MARCO: The private armory room buzzed with the sound of guns being loaded and tactical gear being secured. The metallic clinks and clicks echoed around the room, blending with the quiet murmur of my men discussing strategies. Each one of them was focused, their faces etched with determination. This wasn’t just another mission; this was personal.I moved among them, checking in on their preparations. “Remember, no slip up guys,” I said, my voice firm but low. “This is about sending a message to Viktor and anyone else who thinks they can mess with us.”Tony was adjusting his bulletproof vest. He glanced up at me and nodded. “We’re ready, boss. We’ve got your back.”I gave him a tight smile. “Good. We’re going in fast and hard. No mistakes.”Mikey, the new guy, looked up from loading his rifle, his hands trembling slightly. “Boss, what if Viktor has backup? What if this is a trap?”I walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Listen, Mikey. Viktor thinks he has the upper hand b
MARCO“Lay low and blend in,” I ordered my men, my voice low but firm. “Take out anyone you see. Shoot on sight. I’m not losing any of you to some lousy thug.”The men nodded, their faces set with determination. “We’ll stay safe, boss,” one of them said. “You watch your back too.”I gave a short nod, watching as they melted into the darkness, their forms disappearing into the night. The silence was soon broken by the sound of gunshots echoing through the air.Carlos and I moved forward, keeping low. I spotted a couple of Viktor’s men ahead and raised my gun, shooting them down with precise shots. Carlos glanced at me, a smirk on his face. “That left hand of yours doesn’t miss a shot, does it?”I ignored his comment, focusing on the task at hand. We moved on, taking down more of Viktor’s men as we advanced. Each shot was clean, each move calculated. We were getting closer to Sarah, but the path was littered with bodies.Suddenly, more of Viktor’s men appeared, surrounding us. I fired a
MARCOCarlos and I were on a roll, taking down Viktor’s men one after another. The adrenaline pumped through my veins, sharpening my senses. Each man who fell was a step closer to getting Sarah back.Carlos, always the joker, couldn’t resist making light of the situation. “Hey Marco, let’s make it interesting. Whoever gets the most kills buys the drinks tonight.”I shot him a look, trying to stay focused. “Carlos, now’s not the time for games. Keep your head in the fight.”He shrugged, not losing his grin. “Just trying to lighten the mood, boss. But fine, let’s keep it professional.”We moved through the base, systematically taking down anyone who crossed our path. The tension was thick, but I couldn’t afford to lose my cool. Not when we were so close.Finally, we reached the front of the building where Viktor was holding Sarah. I could almost feel her presence, just beyond those walls. One more push, and she’d be safe.As we took another step forward, a sharp crack pierced the air. C
SARAHI sat there in the quiet room, my mind swirling with everything that had happened. The chaos, the fear, the hope—I couldn’t wrap my head around it all. For a moment, I let myself get lost in my thoughts, trying to piece it all together.Did Marco really come to save me? It seemed unreal, like something out of a movie. I couldn’t believe he had fought through all those men just to get to me. My heart raced at the memory of him bursting in, looking like a force of nature. How did I get so lucky?“Is this all a dream?” I whispered to myself, almost afraid that speaking it out loud would shatter the illusion. I looked around the room, trying to find something that made sense.My thoughts drifted back to when Viktor had me, the terror I felt. I never thought I’d see Marco again. But he came, didn’t he? He came and saved me. Why would he risk everything for me? Did he really care that much?I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of confusion. “Why, Marco?” I muttered. “Why would you
SARAHI woke up in a stark, sterile room. The white walls and ceiling seemed to close in on me, making me feel small and disoriented. The beeping of machines and the faint smell of antiseptic filled the air. I blinked, trying to make sense of where I was.I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my side made me wince and fall back against the pillows. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising panic in my chest. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was collapsing in Marco’s arms.My eyes darted around the room, searching for clues. There was an IV drip attached to my arm, a heart monitor beeping steadily next to the bed, and a few chairs against the far wall. A hospital. I was in a hospital. But why? How?My head pounded as I started to recall fragments of the most recent events. Viktor’s face flashed in my mind, and I muttered to myself, trying to piece everything together. “Viktor… rooftop… Marco…” The images were blurry, but they slowly started to form a coherent sequ
SARAHThe door burst open, and Marco stormed into the room, his sudden outburst startling both Gloria and me. For a moment, he looked almost childlike in his urgency, his eyes darting around the room until they landed on me. He opened his mouth to speak but then seemed to catch himself, taking a deep breath and composing his expression.“Sarah,” he said, his voice more controlled now, though the concern still flickered in his eyes. He walked up to the bed, his movements deliberate. Gloria stood up, ready to leave, but Marco raised a hand. “Stay, please.”Gloria nodded and remained where she was, watching us both with a mixture of curiosity and professionalism.“How are you feeling?” Marco asked, his gaze locking onto mine.I managed a small smile. “Better. Thanks to Gloria here.” I gestured to the nurse.Marco nodded, his expression still serious. “Good. That’s good.” His response was vague, almost distant, as if his mind was racing with a thousand thoughts.Gloria glanced between us
