Chapter 32

The echo of the gunfire still rang in Erica’s ears as she stood among the debris, her eyes scanning the room, her heart racing. Blood pounded in her temples as the adrenaline from the firefight slowly drained, but the tension in her muscles remained, coiled tight as a spring. Julian’s curse cut through the stillness, his face a mask of frustration as he searched the empty space for any sign of Ramos.

“He couldn’t have gone far,” Erica said, her voice steady, though her nerves were far from calm.

Julian glanced over at her, his jaw clenched. “He had this planned. That door—he slipped through right as the fighting started. He’s still in the compound, but we have no idea where.”

Erica nodded, her mind already racing through possibilities. Ramos was a slippery character, one who thrived in chaos. He wouldn’t have left without the files—her father’s files—so that meant they had to be close. And if they could find those, Ramos wouldn’t be far behind.

King wiped blood from a cut on his cheek