Chapter 2 - The Unwanted Guests
The mention of Elias Thorne made my blood run entirely cold.
Elias was my billionaire business partner, the man I had trusted to help me build my real estate empire from the ground up.
I did not have time to wonder why he was sending hitmen to a cheap apartment in the slums.
I lunged forward with explosive speed, relying on the violent street instincts I thought I had buried decades ago.
I grabbed the lead gunman's wrist and twisted it fiercely until the bone snapped with a sickening crack.
The heavy pistol dropped to the floor, and I kicked it under the ancient refrigerator.
The second thug aimed his weapon at my chest, but I used the screaming leader as a human shield.
Two muffled shots absorbed into the heavy tactical vest of the man I was holding.
I shoved the bleeding leader into the second thug, sending them both crashing into the small kitchen table.
Lily screamed in terror and ran to hide beneath her mother's bed.
The third mercenary pulled a combat knife and slashed wildly toward my throat.
I ducked beneath the deadly silver blade and delivered a crushing blow to his knee.
As the man collapsed in agony, I grabbed a heavy iron skillet from the stove and smashed it against his temple.
The entire apartment fell eerily silent, save for the panicked breathing of the two women I had to protect.
I grabbed the second thug by his collar and slammed him violently against the cracked plaster wall.
"Why did Elias send you here?" I roared, pressing my forearm against his throat.
The mercenary coughed up a mixture of blood and saliva, offering me a cruel, defiant grin.
"He did not just send us here, Nathan," the thug gasped out.
"Elias hacked the company mainframe ten minutes ago, framing you for massive corporate fraud."
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He laughed weakly as he delivered the final, devastating blow.
"Your bank accounts are frozen, the police are hunting you, and you are officially a wanted fugitive with a bounty on your head."
