The world had narrowed to a single goal; Kill Volkov.
Dominic sprinted up the unfinished metal stairs, his footsteps echoing in the half-built structure. Above him, Volkov's silhouette disappeared into the shadows, his laughter lingering in the air like a challenge.
Gunfire still raged behind him Alyssa and the others fighting their way to Marcus but Dominic didn't slow down. Not this time.
He reached the top level, a skeletal platform of steel beams and scaffolding. The city lights stretched out below, glittering like distant stars. A strong gust of wind whistled through the gaps, rattling the loose metal.
Then, a slow clap.
Volkov emerged from the shadows, dressed in his signature dark suit, hands tucked in his pockets as if they weren't in the middle of a warzone.
"You just don't give up, do you?" Volkov mused, tilting his head. "I'll admit, Dominic, I almost respect that."
Dominic raised his gun. "Shame I can't say the same about you."
Volkov smirked. "Oh, come on. After everything we've been through? You're telling me you don't find this little game of ours exciting?"
Dominic's finger hovered over the trigger. "You destroyed lives. Tortured innocent people. And now, you came back from the dead just to prove a point?"
Volkov sighed, shaking his head. "It's never just about revenge, Dominic. It's about making sure you understand why you lost."
Dominic fired.
Volkov was fast. He ducked, the bullet whizzing past his head, and in the same motion, he lunged.
They crashed into a stack of steel pipes, Dominic's gun knocked from his grip as Volkov slammed him against a rusted beam. The Russian's strength was brutal, years of training and raw power behind every strike.
Dominic gritted his teeth, twisting out of the hold and driving his fist into Volkov's ribs. The impact made the man grunt, but he barely staggered.
Volkov grinned. "That all you got?"
Dominic wiped blood from his mouth. "Not even close."
They clashed again, fists flying in a brutal, no-holds-barred brawl.
Dominic blocked a punch and countered with an elbow to Volkov's jaw. Volkov barely flinched, grabbing Dominic's arm and twisting it behind his back before slamming him into a metal beam.
Pain exploded through Dominic's ribs, but he used the momentum, kicking backward and knocking Volkov off balance.
They grappled, feet skidding on the steel surface. Below them, the city stretched out like an abyss, a deadly drop waiting for whoever lost.
Volkov's eyes gleamed. "You know, I really thought she would be the one to finish me off."
Dominic's blood ran cold. "Alyssa?"
Volkov smirked. "She hates me. And for good reason. But you? You're the one who let her down."
The words hit harder than any punch.
Dominic growled and drove Volkov back, landing two fast blows to his stomach before slamming his head into the steel railing.
Volkov wiped his bleeding lip, chuckling. "Touched a nerve, did I?"
Dominic didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed Volkov by the collar and shoved him toward the edge of the scaffolding.
Volkov teetered, arms flailing for balance.
For the first time, his grin faltered.
Dominic leveled his gaze. "I should kill you right now."
Volkov's smirk returned, blood staining his teeth. "Then do it."
Dominic's grip tightened.
Then.....
Gunfire.
Alyssa's voice in his earpiece. "Dominic! We need backup... Marcus is hurt!"
Dominic hesitated.
Volkov saw it. Took advantage of it.
With a quick, ruthless move, he twisted free and slammed his elbow into Dominic's throat.
Dominic stumbled, coughing.
By the time he steadied himself, Volkov was gone, his footsteps vanishing into the night.
Dominic cursed. Not again.
But there was no time to chase him. Alyssa needed him.
Dominic sprinted back down the stairs, his body aching from the fight. When he reached the lower level, chaos greeted him.
Marcus was on the ground, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Eleanor was crouched beside him, applying pressure. Julian was behind cover, laying down suppressive fire.
And Alyssa....
Alyssa was furious.
She moved like a storm, her twin pistols firing with deadly precision, taking down Volkov's men one by one. Her jaw was clenched, her eyes blazing with rage and desperation.
Dominic had never seen her more terrifying. Or more beautiful.
He dropped behind cover next to her. "What's the situation?"
She barely spared him a glance. "We need to get Marcus out. But they've got snipers on the south side."
Dominic peeked out, spotting two figures on a rooftop. Dammit.
He looked back at Alyssa, his mind racing. "I'll draw their fire. You take them out."
She grabbed his wrist. "Are you insane?"
He smirked. "Little bit."
Before she could argue, he was already moving.
Dominic sprinted into the open, drawing the snipers' attention. The moment their rifles shifted toward him, Alyssa fired one shot.
Then another.
Both snipers dropped.
Alyssa let out a breath. "Clear!"
Eleanor and Julian pulled Marcus to his feet. He gritted his teeth. "I'm fine. Just move."
They fought their way to the exit, dodging gunfire as they piled into the getaway car. Julian floored it, tires screeching as they sped away.
Dominic exhaled, glancing at Alyssa. "You okay?"
She turned to him, her expression unreadable.
Then....
She grabbed his shirt and kissed him.
Hard.
It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle. It was desperate, fierce, and filled with every unsaid emotion between them.
When she pulled away, her voice was raw. "Next time, don't ever pull a stunt like that again."
Dominic grinned, breathless. "Can't make any promises."
Alyssa rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched.
Marcus groaned from the backseat. "If you two are gonna make out, at least wait until I'm not actively bleeding to death."
Eleanor snorted. "Shut up, Marcus."
They sped into the night, leaving the destruction behind.
But Dominic knew this wasn't over.
Not yet.
Volkov was still out there.
And next time, there wouldn't be any second chances.