The night was suddenly rent by the sharp, cracking sound of gunfire as Leon crumpled to the ground. It found purchase in him, tearing into him with deadly precision, and time seemed to stand still as he fell. The sound of his body hitting concrete seemed to be far away and drowned out by the pounding in her ears.
"No!" Isabella screamed above the pandemonium as she dropped to her knees beside him. She was trembling as her hands went over the injury, pressing down frantically in the hope of stopping the blood welling between her fingers.
Leon was white-faced, his breathing light. His eyes flickered open, and from their depths something twisted her heart. "Isabella…" he rasped, his voice barely audible.
Stay with me," she begged, shaking. She pressed harder, trying to stop the bleeding, but it was like trying to hold back a flood. "You're going to be okay. Just hold on.
