The man raised his club, his lips curling into a cruel grin as he prepared to strike Tasha.
Before the blow could land, a silenced gunshot whispered through the warehouse, and the club he was holding clattered to the floor. He cried out in pain, clutching his shot arm.
"What the hell? Who's there?" he snarled, spinning around.
His partner scanned the room, his eyes darting to the staircase. Before he could react, a figure leapt down from the stairs and drove a solid kick into his chest, sending him sprawling backward.
The shot man turned, rage and confusion in his eyes, only to be met with a fist that slammed into his face. He crumpled to the ground without a sound.
Tasha blinked, dazed and bewildered, as her rescuer walked toward her.
He was dressed casually, his expression calm but focused, as though this was just another day for him. He crouched behind her, his hands quickly undoing the ropes around her wrists.
When she was free, she struggled to stand, wobbling on shaky legs. "Who... who are you?" she stammered, her voice weak.
"I'm giving you my alias, Skyline," he said curtly, not sparing her a glance. "We're leaving. Follow me."
Tasha hesitated, her instincts torn between fear and trust. She opened her mouth to protest, but Tom didn't wait. He grabbed her hand firmly and started leading her toward the exit.
After only a few steps, Tasha stumbled and fell to her knees. "I... I can't," she said, her voice trembling. "I haven't eaten. I'm too weak to run."
Tom turned back, assessing her for a moment.
He sighed and without a word, he scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her as if she weighed nothing.
Tasha gasped, her cheeks flushing despite her exhaustion. No one had ever handled her like this before. "You didn't have to do that," she muttered, feeling strangely self-conscious.
When they emerged from the warehouse, the scene outside made Tom stop in his tracks. A militia camp sprawled before them, armed men moving in and out of tents.
He set Tasha down gently, his tone turning sharp. "Listen to me carefully. Do exactly what I say if you want to get out of here alive."
Tasha stared at him, her heart pounding.