Page 8 of Ruthless Kings of Obsession

When her eyes lock with mine, I see how they widen and how much affection pools in them. I feel like this won’t be our last time together, and yet a part of me fears it could be.

That we’ll be pulled apart to two different spectrums…

Lost…to never be found again…

I’ve only sensed this feeling once before.

The night my family was murdered…

I ignore the lump forming in my throat, and I lean in until my forehead presses against hers.

“Zan…”

“You tell me when we meet again, hmm?” I urge her with all my heart. “When we’re out of this chaos.”

I hear the first step before I sense Eva’s body go rigid.

Show time.

I spin just as the first attacker lunges, my body feeling rejuvenated despite exerting so much during the hockey game. My elbow connects with their jaw, sending them stumbling back with a grunt. Five more emerge from the shadows — all in black tactical gear with face masks, hiding their obvious identity.

They were waiting.

It only makes me smile, but it also makes me realize we’re seriously outnumbered. My girl may be an assassin, but these fuckers are all triple her size. She could take out at least three, but not without consequences.

I look over my shoulder and immediately hear the footsteps of two other individuals.

Seven.

Too many.

"Run!" I shout to Eva, noticing the immediate defiance that shows in her expression. I know she wants to stay behind, but whatever expression I give in return pushes her to obey my command.

She attempts to sprint forward, but more figures appear at the other end of the alley, blocking her escape — leaving her no choice but to still and begin to back up just like I do.

Our backs press together, my eyes on one end and her eyes on another. My heart hammers against my ribs, my blood pumping so fast, my ears are ringing loudly.

We're surrounded…

But we’re not going out without a fight.

The first man comes at me again, and I’m ready to go into full-on fight mode.

Even with what’s left of my bulky gear, I manage to duck his swing and drive my knee into his stomach. Years of street fighting and endless murders combined with hockey reflexes make me deadly in close combat, which is why he goes down with ease, followed by three other douches who are down before I can even spin around.

I hear Eva’s gasp followed by a grunt, prompting me to sprint forward as I watch her taking down a big 6’4” fucker. She’s literally on his shoulders, slitting his throat which leaves him in a gurgling mess of blood. He drops with her, the two falling to the ground — encouraging the other two watching the chaos attempt to rush at her.

"You're not fucking touching her," I snarl, grabbing another attacker's arm and using his momentum to slam him into the wall. The crack of his skull against the brick is sickeningly satisfying, just like the round kick I give the other bastard to his chin — making him fall back flat on the ground.

Eva screams, and I whip around to see two more men trying to grab her. She's not going down without a fight — her assassin skills showing as she drives her elbow into one's throat and stamps her heel into the other's instep.

That's my girl.

Pride surges through me even as I grapple with another assailant. I’m coming to realize these aren't some random thugs —their movements are too coordinated, too precise. This is a professional extraction team, meaning someone paid some big benjamins to get this shit organized so swiftly.

Who could be helping Domino? Unless this is a new assailant who wants our girl?

"Z-Zander!" Eva's voice carries panic now.

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