The moment Riley disappeared into the night, I forced my mind into lockdown.
No distractions. No hesitation.
Just survival.
The Oath was closing in, and I knew they wouldn't stop at foot soldiers. They wanted me erased. And now, James—**someone I thought was dead—**was standing in front of me, gun raised.
"You're dead," I said, gripping my own weapon tighter.
James smirked. "Not quite. But you might be soon."
I didn't wait for him to pull the trigger.
Move.
I dove sideways as his first shot cracked through the air. The bullet tore into the asphalt where my head had been a second ago. I hit the ground rolling and fired twice—but he was already gone.
Melted into the shadows.
Typical James—fast, precise, always one step ahead.
I stayed low, scanning for movement.
Where are you?
A faint scuff of a boot—behind me.
I twisted—just in time to block the knife swinging for my ribs.
The impact sent us both stumbling, but I recovered first, throwing a hard elbow into his jaw.
He grunted but smirked. "Still predictable, Nate."
Then he drove his fist into my gut.
Pain exploded through my ribs. I gasped but didn't go down. Instead, I grabbed his wrist, twisting until the knife clattered to the ground.
"You should've stayed buried," I growled.
"Funny," he said, breaking free. "I was about to say the same to you."
He grabbed my jacket and slammed me into the alley wall. My skull cracked against the bricks, lights bursting behind my eyes.
But I'd fought James before.
I swung my knee up—hard—into his ribs. He faltered.
I capitalized.
One quick move, and I had his gun hand locked. I twisted—his weapon hit the pavement.
Then I drove my forehead into his nose.
Blood dripped down his face. He wiped it away, grinning. "Damn. You still hit like a hammer."
"You still talk too much," I shot back, raising my gun—
Then—
Engines roared.
Black SUVs. Three of them.
The cavalry.
Doors slammed open. Armed men spilled out, moving in fast.
I had seconds.
James met my gaze and smirked. "Guess we'll finish this later."
Then—he vanished.
I turned and ran.
A shot grazed my shoulder. Heat seared my skin, but I didn't stop. Bullets shredded the alley behind me as I vaulted over a dumpster.
I had to get back to Riley.
I cut through side streets, ignoring the pain in my leg. Every second mattered. If The Oath had found me this fast, Riley wasn't safe.
By the time I reached the hideout, my gut was already twisted in knots.
Too late.
The front door hung off its hinges, riddled with bullet holes. Smoke curled from inside.
I gritted my teeth. Raised my gun. Slipped inside.
Bodies on the floor. Three of them.
None of them were Riley.
I stepped over the wreckage, scanning the room. Her workstation was destroyed. Monitors shattered. Wires sparking.
Then—
A muffled struggle.
Back room.
I moved fast, kicking the door open just in time to see one of The Oath's men pinning Riley against the wall. A knife to her throat.
She struggled, eyes wild, but he was stronger. He leaned in.
"Give me the drive."
She spat in his face.
"Wrong answer." He pressed the blade closer—
I put a bullet through his head before he could finish the threat.
His body dropped. Knife clattered to the ground.
Riley gasped, stumbling forward. I caught her.
"You good?"
She nodded quickly, hands shaking. "The drive's intact. But we need to move. Now."
Footsteps.
More coming.
"Back exit," I ordered. "I'll cover you."
We moved fast, slipping through the burning wreckage of what had been our safe house.
Outside, the night pulsed with tension.
No way they'd let us walk away.
I turned—another squad closing in.
"Go," I told Riley. "I'll meet you at the fallback point."
"Nathan—"
"Now!"
She hesitated—but she knew me. No arguing.
Then—she ran.
I turned back. Exhaled slow.
Five men. Heavily armed.
I smirked. "Alright, boys. Let's dance."
The first one raised his rifle.
I shot first—two to the chest, one to the head.
He dropped.
The second charged. I met him halfway, ducked under his swing, and drove my knife into his side.
Twisted.
Another down.
The third got a shot off—clipping my leg.
I hissed but didn't stop, tackling him to the ground. His hands found my throat.
I let him think he had me—then jammed my pistol under his chin.
Boom.
I barely had time to move before the last two opened fire.
Bullets tore into the pavement.
I dove behind cover. Mind racing.
Then I saw it—
One of the SUVs. Engine running.
Perfect.
I grabbed a fallen rifle, popped up, and fired.
Short, controlled bursts.
The first guy went down.
The last hesitated.
That was all I needed.
I sprinted, closing the gap, grabbing his wrist before he could fire.
My knife found his gut. Then his throat.
He slumped.
I jumped into the SUV, slammed it into gear, and tore off into the night.
Riley would be at the fallback point.
If she had the drive, we still had a chance.
But The Oath had just declared war.
And James…
James was alive.
My grip tightened on the wheel.
This was just the beginning.