Can’t Win Me Back

Late at night, the police station office was illuminated only by the eerie glow of a computer screen. It displayed Jameson’s interview after his bail.

Nicholas, haggard-looking, stared at the screen. An overflowing ashtray sat beside him.

He pursed his lips, his trembling fingers dialing Jameson’s number. To his surprise, it was engaged. Despair clenched his heart as he gripped the phone tighter.

Nicholas slumped on the couch, his eyes squeezed shut. Throughout his lifetime, he had faced horrors untold, his hands stained with the blood of many.

Yet, none of it prepared him for the soul-crushing despair that threatened to consume him now. This was the darkest night of his life.

Four agonizing days passed in this state. Then, one night, his phone rang. It was Natalie’s doctor.

“Mr. Novak, your wife had a sudden episode! She’s unstable. Please come to the hospital immediately!”

“Is she okay?” Nicholas shot up, grabbing his coat and rushing toward the door.

“Mrs. Novak is in the ER. We’ll discuss details when you arrive!”

Nicholas reached for the doorknob as the call ended. He hesitated, feeling the weight of a loaded gun in his pocket. It was a tempting deterrent, a promise of defense. But using it meant wading into a deeper swamp. Every shot, every bullet casing left behind, would be another clue for the police to follow, a neon sign pointing straight back to him and his tangled web of secrets with Jameson.

Cyrus, a rising star in the force, reminded Nicholas of his younger self. Given time, Cyrus would surely uncover their shady business.

stomach to defy Jameson; even if he had the courage, he couldn’t afford to

wouldn’t blink at taking a life, and Nicholas had known this partnership was a

future was bleak. But he had no choice.

back, retrieved a screwdriver from his desk, and

toward the hospital in his black SUV but screeched to a halt in a deserted alley.

black emerged from the car. Two laid a spiked chain across the

a single wrong

threw the car into reverse, and slammed on

echoed as his car rammed the vehicle behind him, blocking his escape.

He reached behind his back, gripping the screwdriver tightly. “Chief Novak?” the leader rasped, his tone laced with

of you, didn’t he?” Nicholas’ temples throbbed. The question hung heavy

now a marked man and Jasper and Alyssa were determined to bring

Confronted by imminent danger, his primal survival instinct urged him to eliminate the threatNicholas. Nicholas understood Jameson’s ruthlessness, but tonight wasn’t the time for him to meet

work for is irrelevant,” the leader smirked. “We’re aware of your capabilities. That’s why we came to you. We wouldn’t

not now,” Nicholas pleaded, his voice

wife’s critically ill. I need to

pity our employer wants you dead regardless. Take

charged

his death. They slashed at Nicholas with their blades, one after another, but they missed. Amidst the howling

officer, fought with the

mark. A searing pain erupted