MARCOAs we walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but realize how exhaustedi was. We got to the office and I nodded at him in thanks, stepping into Dr. Frank’s office. As soon as I entered, Frank stood up quickly, his eyes lighting up with recognition.“Godfather,” he said, bending slightly to kiss my hand. “It’s an honor to see you.”“Frank,” I acknowledged, stepping forward and embracing him in a quick, firm hug. “You’re looking well.”“Thanks, Marco. You’re not looking too bad yourself,” he replied, a warm smile on his face.We both took our seats, the atmosphere shifting from formal to familiar. Frank leaned back, a smile playing on his lips.“How’s everything, Marco?” he asked. “I heard you’ve been dealing with some complications.”“It’s been a hell of a week,” I said, leaning forward. “But we’re managing. Sarah is my priority right now.”Frank nodded understandingly. “She’s in good hands here. Fischer will definitely make sure she recovers fully.”“Appreciate that, Frank,” I
SARAHI woke up to the sound of a soft knock on the door, followed by Gloria’s cheerful voice. “Good morning, Sarah. I brought you some breakfast.”I rubbed my eyes, feeling the grogginess of sleep still clinging to me. “Morning, Gloria.”She wheeled a tray into the room, and the smell of fresh coffee and toast filled the air. “How did you sleep?” she asked, setting the tray on the small table beside my bed.“Better than I expected,” I admitted, sitting up slowly. “What’s on the menu?”Gloria smiled, lifting the lids off the dishes. “We have scrambled eggs, toast, some fruit, and a bit of yogurt. And, of course, coffee.”My stomach growled in response, and I realized just how hungry I was. “That sounds amazing. Thank you.”She handed me a cup of coffee first. “Cream and sugar?”“Just a splash of cream, please.”As she prepared my coffee, I picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. It was warm and buttery, just what I needed to start the day. “This is really good.”Gloria chuckled. “
MARCOThe nurse stepped in front of me as I tried to enter Sarah’s room. Her face was calm but unyielding, and I could tell this wasn’t her first time dealing with someone on the verge of losing it.“Sir, you can’t come in here,” she said, her voice firm but polite.“Move,” I barked, my chest heaving. My eyes were fixed on Sarah lying there, pale and lifeless, with wires hooked up to her like she was some machine. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might crack a rib.“Sir, I need you to step back,” she repeated, her tone sharper now. “You’re only going to get in the way.”I clenched my fists, my body halfway through the doorway. “Get in the way? That’s my wife in there! She’s unconscious, and you want me to just stand out here doing nothing?”“Sir!” The doctor’s voice cut through the tension. He strode toward me, peeling off his gloves as he approached. His face was calm, like nothing fazed him, but there was an edge of authority in his tone. “You need to stay outside.”“Sh
MARCOThe doctor motioned for me to follow him into a smaller, sterile-looking room down the hallway. I walked in without hesitation, though my body was screaming for a break. Every step felt like dragging a dead weight. My clothes clung to me, sticky with dried blood and sweat, and the sharp stings of my wounds were becoming impossible to ignore. But showing weakness? That wasn’t an option—not here, not now.“Take a seat,” the doctor said, nodding toward the examination table as he pulled on a pair of gloves. His voice was calm, unnervingly so, like he wasn’t staring at someone who looked like they’d walked out of a warzone.I sat down stiffly, rolling up my sleeves with deliberate movements. The metallic smell of blood mixed with the faint antiseptic scent of the room, making my head swim for a moment.The doctor began gathering supplies from a nearby tray, humming under his breath as though this was just another routine check-up. He grabbed a swab and turned toward me. “Let’s start
SARAHThe silence between us was deafening. Marco sat by my bedside, his eyes locked on mine, unwavering, as if daring me to fall apart again. I didn’t know what to say—or maybe I was too afraid to say anything at all. Every time I tried to open my mouth, the words felt stuck, like they’d betray me. I shifted slightly, wincing as the IV tugged at my arm. Marco noticed instantly, his brows furrowing.“Are you okay? Do you need anything?” His voice was softer than I expected, almost too careful, like I might shatter under its weight.I shook my head, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine, Marco. Really.”He didn’t believe me. I could see it in the way his jaw tightened, his eyes scanning every inch of me as if he could find the lie in my words.The silence stretched on, and it started to feel unbearable. I hated how quiet he was, how quiet I was. It wasn’t like us. Normally, Marco would be barking orders, teasing me, or finding some way to make light of the situation, and I’d be throwing som
