As Odie''s crew rolled in, the tension in the room thickened like a fog.


    "Just give it up," Odie said coolly, his voice carrying a chill that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. "Your guys have been stopped by mine. They''re not getting in, and they sure can''t protect you." The man let out a coldugh. "So, after all this dancing around, it was a setup, huh? Like they say, the new waves push the old ones aside... But you really think I didn''te with a backup n?"


    Sophie felt her gut twist as she realized something was amiss.


    Before she could do anything, a gun barrel kissed the back of her head with its icy touch, sending her nerves into overdrive.


    Jenna''s voice cut through the air, furious and sharp. "Kiran! What are you doing?"


    Odie''s face turned stormy in an instant.


    Kiran''s face was a mask of calm, the earlier panic reced by a smirk that suggested he was enjoying the show.


    "Bro!" Sandy was frozen in shock.


    Colby, standing nearby, was frowning hard. Instinctively, he took a step forward, but the sight of the gun aimed at Sophie held him back. His fingers tightened around the grip of his own gun, waiting for the right moment. Kiran''s smirk widened just a bit. "Colby, don''t do anything stupid. Sure, you''re fast with that gun, but are you willing to bet Sophie''s life on it?"


    Adler pointed an using finger at Kiran, his voice thick with betrayal. "Kiran, why did you turn on us?"


    Kiran shrugged, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "A bitte for those kinds of questions, don''t you think? People chase money like birds chase food; we''re all in this for ourselves."


    He raised an eyebrow. "And frankly, exining it to you is a waste of time. Ms. Sophie, I suggest you cooperate... or one twitch, and you''re off to meet your maker."


    James watched the scene unfold, his fists clenching without him even realizing it.


    "Mr. Angelo," the man said in a gravelly voice, "no point in chit-chatting. Let''s get out of here with our crew."


    Kiran said nothing, just pressed the gun a little harder against Sophie''s neck. Sandy looked like she''d seen a ghost.


    "Hold up."


    Colby''s voice broke the tension, making Kiran pause.


    Colby turned his gun on Sandy, his voice icy. "Leave her, or the kid gets it."


    Sandy''s eyes filled with tears, her voice barely a whisper, "Brother..."


    bet


    Kiran nced sideways at Sandy,, his eyes showing nothing but a hint of amusement, like he was enjoying a twisted game. "You want to try something? Be my guest."


    "Bro!"


    "But remember," Kiran said, "if Sandy goes down, so does Sophie. If you''re keen on seeing Sophie dead, I


    guarantee you''ll get your wise re


    swn by


    "Colby! Don''t!" Sophie''s voice cut through the air, making Colby freeze.


    "They need me alive for now," Sophie said. "I''m not dead yet."


    Jenna looked like she''d been punched in the gut. "Sophie..."


    Kiran, clearly done with the dramatics, said, "Let''s move."


    As Kiran started to lead Sophie away, gun still firmly in ce, Odie made a move to snatch it. Colby, picking up on Odie''s cue, sprang into action to face off with Kiran.


    Before he could get far, James stepped in front of him, blocking his path.


    Kiran let out augh, the gun moving like it was an extension of him, agile and ready for whatever came next.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.