We slipped out into the hallway like ghosts. I led, weapon raised, scanning every corner, every shadow, every potential threat. Kairen followed exactly three steps behind, silent now, his survival instincts finally kicking in.
We moved fast but controlled. No wasted movement. No hesitation.
A door burst open to our right, two masked men stumbled out, hauling a screaming woman between them. They spotted us.
I didn't wait for them to raise their weapons.
Two shots. Two bodies. The woman screamed louder and ran. I didn't stop her.
"Jesus Christ," Kairen breathed behind me.
I kept moving.
We turned a corner, another group of hostiles, four this time, dragging Andrei Volkov by his arms. His face was bloodied, his expensive suit torn. He was still fighting, still cursing them out in Russian.
They hadn't seen us yet.
I held up a fist. Kairen stopped immediately.
I gestured 'stay' and he nodded, pressing himself against the wall.
