"Yes, that's true," Killer replied, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Only two people have ever tried to kill me in my entire life, and I skinned them both alive with my own hands. With the kind of power and influence I have built over the years, you don't stand a chance of even scratching someone like me. Despite everything you've done to me tonight, I can still overlook it all.""You really think I can't hurt you?" Liam asked, his body turning to face Killer directly. His eyes narrowed as he studied the man before him. "What makes you believe you're so untouchable? You've been doing all of this without facing any consequences for over twenty years now, but today..."He smiled slowly, taking a deliberate step forward toward Killer. "I'm going to break your spine and make you crawl on the floor like a wounded dog. I will make you beg me with tears in your eyes to spare your miserable life. And when that moment comes, at the very end..."He looked down at the weapon in

Liam's footsteps echoed through the room as he moved closer, each deliberate step building the tension between them. The leather of his shoes whispered against the concrete floor, announcing his approach.He stopped just inches from where Killer lay crumpled against the wall, his voice low and steady. "I'm going to show you what real pain feels like."The silence that followed was thick with anticipation. Liam continued his advance until he towered over Killer's broken form. Then he lowered himself slowly, crouching down until they were eye level. His voice dropped to barely above a whisper."Have you ever been beaten to a pulp? Not just hurt, but completely destroyed?" He paused, letting the question hang in the air. "Because today, you're going to find out exactly what that feels like. I'm going to make you regret every choice that brought you to this moment before I finish you."Despite his injuries, Killer managed a thin smile that spread across his bloodied face. There was still

Liam reached down and grabbed Killer by the front of his shirt, hauling him up with both hands. Killer's head lolled to the side, but his eyes locked onto Liam's. There was defiance still burning in them, even though his body had taken a brutal beating."You're making this harder than it needs to be," Liam said, his voice carrying a note of genuine frustration. He shoved Killer backward, sending him stumbling across the concrete floor until he hit one of the steel support pillars.Killer crashed against the metal hard enough that the impact echoed through the room. He slid down slightly, catching himself before he fell completely. His breathing was ragged, each inhale seeming to cause him pain. Blood continued to stream from his broken nose, and his left eye was nearly swollen shut now.Elena watched from her corner, her hands clutched together so tightly her knuckles had turned white. She wanted to speak up, to call out information to save herself the pain of watching this, but somet

The screwdriver sank deep into Killer's shoulder, piercing through flesh and muscle. A sound erupted from his throat, part scream and part growl, that echoed off the concrete walls of Elena's living room. His face twisted in agony, veins bulging in his neck as the pain consumed him."AHHHHH!" Killer's voice was raw and primal.Blood spurted from the wound, dark red and thick, staining his already ruined shirt. His legs buckled slightly, but somehow he stayed upright. The screwdriver remained embedded in his shoulder, its yellow handle jutting out at an awkward angle.Liam stepped back, breathing hard. His knuckles were scraped and bleeding, his forearm throbbing from where Killer had hit him with the wooden plank earlier. But he was still standing strong, still ready for whatever came next.Killer's good eye, the one that wasn't swollen completely shut, fixed on Liam with pure hatred burning in its depths. His hand reached up slowly, trembling violently, and wrapped around the screwdr

Liam didn't answer immediately. He finished typing his final message, waited for the confirmation buzz, then slipped his phone back into his pocket. When he looked up at Elena, his expression was calm and reassuring."I'm calling in some help," he said simply. "Mr. Khan didn't send me here alone and unprepared. There are contingencies in place for situations exactly like this one.""Contingencies?" Elena repeated the word like it was foreign to her. "What kind of contingencies?""The kind that ensure your family stays safe," Liam replied. He glanced at his watch, noting the time with a slight nod. "My associates are already moving on the warehouse where your children are being held. They'll have them secured within ten minutes, maybe less."Killer laughed from his chair, though the sound came out as more of a wet cough. "You're lying. You're making this up to keep her calm. There's no way—""Room Seven, east docks, warehouse district," Liam interrupted, his voice cutting through Kille