The Red Lotus erupted into chaos.
Shade ducked just as the first gunshot shattered the neon lights above the bar, spraying sparks like fireworks. Screams filled the club as panicked patrons scrambled for the exits, overturning tables and drinks in their desperation.
Sable's men were fast—already drawing weapons and advancing. But Shade was faster.
He twisted sideways as a bullet zipped past his ear, then lunged at the nearest thug, grabbing his wrist and twisting until bones snapped. The man howled in pain before Shade yanked him forward, using his body as a shield against the next volley of gunfire.
"Goddamn it!" one of the shooters cursed.
Shade shoved his human shield aside and surged forward. A brutal uppercut shattered another thug's jaw. A follow-up knee to the ribs sent him sprawling onto the glass-covered dance floor.
More of them were coming. He needed to move.
Then, just as he was about to vault over the bar for cover—
A gun clicked behind him.
"Hands where I can see them, sweetheart."
Jade.
Shade froze. He turned his head just enough to catch her in his peripheral vision. She held a sleek, silver pistol aimed directly at him. Her expression was unreadable, but her emerald eyes flickered with something dangerous—something playful.
"Really?" Shade asked dryly.
Jade smirked. "It's been a while since I had a bounty this high standing right in front of me."
"You gonna turn me in?"
She tilted her head. "Depends. What's in it for me if I don't?"
Before he could answer, another gunshot roared across the club.
The bullet wasn't meant for Shade. It was aimed at Jade.
She dodged a split second too late—her shoulder jerked back, and she stumbled against the bar with a sharp intake of breath.
Shade moved on instinct. He twisted, snatched the gun from her hand, and fired in the same motion. The shooter—a bald thug in a crimson jacket—dropped like a sack of meat.
Jade hissed in pain, gripping her shoulder. "Son of a bitch."
Shade grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind the bar, shielding her from the next wave of bullets.
"You okay?" he asked, scanning her wound. It was a graze, but it would slow her down.
Jade gave him a lopsided smirk. "I'd say I've had worse, but I hate clichés."
The gunfire intensified. Shade peeked over the counter—Sable's men were regrouping near the VIP entrance. They weren't going to let him walk out of here alive.
He turned to Jade. "Can you still move?"
"Unless you plan on carrying me, yeah."
"Good." He tossed her back her gun. "Stay close."
She wiped a trickle of blood from her lip and winked. "Thought you'd never ask."
Then, together, they made their move.