e masked man's smug posture. Each number counted d

," the masked man taunted. "Heroics

der the explosion's force. Victor and Emilia were clear, but he wasn't s

man said, his finger h

oud his judgment. His eyes darted to the rafters above, spotting a set of ex

d settle this like a man?" Alex

s so predictable. But I don't n

right. You don't. Beca

faltered, just for a momen

llet struck true, rupturing the line and sending a jet of pressurized steam i

the detonator. The ti

man emerged from the steam, his g

the man

or and yanked the wiring loose, severing the

n the air. Then the masked m

is weapon slightly. "But you're st

masked man to the ground. The two of them grappled, f

d, throwing a punch that Alex barely dodged.

th the man's jaw, silenc

from Alex's grip. He scrambled to hi

two of them circled each other, the ten

man said, his voice dripping with malice. "Everyt

wed. "What are yo

"Ask her yourself

xplosives detonated, this time in the far corner of the warehouse. The force of t

ntage of the chaos, disa

d to his feet. The fire was spreading fast, co

a gamble as the floor threatened to give way. The exit loomed

ched it, he heard a

f the operatives was pinned beneath

screamed at him to leave, to

an's side, ignorin

said, grabbing th

fusion flickering in his eyes. "

ng against the weight of the be

he freed the man and

, shoving him t

e told twice. He stumbled out,

he pavement just as the warehous

a halt nearby, and he ju

shouted, ru

d, his voice hoarse.

helping Alex to his feet.

aint smirk. "Fee

Victor driving them away

Alex's mind returned to

nk you know about

n the backseat, unc

quietly. "We need

expression grim.

, the flames of the wareho

th," he said. "No ma

Contin