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.

if he had the courage, he couldn’t afford to

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

was aware that his future was bleak. But he had no choice. His

his desk, and hid it behind his back before hurrying

halt in a deserted alley. At the other end, a black vehicle

the car.

wrong move would leave him stranded with a chorus

with fury. He gritted his teeth, threw the

vehicle behind him, blocking his escape. The narrow alley

that escape was futile, Nicholas stepped out, scowling at the approaching assassins. He reached behind his back, gripping the screwdriver tightly. “Chief Novak?” the leader rasped, his

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

Though bailed out, Jameson was now a marked

Confronted by imminent danger, his primal survival instinct urged him to eliminate the threatNicholas. Nicholas

the leader smirked. “We’re aware of your capabilities. That’s why we came to you. We wouldn’t be

settle this, but not now,” Nicholas pleaded, his voice laced with

critically ill. I need to

our

assassins charged

of his death. They slashed at Nicholas with their blades, one after another, but

with the desperation of a

mistress slowing his reflexes just enough for a blade to find its mark. A