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.

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

life, and Nicholas had known this partnership was a dance with

he had no choice. His

desk, and hid it behind his back

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

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

option; a single wrong move would leave him stranded

his teeth, threw

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

the approaching assassins. He reached behind his back, gripping the

Nicholas’ temples throbbed.

Jameson was now a marked

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

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

not now,” Nicholas

I need to be at

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

charged

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

officer, fought with

to find its mark. A searing pain erupted in his left arm as a knife