Chapter 454
Chapter 454:
“I just do the work,” the man said pleasantly. “If you want to know who paid for it, you’d have to ask them.” He raised the gun. “Though I don’t think you’re going to get that opportunity p>
Davin stepped in front of her and leveled his weapon at the man.
The assassin looked at him with a kind of professional contempt — and fired.
The shot was precisely placed, aimed directly at Davin’s heart. Davin grabbed Kristine and they rolled clear together, and he returned fire in the same motion.
The assassin adjusted without blinking. His next shot caught Davin in the wrist — perfectly aimed, absolutely deliberate.
The impact was immediate. Davin’s gun spun out of his hand and skittered across the pavement.
He ignored the pain and pushed forward on his knees, reaching for the weapon.
The cold pressure of a barrel against his forehead stopped him.
He looked up.
The man stood over him, studying him with something close to genuine regret. “You’re skilled. Better than most I’ve encountered. But not quite fast enough.” He paused. “You’re young. You might have become exceptional. It’s a shame I can’t let that happen p>
𝖡𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝗇
He pulled the trigger.
The gunshot tore through the empty street.
And Kristine screamed.
It was not Davin who fell.
It was the killer — dropping heavily to the pavement, his weapon skittering away from his hand.
Kristine stood frozen. It took her a moment to process what had happened, and when she finally lifted her eyes, she saw three figures standing roughly thirty feet away.
She would have recognized the one in the middle anywhere.
Colton.
She tried to move, to run — but her legs had nothing left in them.
In the time it took her to register that fact, Colton had already crossed the distance and was standing directly in front of her. His eyes moved over her quickly, checking. “Are you hurt p>
Kristine stared at him. Her lips pressed together and she couldn’t form a single word.
Colton’s gaze shifted to Davin, who had been shielding her the entire time. His brow drew together, and the crease between his eyes deepened.
“Take him,” he said coldly.
Two guards moved forward immediately.
The instant their hands closed around Davin’s arm, he erupted — twisting, struggling, resisting with every ounce of strength he had left. Blood was seeping from his wrist, sliding through his clenched fingers and dripping onto the pavement.
At the sight of it, Kristine forced herself upright and stepped in front of Davin, putting her body between him and the guards. “Don’t touch him p>
The guards stopped and looked to Colton for direction.
Colton’s eyes narrowed.
After a moment, the tension in his fists released. “His wrist took a bullet. Without proper treatment soon, he could lose the use of his arm entirely. Is that what you want p>
Kristine’s expression wavered.
Behind her, Davin’s voice came through ragged and weak. “Ms. Green. I’m fine p>