"Are you okay?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of their hearts.
Ava nodded, swallowing hard. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, making her hands tremble. They had barely escaped the assassination attempt, the bullets whizzing past them like angry bees. The memory of the masked figure aiming the gun at them was still fresh in her mind, the flash of the muzzle, the deafening sound of gunfire.
Liam peeked around the corner, his body tense and ready to spring into action. "We can't stay here," he said, his voice steady despite the urgency in his eyes. "We need to keep moving."
Ava took a deep breath and nodded again. "Lead the way."
They moved quickly but cautiously through the alleyways, sticking to the shadows. The city's underbelly was a labyrinth of narrow passages and dead ends, but Liam navigated it with ease, his familiarity with the terrain evident in his confident strides.
As they rounded a corner, Liam suddenly stopped, holding out a hand to halt Ava. She froze, her heart leaping into her throat. Ahead of them, a figure stood silhouetted against the moonlight, blocking their path. Ava's pulse quickened, her mind racing with possible escape routes.
"Stay close," Liam murmured, his hand brushing hers. The brief contact sent a shiver down her spine, but she pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the threat ahead.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a lean, muscular frame. A glint of steel caught the moonlight, and Ava realized the figure was holding a knife. Her breath caught in her throat as the attacker lunged towards them.
Liam reacted swiftly, grabbing Ava and pulling her behind him. He met the attacker head-on, their bodies colliding with a sickening thud. The knife flashed in the moonlight as they grappled, their movements a blur of violence and desperation.
Ava's mind raced. She scanned the alleyway for anything that could be used as a weapon. Her eyes landed on a discarded metal pipe lying a few feet away. Without thinking, she darted forward and grabbed it, the cold metal heavy in her hands.
"Liam!" she shouted, tossing the pipe towards him.
Liam caught the pipe and swung it with all his might, the metal connecting with the attacker's head with a resounding crack. The attacker crumpled to the ground, unconscious or worse. Liam stood over the fallen figure, breathing heavily, the pipe still clenched in his fist.
Ava hurried to his side, her heart pounding in her chest. "Are you hurt?"
Liam shook his head, his eyes never leaving the fallen attacker. "I'm fine. We need to go, now."
They continued their journey through the maze of alleyways, their pace quickening. The city around them seemed to hold its breath, the usual hum of activity replaced by an oppressive silence. Every shadow, every flicker of movement set Ava's nerves on edge.
Finally, they reached a rundown building at the edge of the city. Liam pushed open the door, and they slipped inside, closing it firmly behind them. The interior was dark and musty, the air thick with the smell of mold and decay. But it was safe, for now.
Ava sank to the floor, her back against the wall, her body trembling with exhaustion and relief. Liam crouched beside her, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of injury.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "You saved my life."
Liam shook his head. "We saved each other. That was quick thinking with the pipe."
Ava managed a weak smile. "Guess we make a good team."
Liam's expression softened, and for a moment, the tension between them eased. They sat in silence, the weight of their narrow escape settling over them like a heavy blanket.
"We can't keep running like this," Ava said finally, her voice steady despite the fear still gnawing at her insides. "We need to go on the offensive."
Liam nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Agreed. But first, we need a plan."
Ava's mind raced with possibilities. The assassins were relentless, and staying on the defensive would only get them killed. They needed to strike back, to find out who was behind the attacks and take them down.
"We'll need allies," she said, thinking out loud. "People who can help us get information, provide resources."
Liam's eyes glinted with a dangerous light. "I know a few people who might be willing to help. But it's going to be risky."
Ava met his gaze, her resolve hardening. "I'm willing to take that risk. We can't do this alone."
Liam reached out and took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "We'll get through this, Ava. Together."
For the first time since the attack, Ava felt a flicker of hope. She squeezed Liam's hand, drawing strength from his presence. They had survived the assassination attempt, and now, they would take the fight to their enemies.