ilence. Alex felt his heart stop as he instinctively dove to the side, pulling Emilia down

Emilia as he rolled into co

sing the marble counter as cover. The tension was suffocating as Alex

ruder called out, his voice d

ning shot. The bullet grazed the edge of th

utching her knees to her chest.

owled, his mind working in overdri

uder's position. Alex took advantage, firing another round

demanded, his voice s

low, eerie sound. "You'll f

is body low, his gun trained on the man's last known position. The kitchen wa

r. He spun around, his finger on the trigger-only to realize it was a distracti

from Alex's grasp and skidding across the floor. The intruder was strong,

. He landed a sharp elbow to the intruder's jaw, followed by a knee to his ri

's wrist, their strength evenly matched as they struggled for control. The knif

eamed, her voice p

im to drop the knife. It clattered to the ground, but the intruder wasn't do

ttering under their weight. Pain shot through Alex's

ed a punch that sent the intruder reeling, but the man r

his eye, Alex saw E

houted, but she wa

into the intruder's shoulder. The man howled in pa

ow, his fist connecting with the man's temple.

feet. He looked at Emilia, who was shaking vio

d, his voice softer

she dropped the knife, her hands

n's mask. The face beneath was unfamiliar-sharp features, a scar running

his neck: a black circle

round syndicate-one that Declan had mentioned in passing years ago

p tie from a drawer and securing the man's

-

ex's living room, his head slumped forward. Victor arrived

a rough night," Victo

eplied, pacing the room. "

bad news, Alex. They don't get involved unles

s," Alex said. "I'm sure of it

uched in front of the unconscious man

open. When he saw Alex and Victor, hi

dripping from the corner of his mouth. "You'

ard, his voice ic

g. "You're barking up the wrong tree

him to look at Alex. "Answer the que

u think you can stop this? You're nothing but a pa

the man's collar, yanking him forwar

wn Alex's spine. "You're too late, Knight. By the time

the man bit down hard on so

, but it was too late. Foam bubbled from his lips,

ed, throwing the chair

mind reeling. The Syndicate had made t

only the