Liam's heart pounded like a war drum as he assessed the situation. The armed men surrounded him and Tielen, their weapons gleaming under the dim lighting. Evelyn stood in front of them, her lips curled into a victorious smirk.
"You've always been naive, Liam," Evelyn said, her voice smooth, almost mocking. "Did you really think you could walk in here, demand answers, and leave unscathed?"
Liam clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had prepared for many scenarios, but he hadn't expected Evelyn to be this bold. Not here. Not now.
Tielen's hand hovered near his concealed weapon, his posture tense. He was ready to fight, but Liam knew this wasn't the right moment. The odds were against them. They needed to think.
Evelyn took a slow step forward, heels clicking against the marble floor. "But I admire your determination," she continued. "It's almost… entertaining."
Liam's eyes flickered to the men surrounding them. Professionals. Their stance, their weapons—these weren't ordinary bodyguards. They were killers.
"You want me dead, Evelyn?" Liam asked, voice steady despite the chaos bubbling beneath his skin. "Then why not just kill me now?"
Evelyn laughed softly. "Oh, Liam. Killing you now would be too easy. No, I want you to watch everything crumble. I want you to understand that you were never meant to win this game."
Liam's grip tightened on the small blade hidden in his sleeve. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing him break.
"You talk too much," Tielen muttered beside him.
Liam almost smirked. Tielen always had a way of cutting through the noise.
Evelyn's expression darkened slightly. "Enough. Take them," she ordered.
The men moved in.
Liam and Tielen exploded into motion.
Liam ducked, twisting his body as he slammed his elbow into the nearest man's throat. The man stumbled back, choking. Tielen had already drawn his weapon, firing two precise shots, dropping two of the guards instantly.
The room erupted into chaos.
Liam grabbed the fallen man's gun, rolling behind a leather couch as bullets tore through the air. He fired back, forcing Evelyn's men to take cover.
Tielen moved like a shadow, weaving through the chaos, striking with lethal precision. But there were too many of them.
Liam's mind raced. They couldn't fight their way out of this. Not without a plan.
Then, through the madness, his eyes locked onto Evelyn. She stood near the door, untouched, watching the chaos with cold amusement.
Liam gritted his teeth. He needed to get to her.
He signaled to Tielen. His friend nodded, understanding instantly.
Cover me.
Tielen moved, drawing fire away from Liam as he sprinted toward Evelyn.
Evelyn's smirk faltered as she realized what was happening.
Liam reached her in seconds, grabbing her by the wrist and twisting her arm behind her back. "Call them off," he growled.
She laughed, even as he held her in place. "You really think this will change anything?"
"I think you should look around," Liam shot back.
Evelyn's eyes flickered to the room. Half her men were down, the rest hesitating. Tielen had already positioned himself strategically, ready to take out anyone who moved.
For the first time, doubt flashed across Evelyn's face.
Liam leaned in, his voice low. "This isn't over. And the next time we meet, I won't be so merciful."
He shoved her away and signaled to Tielen.
They moved swiftly, disappearing into the night before the remaining guards could recover.
As they vanished into the shadows, Liam knew one thing for certain.
The game had truly begun.
Liam and Tielen moved swiftly through the dimly lit corridors of the high-rise building, their footsteps silent against the polished floors. They had created enough chaos to buy themselves a few minutes, but Evelyn's men wouldn't stay down for long.
Tielen pressed his earpiece. "Exit?"
Liam's mind worked quickly. They couldn't take the elevators—too predictable. The stairwell would be their best bet.
"Stairs," he murmured. "We need to—"
A gunshot rang out, the bullet striking the wall inches from Liam's head. He cursed, yanking Tielen behind a corner as more shots followed.
"Looks like they're done playing," Tielen muttered, reloading his weapon.
Liam exhaled sharply. They had to move—now.
He spotted a nearby maintenance panel and ripped it open, exposing a network of electrical switches and wires. Without hesitation, he cut the power to the floor, plunging the hallway into darkness.
Shouts erupted from Evelyn's guards as they scrambled in the sudden blackness.
Liam grabbed Tielen's arm. "Go."
They sprinted down the hallway, using the cover of darkness to their advantage. The stairwell was just ahead.
As they reached the door, it suddenly burst open—two armed men blocking their path.
Liam didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, grabbing the first man's wrist and twisting it sharply, forcing the gun from his grip. The second man swung at him, but Liam ducked, driving his knee into the attacker's stomach before slamming his elbow into his jaw.
Tielen finished off the first man with a swift strike to the throat, sending him crumpling to the floor.
Liam grabbed the fallen gun and kicked open the stairwell door. "Move."
They descended quickly, taking the steps two at a time.
Below them, more voices echoed upward—reinforcements were coming.
Tielen glanced at Liam. "Ideas?"
Liam's eyes flickered to the floor numbers. They were still too high up to jump, but if they could reach the parking level…
"Basement," Liam said.
They pushed forward, weaving through stairwells as gunfire erupted above. Bullets ricocheted off metal railings, but they didn't stop.
By the time they burst into the underground parking lot, alarms were blaring. Liam's car was across the lot, but they weren't alone.
Three black SUVs were parked near the exit, their engines running. More men.
Liam's grip tightened on the stolen gun. They were outnumbered, but they had no choice.
Tielen nodded at him, a smirk playing at his lips. "Ready?"
Liam exhaled. "Always."
Then, they charged.
---
The sound of screeching tires echoed through the streets as Liam and Tielen sped away from the building. The city lights blurred past them, but their focus remained sharp.
Tielen checked the rearview mirror. "We lost them… for now."
Liam leaned back, his hands still gripping his weapon. "It's not over."
He stared out the window, his mind replaying the events of the night. Evelyn's words lingered in his head.
No, I want you to watch everything crumble.
Liam clenched his jaw.
If Evelyn wanted a war, she would get one.