Chapter 2 - The Alleyway Escape
The manager cocked the heavy shotgun with a terrifying metallic click.
Roman reacted with pure instinct, diving forward and sweeping the manager's legs from underneath him.
The shotgun blasted a massive hole into the ceiling, raining plaster and dust down over the kitchen.
Nora stepped forward and delivered a brutal kick to the manager's head, instantly knocking him unconscious.
She grabbed Roman by the arm and shoved him out into the freezing, rain-slicked alleyway.
Sirens were already wailing in the distance, cutting through the damp city air.
Roman leaned against the brick wall and refused to take another step until she gave him answers.
He stared at the gun in her hand and demanded to know which intelligence agency she worked for.
Nora kept her eyes scanning the dark street as she confessed she was a private corporate extractor.
She explained that Roman's company had secretly hired her to watch him because they suspected his fiancée was a corporate spy.
Roman shook his head in absolute disbelief, claiming Chloe loved him and had nothing to do with his business.
Nora let out a bitter, cynical laugh and told him to open his eyes to the truth.
She explained that Chloe belonged to a ruthless global syndicate that specialized in hostile takeovers through assassination.
Roman felt his stomach drop as the horrifying reality finally began to set in.
He reached into his inner suit pocket to check for the encrypted flash drive that held his company's shadow ledger.
His hand met empty fabric, and a cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
He frantically checked his other pockets, but the drive was completely gone.
He realized Chloe must have pickpocketed him when she hugged him at the table earlier that evening.
The heavy steel kitchen doors suddenly burst open behind them with explosive force.
The three assassins from the dining room stepped into the alley, their weapons raised and ready.
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Standing directly behind them in the pouring rain was Chloe, holding up the silver flash drive with a triumphant smirk.
She casually ordered the men to shoot Roman in the head but to leave his pretty little waitress alive for questioning.
