimed at Jamie’s head. Jamie dodges left, feeling the rush of air as the blow grazes his cheek. He retaliates instantly, driving an elbow toward Darius’s midsection. The hit connects, but Darius barely flinches. “That all you got?” Darius taunts, grabbing Jamie
The city streets blur as Jamie and Selina keep a low profile, weaving through narrow alleys and dimly lit corners. The adrenaline finally begins to ebb, leaving a dull ache in Jamie’s muscles and a heaviness in his mind. Despite their victory, he knows the mission is far from over—Darius isn’t the type to forgive or forget. They’ll be hunted, no doubt, but that’s a worry for another moment.For now, they need somewhere secure to regroup.They finally slip into a quiet, out-of-the-way café near the docks. The faint, comforting hum of jazz music plays over hidden speakers, an odd contrast to the tension still hanging between them. Jamie gestures to a booth at the back, and they take seats, each glancing around to ensure they aren’t followed.“Didn’t think we’d make it out of there,” Selina mutters, running a hand through her disheveled hair. “Darius isn’t usually that…personal.”Jamie nods, setting the black case between them. “He probably didn’t expect us to put up that much of a fight
The corridor stretches ahead, silent and foreboding, as the ambush warning flashes in Jamie’s mind. He freezes, instincts sharpening, as Selina moves closer, her stance tense and alert.“They’re here,” Jamie whispers, his voice barely audible.Selina’s gaze darts around, her unease surfacing. “You’ve got ten seconds. Where do we go?”Jamie’s mind races as he assesses their options. Ahead lies a side room that might lead to a servant's stairwell, while retreating means doubling back.“Left,” he murmurs, nodding towards the narrow doorway. They slip into the shadows, just as footsteps echo around the corner.Pressed against the wall, they hold their breath as three guards appear, scanning the area. Jamie’s fingers brush his knife as he leans close to Selina. “Backup plan?” he asks, voice low.Selina pulls a compact device from her belt, her mouth curving in a smirk. “Always prepared,” she whispers, pressing a button. The lights flicker, casting eerie shadows, and the guards glance up,
Jamie’s eyes lock onto Darius as the air in the room thickens with tension. Every muscle in his body is poised for action, his mind racing through a thousand possible scenarios. He knows, without a doubt, that Darius won’t hesitate to put him in the ground.But Jamie isn’t one to back down, especially not now.Sokolov leans back in his chair, hands steepled in front of him, watching with an almost amused detachment. "This will be... entertaining," he says, his voice smooth, yet carrying the weight of control.Darius steps forward, his boots thudding heavily on the polished marble floor. He’s built like a tank—tall, muscular, with a scar running down the side of his face, evidence of countless battles fought and won. His dark eyes are cold, devoid of any emotion."I’ve heard about you, Jamie," Darius says, his voice like gravel. "But stories don’t mean much in the real world. Let’s see what you’re made of."Jamie’s hand hovers near his holster, ready to draw his weapon if necessary, bu
The next evening, Jamie stands in front of the mirror, staring at the reflection of a man he barely recognizes. He looks the same—sharp jawline, intense gaze—but something inside him has shifted. The weight of the decision presses against his chest, like an invisible hand squeezing tight. The mission he’s about to embark on isn’t just another job. This one is personal, and the stakes have never been higher.He straps a holster around his chest, securing the pistol against his ribs, hidden beneath his jacket. His system buzzes faintly, a low hum in the back of his mind, but it offers no guidance. Not tonight. Even the system seems to understand that what he's walking into is a test not of skill, but of will.The plan is simple—on the surface. Selina will get him close to Nikolai Sokolov’s mansion under the guise of an invited guest. Once inside, they’ll locate the documents Vincent wants, and Jamie will handle the rest—neutralize Sokolov and ensure the blackmail mat
Jamie stands outside the rendezvous point, a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The streets are quiet, save for the occasional rustle of wind pushing through the cracks in the worn buildings. The moon casts a pale light over the scene, adding to the eerie stillness.He glances at his watch—twenty minutes early. Lyle always says arriving early gives you the upper hand, time to assess the environment and see who might be watching. But tonight, something feels different. Jamie’s system has been unusually quiet, no nudges or flashes of insight. It feels almost... dormant.His instincts, however, are wide awake.A flicker of movement catches his attention, and Jamie’s eyes shift toward a figure approaching from the shadows. Selina, as poised as ever, steps into the light, her dark clothes blending with the night. She moves with the grace of a cat, her expression calm but her eyes sharp, scanning the area with the same precision as Jamie.“Right on time,” she says, her voic
Jamie stands at the edge of the upscale hotel lobby, scanning the room for any sign of Selina. Lyle has given him the basics: Selina is dangerous but necessary. She holds the keys to getting inside Nikolai Sokolov’s mansion, but trusting her is out of the question.The soft hum of conversation mixes with the clinking of glasses as well-dressed patrons mingle around him. Jamie feels out of place, a predator hidden in plain sight. He checks his watch, tension coiling in his chest like a spring wound too tight. Lyle set this meeting up, and if Selina doesn’t show soon, Jamie will have to assume the worst—that she’s already decided to double-cross them before the job even starts.Just as the thought crosses his mind, the soft click of heels catches his attention. A woman in a sleek, dark red dress walks through the entrance, her eyes cutting through the room as if she owns it. She’s stunning, but there’s an edge to her that keeps Jamie alert. Her confidence isn’t just from beauty—it comes
Jamie sits in the quiet corner of a dimly lit bar, nursing his second glass of whiskey. His mind keeps wandering back to his last conversation with Emma—the argument, the tension that hung between them like a fog neither of them could cut through. He clenches his jaw, pushing the memory aside for now. There’s no space for that here, not when he’s about to dive deeper into the underworld.The bar door swings open, and in walks Lyle, his casual demeanor clashing with the gravity Jamie feels tightening around him. Lyle saunters over, his signature smirk plastered on his face as if the world outside is nothing more than a game to be played."Jamie, my man," Lyle says, sliding into the booth across from him. "Got a job that’ll make us both a nice payday. Interested?"Jamie glances at him, his thoughts still on Emma, on how distant their relationship has become. But Lyle’s here now, and he can’t afford to let his personal life bleed into this world. He nods, knowing full well that anything