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.

the stomach to defy Jameson; even if he

blink at taking a life, and Nicholas

that his future was bleak. But he had no choice. His wife, his love,

back, retrieved a screwdriver from his desk, and hid it

black SUV but screeched to a halt in a deserted alley. At the other end, a

masked figures in black emerged from the car. Two laid a spiked chain

wrong move would leave

with fury. He gritted his teeth, threw the

him, blocking his escape. The narrow alley had become a cage, and

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

Schmidt sent all of you, didn’t he?” Nicholas’ temples throbbed. The question hung heavy in the

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

survival instinct urged

why we came to you. We

not now,” Nicholas pleaded, his voice laced

I need

a pity our employer wants you dead regardless. Take

charged

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

with the

find its mark. A searing pain erupted in his