The MP7's rounds chewed through the air where Derrick's head had been just a moment before. He dove, rolled twice, then came up behind the shooter, driving a knee into his spine. Metal clattered as the deadly weapon skidded away. Then, he seized the man's collar and smashed his face into the side of the car twice, until resistance vanished. "Game over, bastard!" The Glock carrier roared as he charged. But he too was no match, as Derrick caught him mid-step, redirecting his momentum and using it. A hard twist followed by a sharp crack, and the man collapsed unconscious before he hit the ground. One of the SIG carriers fired once, and Derrick felt the heat as the bullet grazed past. He turned, grabbing the nearest body and shoving it forward just as another shot rang out. The round punched into flesh that wasn't his. "Damn it!" The gunman cried as Derrick closed the distance between them. One powerful punch was enough to bring the man down to unconsciousness. Derrick swiftly turne

Soft lights bloomed across the vast Lorenzo gardens, strung between trees and along stone pillars. They cast a warm glow over trimmed hedges and marble paths. Music drifted from discreet speakers just as servers moved with quiet efficiency. What began as a quiet family celebration had loosened into a party filled with late minute invited guests. Derrick stood near an edge of the garden, a glass of untouched drink in his hand. Watching the night party as it unfolded, he arrived at a conclusion that the Lorenzo family loved celebrating milestones in business. And Ivy, whose life was still in some sort of danger, was no different. She moved through the space, laughing freely and greeting invited friends. Derrick watched as she was showered with praises from every corner. "Come on," she said as she spotted him. She ate up the distance between them and looped an arm through his. "You've been hiding for too long." "I'm observing," Derrick replied mildly. In truth, he had been trying t

Moses' special cell was quiet in the way only reinforced concrete could be–thick, airless, and totally stripped of dignity. He lay sprawled on the narrow bed, one hand tucked behind his head as he stared at the stained wall. He did it as though it owed him answers. One knee was bent upward, his leg angled sharply. He had been whistling all day–off-key, taunting the deadly silence he was sentenced to.But it was night now, and he was tired of it. So, he broke his whistling streak with a string of curses that echoed faintly off the quiet walls. "I need to speak to my damn lawyers!" he barked. He waited for ten minutes, then spoke again. "You all dumb asses think this is funny? You have no idea who you're holding!" From a neighbouring cell came one of the dryest laughs Moses had ever heard. "Lawyer?" a voice called out. "And with what money, pretty boy? Nerds like you don't even get voicemail!" Moses' lips curled as he turned sideways. "Laugh while you can, you all. But once I'm o

Derrick looked back at him sharply. "Frederick?" "She ran," Frederick blurted out, his breaths uneven. "Damnit. I'm in pain right now." "She ran?" "Yeah. After them." "After who?" Derrick asked, already knowing he wouldn't like the answer. "The men," Fredrick replied. "She received a fucking call. Then... then she turned to me and said she'd be back, that Ma Lorenzo had been kidnapped." Derrick froze.His hand tightened slightly against the makeshift bandage. "You're saying she received a call and took off after them?" Frederick nodded, shutting his eyes tightly as he let out a painful sound. "As soon as she crossed the gates, I received this freaking gunshot on my shoulder. Figured they were hanging around, and didn't want me to come with her. Bloody orchestrated piece of shit!" He let out another cry of pain. "I'm hurt. Where's the ambulance already?!" "Hold on to the pressure," Derrick told him as he got up to his feet. "I'll be back with a stretcher." With that, he start

Ivy tried to wrench herself free from Derrick's grip. "Let me go!" she cried, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. "The cops have to know, Derrick. Vincent threatened us. He threatened my family! The police must know that!" She struck her first weakly against his chest, more in despair than force. Derrick tightened his hold just enough to steady her, but not to restrain her. "Ivy, just listen to me," he said firmly in a low and unwavering voice. "I know what Vincent said, and we all know exactly what kind of men he and his father are." He paused, taking a deep breath in. "If we go to the cops and tell them about this, the Maguires would surely meddle with the case, and that doesn't protect your grandmother in any way. We'd only provoke the people who took her."God, Ivy, he thought. Just be a bit logical tonight. She shook her head violently. "I don't care. And I won't just sit here and watch–""You won't be sitting," Derrick cut in, softer now. "And you won't be i