"I told you, am not some kind of woman!" Sam growled, wincing as the thug's grip tightened on her arm. She twisted sharply, bringing her knee up into his stomach. He let out a grunt of pain, stumbling back, but his partner was quicker. A thick arm wrapped around her neck, cutting off her air.
"Keep fighting, and you're dead," the man sneered into her ear.
"You picked the wrong woman," she muttered under her breath, positioning herself defensively. Her side ached where one of them had already landed a hit, but she shoved the pain aside. She needed to focus.
One of the men lunged at her, swinging wildly. Sam ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the blade as it sliced through the air. She used the momentum to drive her knee into his stomach, knocking him backward with a grunt. The second attacker was on her in an instant, landing a punch to her side that sent her reeling against the alley wall.
"You're a tough one," the second thug growled, advancing on her again.
Sam's heart hammered in her chest, but her mind stayed sharp. She could feel the weight of the fight pressing down on her, each breath labored, but the adrenaline kept her moving. She dodged another strike, grabbing a nearby trash can lid and swinging it into the side of his head with all the strength she could muster. He staggered back, clutching his temples.
"Not tough enough for this," he spat, wiping blood from his face.
But Sam wasn't giving him a chance to recover. She kicked his legs out from under him, sending him sprawling to the ground with a thud. The first man was already up again, charging at her with renewed fury. Sam sidestepped him, barely avoiding his blade, and used the alley's narrow walls to her advantage, bouncing off the wall to land a solid kick to his midsection.
Her breath came in ragged gasps as she fought to stay on her feet. The sound of distant footsteps echoing from the street reminded her that more could be coming any minute. She couldn't afford to stick around.
Sam took a step back, her eyes darting between the two men now struggling to rise. She knew she had to end this quickly. Gathering what little strength she had left, she made a final move, kicking one thug square in the face while delivering a quick jab to the other's throat. Both men went down, groaning in pain.
Sam didn't wait to see if they'd get back up.
With blood trickling down her arm and every inch of her body aching, she sprinted toward the alley's exit. Her vision blurred as exhaustion set in, but she couldn't stop. The night air was cold against her skin, but the burn in her muscles kept her moving forward.
She rounded the corner, her shoes pounding against the pavement, every step feeling heavier than the last. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she found herself on a quieter street, dimly lit by flickering streetlights. She leaned against a wall for a moment, catching her breath. Her chest heaved, her side throbbed, but she had made it. Barely.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go. She had underestimated them—again. They knew her moves, anticipated her steps. She was in over her head, and the weight of that realization hit her hard.
She pulled out her phone, hands trembling as she dialed a familiar number.
"Leo... I need help."
My help? Where are you? Leo's voice was tense with worry.
"I'm at the corner of your street," Sam said, her voice weak. "Just hurry, no more questions." She ended the call before Leo could say another word.
Sensing the urgency, Leo rushed out of his apartment, grabbed his car keys, and sped to the street junction. Minutes later, he arrived, his heart racing when he saw Sam slumped against a wall, looking battered and covered in cuts.
Oh my God, Sam! What the hell happened? Leo exclaimed as he jumped out of the car.
"There's no time for that," Sam muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Just get me to your place… I need help. I'm losing it."
Leo didn't hesitate. He quickly helped her into the car, eyes wide with concern, and drove straight back to his house.
As soon as they pulled up to Leo's apartment, Leo quickly jumped out of the car and hurried over to Sam's side. "Come on, let's get you inside," he said, gently helping her out and supporting her weight as they made their way to the front door.
The moment they reached the door, Leo's wife, Tracy, rushed out to meet them. Leo, what happened? Is she okay? Tracy asked, her voice full of concern as she hurried to help him bring Sam inside.
Sam, what on earth is this? What have you gotten yourself into now? Tracy asked, worry etched on her face as she took in Sam's battered appearance.
Sam tried to brush it off, her voice weak but steady. It's nothing, Tracy. Just part of the job. It's what we go through when we're fighting for justice.
Before Tracy could respond, Leo cut in, his tone sharp with urgency. No time for that now, honey. Open the door. She's losing strength fast, he said, motioning for his wife to hurry.
Without wasting another second, Tracy pushed the door open wide, and the three of them rushed inside.
Leo's apartment was tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, a safe haven for someone like Sam, who needed to stay off the radar. As she walked through the door, Leo's eyes widened at the sight of her.
"Jesus, Sam," he muttered, rushing to her side. "What the hell happened?"
"Just a little disagreement," she said with a weak smile.
A disagreement! Leo and his wife both exclaimed.
Leo didn't buy it. Sit down before you pass out. Let me take a look.
Sam collapsed into the nearest chair, letting Leo examine the bruises on her arms, the cuts on her face, and the deep gash on her side.
"Disagreement, my ass," Leo muttered under his breath as he cleaned the wound.
Sam winced as she collapsed into a chair, letting out a pained groan as Leo carefully examined her wounds. "Ran into some of the syndicate's goons," she replied through clenched teeth. "I'm lucky I got away." Sam finally revealed.
"You're lucky you're alive," Leo corrected, shaking his head as he grabbed his medical kit. The smell of antiseptic filled the room as he began cleaning her cuts and bruises.
You can't keep doing this. You know what these people are capable of. Leo's wife added.
Sam gritted her teeth as Leo stitched up a particularly deep gash on her arm. I don't have a choice, Tracy. They've got Lily. I'm not stopping until I find her.
Leo's face softened, but his eyes were filled with concern. Sam, I get it. But you're playing a dangerous game. The syndicate… they've taken out more skilled investigators than you. They've got eyes everywhere. You have no idea how deep this goes.
Sam looked away, her jaw tight. She knew he was right. But backing down wasn't an option. Not now.
"I know what I'm doing," she said, though the words felt hollow even to her. "I just need a little more time."
Leo sighed, his hands steady as he finished bandaging her wounds. "Time might be the one thing you don't have," he muttered under his breath.
Sam stood, pulling her jacket back on. Thanks, Leo. I owe you one.
"You owe me more than one," he grumbled.
They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of the situation settling between them. Sam's body screamed for rest, but her mind wouldn't let her relax. Every second that passed felt like time slipping away, time that Lily didn't have.
Just as Leo was packing up his medical supplies, the sound of a knock at the door made both of them freeze.
"You expecting someone?" Sam asked, her voice low.
Leo and his wife shook their heads,
Who the hell— he started, but Sam was already reaching for her gun.
"Stay behind me," she ordered, moving toward the door.
She opened it cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. No one was there. The street was empty, but something was on the doorstep. A small brown package, wrapped in plain paper.
Sam exchanged a glance with Leo and Tracy before picking them up. It was light, almost too light. She tore open the paper and felt her stomach drop.
Inside was a necklace. Lily's necklace.
It was exactly the same necklace that was in the picture she was given previously.
And it was covered in blood.
Sam stared at the necklace, her breath catching in her throat. She could barely process what she was seeing, her mind racing. The implications were clear: this was a message. They had Lily, and they were watching her every move.
Leo cursed under his breath as he looked over her shoulder. Sam, this isn't just a warning. This is them telling you they can
get to anyone, anytime.
Sam's hands clenched around the box once more, her mind spinning. The syndicate had made their move, and now it was her turn. But with every step she took, it felt like the walls were closing in tighter around her.