The moment Chen and I step out of the room, a cold breeze slaps against my skin. I brace myself, heart pounding, for the chaos waiting just beyond the door. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I roll to the side, narrowly avoiding a hail of bullets ripping through the air. Behind the cover of a crumbling wall, screams and curses ring out in sharp Chinese.
Chen dives beside me without hesitation. I force myself to stay calm as more bullets whiz past, their deadly rhythm echoing in my ears. Gritting my teeth, I spin around and fire—my shot finds a man ascending the stairs, hitting him square in the shoulder.
Chen grins, cocking his gun and finishing the job with a precise shot to the head. "You've got a pretty good aim."
I shrug, trying to sound casual. "Learned to shoot when I was twelve."
Best. Lesson. Ever.
Chen raises an eyebrow in surprise. "What?"
"Held a gun when I was nine," I admit, voice low but steady.
His eyes widen. "Are you serious?"
I nod. "I know my way around a gun. Don't worry about me. Just look after yourself."
He bites his lip, torn. "I don't want to leave you, but I need to find my brothers."
I wave him off with a firm hand. "Go. You've got a role to play. I'll be fine."
"Get yourself out of here. I'll meet you up front."
I nod just as three more men step forward, guns blazing. Bullets tear through the air—then, one by one, the attackers fall, splattered with blood and dust. Seizing my chance, I grab my gun and fire a precise shot right between the legs of one of Li Wei's men. He crumples, screaming in pain.
I crouch, ready to move forward when out of the corner of my eye I spot movement. Quick as a flash, I shoot—a bullet to the eye. He screams, clutching his face. I step over him as he sobs like a child, and with a cold smile, I fire four shots into his head.
"Are you Maggie?" a voice calls from behind.
Gun raised, I spin around and find myself staring down the barrel of another weapon.
I don't hesitate. "Who are you?"
He lowers his gun, sighing with relief. "Your father sent me. Name's Taka."
I nod silently, signalling him to lead. We move cautiously, but before we can put distance between us and danger, a bullet rips through Taka's chest. Fury boils inside me. I holster my gun and fire a shot into the attacker's mouth, silencing him instantly.
Dropping to my knees beside Taka, I press my hands against his blood-soaked shirt. "Get up!"
He grimaces. "I'm not going to make it."
"Not on my watch." I shake my head and quickly search him for anything useful. My fingers close around a throwing knife. Without hesitation, I plunge it into the wound.
"Sorry, this is going to hurt."
He hisses, a low roar of pain tearing from his throat as I dig the bullet free. Finally, I toss it aside, help him to his feet, and loop his arm over my shoulder.
Around us, the chaos swells—screams, prayers, gunfire—a storm of desperation. With guns drawn, we push forward, inching toward the front door. Dust hangs thick in the air, mixing with the stench of sweat and gunpowder. How long has this hell been raging? I want nothing more than to get out alive.
"We've got to go!"
"Go! Save yourself!" Taka shouts, but I shake my head.
"Taka, which way?"
He coughs, points straight ahead. "Straight on."
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Three rounds slam into the wood nearby, sending splinters and dust into the air. The smoke stings my lungs, forcing a harsh cough. I raise my pistol and empty the clip into a shadowed figure hiding in a side room—point-blank, no mercy. The man screams, collapsing dead.
Step by step, I move forward, one arm around Taka, the other gripping my gun. Rounding the corner, I freeze. Three large men stand blocking our path, lined up like sentinels. Another man lurks near the exit, cutting off any chance of escape.
"Shit." I murmur.
One of the guards laughs, a cruel sound. "Yup. That pretty much sums up what's left of your life." He smirks, calling out, "Yuta! Look what we've found."
The men part, and a tall figure steps forward. Yuta moves with cold confidence, his white shirt stained red where blood seeps from a wound on his shoulder. Our eyes lock, and he studies me with quiet curiosity.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asks.
"Home," I snap.
Yuta spreads his arms wide. "This is your home. With us. With me."
I scoff, lifting my gun. "I don't think so. I'm getting out of here."
He gestures toward Taka. "With him slowing you down? Don't think you'll get far, sweetheart."
I bare my teeth. "Let us pass. One wrong move and I'll pull the trigger. Don't think I won't."
Yuta shakes his head. "You won't get out of here. Every one of your father's men are dead. Drop your gun. Now."
"No."
"I won't ask again."
"Then don't."
I take a step forward, steady despite Taka's grip. Suddenly, a bullet tears through the air, striking Taka between the eyes. I spin toward the shooter—Kang—smirking with his gun smoking in hand. Blood splatters across my face. Taka's body crumples.
