Walking out of the room, Marshal slid on his gloves, pulled a mask over his face, and tucked a gun inside his shirt. Every step he took carried the calm air of a professional. To anyone watching, he looked like a regular waiter going about his duty. But beneath that disguise, he was a hitman on assignment.He knew the building’s layout by heart. The Couple’s Lounge wasn’t unfamiliar territory to him—these were the kinds of places where his missions always played out. Tonight was no different.Balancing a plate of food in his hand, Marshal steadied his breathing. He forced himself to relax, moving as though he had no intention beyond serving a meal. Confidence was the key, and he wore it well.But just as he approached the lounge entrance, a security guard blocked his path.“Spread your arms. We need to search you.”Marshal’s chest tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. If they searched him, the gun would be exposed, and the mission would collapse before it even began. His mind r

“Tyler!”Aria’s voice cracked as she screamed his name, her hand flying to cover her trembling mouth.She rushed to his side, heart pounding in her chest, and dropped to her knees beside him.“Get up, Tyler. Get up!” she pleaded, shaking his body with both hands, trying to stir any sign of life.But he wasn’t moving.Panic gripped her as she stared at his still form.Her lips trembled. “What’s going on? What do I do? Who do I call?”With shaking hands, she fumbled her phone out of her pocket, quickly dialing the emergency number.Just as the line connected and a voice answered—“Hello… this is the police station—”—someone yanked the phone out of her hand.Aria gasped and looked up.It was Marshal.He stood towering above her, a cruel smirk on his lips. In one hand, he held a dagger. In the other—her phone.“Give me my phone!” Aria snapped, rising to her feet, fury replacing her fear. “You wouldn't want me to sue you! I swear, give it back before I—”She didn’t get to finish.With a s

Aria shook her head in disbelief as the weight of the moment hit her. She glanced down and saw the phone — its screen shattered, unresponsive. It was already damaged. It wouldn’t turn on.Panic rose in her heart. What was she supposed to do now?Scream?But who would hear her from the rooftop?Fight Marshal?She wasn’t a fighter — never had been.And Tyler…Her eyes flicked to where Tyler lay motionless. Marshal had said he was dead, but something deep inside her refused to believe that. Tyler was her last hope.Without hesitation, she dropped the broken phone and staggered toward Tyler’s limp body, her knees nearly buckling beneath her. Her heart pounded wildly as she knelt beside him.Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Marshal wiping his eyes with the edge of his sleeve, momentarily distracted.Now was her only chance.She bent over Tyler and began shaking him, desperation rising with every second.“Wake up, Tyler! Remember what you said to me?” she pleaded, her

Marshal shook his head in panic. He tried to stand, but his legs gave out. All he could do was crawl backward, dragging himself away in desperation.“Don’t do this, Tyler!” he pleaded, voice cracking. “Don’t do this…”But Tyler wasn’t listening. His eyes blazed with fury, teeth clenched so hard it looked like they’d crack. Step by step, he moved toward Marshal.“And why the hell shouldn’t I?” Tyler growled, voice low and deadly. “You’re nothing but a vulnerable beast in a man’s skin. A hitman—no, a MONSTER. You’ve killed thousands. Thousands of people, Marshal! You’ve raped women. Girls. Boys. Even politicians. Who haven’t you touched? Who hasn’t suffered under your filthy hands, Marshal Alevaro?”Marshal’s eyes widened, but no words came. Just fear.“I know who you are. I’ve always known,” Tyler went on, fire in his voice. “Since the days I roamed the streets, your name’s been top of the WANTED list. Murder, rape, torture—you’ve done it all.”He pointed a shaking finger at Marshal, h

The echoing bang on the door sent a jolt through the room. Instantly, both Tyler and Marshal’s eyes darted toward the source of the sound. As the moment tensed, a slow, almost mocking smile curled on Marshal’s lips.“The police are here, Tyler,” Marshal said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “What are you going to do now? Huh? Run? Or surrender like a good little criminal?”He chuckled darkly.Tyler peeled his eyes off the door and turned back to Marshal with a grin of his own. “And what makes you think I’m going to let you walk out of here so easily?” he said, his voice sharp. “What even gingered you into thinking I’m marching to the station with the cops like some obedient fool? Who gave you that kind of audacity?”His tone was mocking, biting—and it made Marshal’s smile vanish in an instant.Marshal had expected fear—perhaps a plea, or at least a flicker of desperation in Tyler’s eyes. But no. Instead, Tyler calmly raised a hand, snapped his fingers, and ordered:“Break the door open.