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.

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

wouldn’t blink at taking a life, and Nicholas had known this partnership was a dance with the reaper from the

But he had no

back, retrieved a screwdriver from his desk, and hid

SUV but screeched to a halt in a

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

was clearly not an option; a single wrong move would leave him stranded

gritted his teeth, threw the car into reverse, and slammed

car rammed the vehicle behind him, blocking his escape. The narrow alley had become

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

throbbed. The question hung heavy in the air, a

bailed out, Jameson was now a marked man and Jasper and Alyssa

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

to you. We wouldn’t be here unless we have

this, but not now,” Nicholas pleaded, his

ill. I need to

Chief Novak. It’s a pity our employer wants you

assassins charged

and silent night would be the night of his death. They slashed at Nicholas with their blades, one after another, but they missed. Amidst the howling

seasoned officer, fought with the desperation of

his reflexes just enough for a blade to find its mark. A searing pain erupted in his left arm as a knife sliced