Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Late at night, the police station office was illuminated only by the eerie glow of a computer screen. It displayed Jameson's interview after his bail.

Nicholas, haggard-looking, stared at the screen. An overflowing ashtray sat beside him.

He pursed his lips, his trembling fingers dialing Jameson's number. To his surprise, it was engaged. Despair clenched his heart as he gripped the phone tighter.

Nicholas slumped on the couch, his eyes squeezed shut. Throughout his lifetime, he had faced horrors untold, his hands stained with the blood of many. Yet, none of it prepared him for the soul-crushing despair that threatened to consume him now. This was the darkest night of his life.

Four agonizing days passed in this state. Then, one night, his phone rang. It was Natalie's doctor.

"Mr. Novak, your wife had a sudden episode! She's unstable. Please come to the hospital immediately!"

"Is she okay?" Nicholas shot up, grabbing his coat and rushing toward the door.

"Mrs. Novak is in the ER. We'll discuss details when you arrive!"

Nicholas reached for the doorknob as the call ended. He hesitated, feeling the weight of a loaded gun in his pocket. It was a tempting deterrent, a promise of defense. But using it meant wading into a deeper swamp. Every shot, every bullet casing left behind, would be another clue for the police to follow, a neon sign pointing straight back to him and his tangled web of secrets with Jameson.

Cyrus, a rising star in the force, reminded Nicholas of his younger self. Given time, Cyrus would surely uncover their shady business.

More importantly, he lacked the stomach to defy Jameson; even if he had the courage, he couldn't afford to do so.

blink at taking a life, and Nicholas had known this partnership was a dance with the

bleak. But he had no choice. His wife, his

desk, and

hospital in his black SUV but screeched to a halt in a deserted alley. At the

figures in black emerged from the car. Two laid a

not an option; a single wrong move

blazed with fury. He gritted his teeth, threw the car into reverse, and slammed on

trapped prey. Realizing that

temples throbbed. The question

marked man and Jasper and Alyssa were determined to

in a web of enemies. Confronted by imminent danger, his primal survival instinct urged him to eliminate the threat-Nicholas. Nicholas understood Jameson's ruthlessness, but tonight wasn't the time for him to meet his

to you. We wouldn't be here unless we have the guts and muscles to back it up. Cooperate, and your end

now," Nicholas pleaded, his voice laced with urgency.

a pity our employer

charged at

Nicholas with their blades,

however, was a cruel mistress slowing his reflexes just enough for a blade to find its mark. A searing pain erupted in his left arm as a knife sliced deep, bone glinting

this time of a blade, hurled right