MARCOTony was already pulling himself into the driver’s seat, wincing as his hand pressed against the bloody gash on his side. I hesitated, Sarah still limp in my arms, her face pale as death.“You sure you can drive?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. “You got shot, Tony. You’re damn lucky it didn’t hit anything vital.”Tony threw me a grin through the rearview mirror, blood smeared across his teeth. “I’ve had worse. Just sit tight and keep her breathing, Marco. I’ll get us there.”“Don’t screw this up,” I growled, climbing into the back seat with Sarah cradled against me. I couldn’t risk leaving her side. Petrov climbed in next to me, clutching his arm where blood seeped through his shirt.Tony snorted, turning the key in the ignition. “You act like I haven’t driven half-dead before.”The tires screeched as we tore out of the lot, and I braced Sarah against me, trying to keep her steady. Her breathing was shallow, her face clammy, and every second that ticked by felt like
MARCOI sat up slowly, every movement weighted, like I was dragging my body out of quicksand. The metallic scent of blood clung to the air, sharp and inescapable. My eyes flicked down to Danzo’s lifeless body sprawled on the floor, his blood spreading in a dark pool beneath him. My stomach churned, but I forced my gaze away from the sickening sight and looked up at Sarah.She was still frozen, the gun trembling in her hands like a leaf caught in a storm. Her fingers were clamped so tightly around it that her knuckles were bone-white. Her chest heaved, her breaths sharp and erratic, like she couldn’t get enough air.“Sarah…” I whispered her name, my voice gentle but insistent, trying to break through the fog I could see clouding her mind.She didn’t respond. Her wide, glassy eyes stayed fixed on Danzo, unblinking. Her grip on the gun didn’t loosen, and for a terrifying moment, I thought she might fire again.“Sarah,” I said again, louder this time, my voice shaking but determined. I pu
MARCO The weight of Danzo on my chest was suffocating. My head throbbed from the blow he’d landed earlier, and my ribs felt like they’d been shattered into pieces. The blade in his hand hovered just inches above me, glinting under the dim light, mocking me with its inevitability. My muscles strained as I pushed against him, but Danzo was relentless, pressing down with the weight of his body and his victory. “Well, Marco,” he sneered, leaning closer. His breath reeked of blood and spite. “Looks like this is it for you. No backup. No miraculous last-minute escape. And this time?” He chuckled, his grin wicked. “No plot armor to save you.” I blinked up at him, barely comprehending the words through the haze of pain clouding my mind. Plot armor? He was mocking me, enjoying every second of his supposed triumph. A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat, but it got caught somewhere between frustration and despair. My body screamed at me to fight back, to do something, but I was pinned and out
MARCOI lunged at Danzo the moment his finger hovered over the trigger again. There was no plan, no strategy—just raw, blinding instinct. My body slammed into his with full force, and the gun clattered to the floor. Sarah crumpled to the ground beside us, her face pale, her breaths ragged. But I couldn’t look at her now. I had to end this.Danzo snarled as we hit the floor, his knee driving into my gut as he shoved me off. Pain exploded through my ribs, but I gritted my teeth and surged back at him. My fist connected with his jaw, and the sickening crack of bone gave me a second of satisfaction.“Is this all you’ve got, Marco?” he sneered, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. “The great protector, the so-called savior? Pathetic.”I ignored him, grabbing for the gun, but Danzo was faster. His hand clamped around my wrist like a vice, twisting it painfully. I let out a grunt, jerking my arm free just as he swung at me again. I ducked, feeling the wind of his punch as it barely m
Danzo’s grin widened, stretching so far it looked like his face might split. His teeth gleamed like a predator savoring its victory, and the low chuckle that escaped his lips sent a shiver down my spine. He wasn’t just threatening Sarah—he was savoring the power he held over me. He was playing with her life, and mine, like it was some twisted game.“Look at you, Marco,” he sneered, dragging the barrel of his gun slowly along Sarah’s temple. She flinched, a tremor rippling through her body as she tried to pull away, but his grip on her arm was unyielding. “The big bad hero, huh? All those muscles, all that swagger, all that control you like to throw around. And yet here you are, standing there like a lost little boy. Pathetic.”“Danzo,” I growled, my voice a warning, though my chest felt tight. “Let her go. You’re pushing your luck.”He tilted his head mockingly, his eyes glinting with malice. “Pushing my luck?” he repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. “You think this is about l
MARCOThe flashbang was still working its magic as I stumbled forward, my vision blurry and my ears ringing like an alarm clock from hell. But there was no time to wait for things to settle. The moment the light hit, I felt the chaos erupt behind me—grunts, shouts, the clatter of boots on the floor.Instinct kicked in. The first guy behind me was flailing around, clutching his face like someone had poured hot sauce directly into his eyes. I took the opportunity, jabbing my elbow into his ribs with enough force to knock the air out of him. He let out a strangled wheeze and crumpled like a cheap folding chair.Unfortunately, his buddy wasn’t as incapacitated. The second man had somehow managed to pull out his gun, though he was aiming like he’d never used his eyes a day in his life. The first shot rang out, going wide and hitting a piece of metal somewhere to my left.“Great aim, sharpshooter,” I muttered, yanking the first guy’s body up as a human shield. The next shot hit him square i