Grief and rage collide inside me. I charge Kang, determined to kill him. He raises his gun—but before he can fire again, a bullet hits him in the shoulder. He falls, clutching the wound.
Smoke curls from Yuta's gun.
He just shot his own brother.
"Brother!" Kang yells, pointing his gun at Yuta.
Bang—another shot rings out, narrowly missing Kang's foot.
"Fuck!" Kang snarls.
Everyone turns to see Chen standing firm, gun trained on his younger brother.
"What the fuck, Chen?" Kang growls.
Chen doesn't answer, moving silently toward me.
"Where the hell have you been?" Yuta demands.
Chen comes to my side, frowning.
"What are you doing, Chen?" Yuta asks.
Chen steps protectively in front of me, gun ready. "Choosing a side, brother."
My heart stops.
Frozen between Yuta and Chen, my feet refuse to move.
"Why?" Yuta demands.
Chen pushes me behind him, shielding me like a shield.
Yuta watches silently, then shakes his head, voice dripping with disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me. The spy."
Chen points his gun at Yuta. "I never wanted to be the bad guy."
"And Hao? What about him?" Yuta presses.
"Innocent," Chen says quietly.
Yuta scowls. "What have you done, little brother?"
"I want out," Chen replies firmly.
"Think about what Father will say when he realizes what you've done—conspiring behind our backs. You'll never be forgiven."
"Good. I hate this life."
Yuta sighs heavily. "We were born into this, Chen. We don't get to choose."
"I don't care! I don't want this. Never wanted it."
A tense silence.
"Chen..." Yuta starts.
"No! I won't be a dog, waiting for orders. I'm done following Father's commands."
"Watch your words!" Yuta snaps.
Chen ignores him. "I don't listen to you—or anyone—anymore."
Yuta's eyes darken. "Think hard. Is this really worth it?"
Chen sneers. "I'd die before I let him control me again."
Yuta steps forward. "Apologize."
"Not a chance," Chen growls.
"You don't know what you're saying."
"Let her go. We can settle this later."
Yuta laughs coldly. "Do you think I'm a fool? She stays."
From the floor, Kang snickers. "Can't believe our brother's fallen for a whore."
I stride forward, grabbing Kang by the arms and yanking him upright. Pressing my gun hard against his temple, I hiss, "Call me that again and I swear—"
He spits in my face.
I shove him down, wiping the spit off with a grimace. "One day, you'll regret that."
As I turn back to Chen, Kang roars behind me.
"You're a fucking whor—"
Chen's gun is up in an instant. I cover my ears and crouch as the shot echoes.
When I look up, Kang lies still, unmoving.
"Chen!" I cry.
"He was going to kill you," Chen says quietly. "I had no choice."
"He's still your brother," Yuta growls.
"He's not anymore," Chen spits.
"So, that's it? You're leaving this life to run away with her?" Yuta sneers.
Chen pulls me closer. "Her father's a better man than ours will ever be."
Yuta scoffs. "Bull's Eye? No, he's just like Father. Maybe worse."
Chen shakes his head. "I'm taking her home."
Yuta gestures to his men. "Good luck. You won't get far."
"Brother, after what we've done… let her go."
"She's a whore! She doesn't go anywhere!"
I shout, "Stop calling me that!"
Yuta snaps, "I'll call you whatever I want."
Chen steps forward, still holding my hand. "What do you want?"
"To know where your loyalties lie."
Chen chuckles bitterly. "You already know."
"What are you doing?" Yuta asks.
"She didn't deserve any of this. She's innocent."
Yuta looks away, jaw tight.
"That's why I'm leaving with her."
"How romantic," Yuta drawls, raising his gun and pulling the trigger.
The hall erupts with gunfire.
Bullets tear through the air and slam into Chen's chest.
"No!" I scream as he collapses.
His face blanks in shock, disbelief freezing his lips.
I stagger forward, hands clamped over my mouth, dropping to his side.
"Chen! No!"
Footsteps approach.
"I gave him a choice. He picked wrong."
I glare at Yuta. "Even if he'd chosen you, you'd have killed him. He never had a choice."
He just smirks.
I raise my gun. "I'm not going with you."
Yuta tenses. "You don't have a choice."
I stand tall, eyes blazing. "Then I guess I have nothing left to live for."
"What are you saying?" Yuta spits.
My voice cracks. "I give up. I meant what I said—I'd rather die than be your whore."
He chuckles low. "You always were."
"Just kill me," I whisper, fear thick in my voice. "Please."
He arches a brow. "And if I don't?"
Tears spill down my face, teeth bared in defiance. "Then I'll shoot you."
He shrugs, amused. "Fine. Have it your way."
Without a word, Yuta pulls the trigger.
Bang!