Gunfire erupted as Volkov's men closed in. Dominic and Alyssa moved in perfect sync, covering each other as they took down enemy after enemy. The grand hall became a warzone, the once-opulent marble floor now littered with bodies and bullet casings.
Eleanor's voice crackled through the earpiece. "You guys need to move! More hostiles inbound!"
Julian and Marcus were still outside, dealing with reinforcements. That meant Dominic and Alyssa were on their own against Volkov's inner circle.
Volkov himself hadn't moved. He simply stood at the far end of the room, watching them fight, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Dominic gritted his teeth. "I'm getting real tired of that smug look."
Alyssa reloaded her pistol. "Then let's wipe it off his face."
They pushed forward, bullets flying, fists connecting with flesh as they tore through Volkov's last line of defense. One by one, his men fell, leaving only the crime lord himself.
For the first time, Volkov's smirk wavered.
He took a slow step back, his hand drifting toward a hidden pistol in his jacket. "You think this ends with me? You're naive. Killing me won't stop what's coming."
Dominic leveled his gun at Volkov's chest. "I don't care. This is personal."
Before he could pull the trigger, Volkov moved. Faster than expected, he yanked a knife from his belt and lunged at Alyssa.
Dominic's heart stopped.
Alyssa dodged, barely avoiding the blade, but Volkov was relentless. The two fought, steel clashing against steel as Alyssa countered every one of his brutal strikes.
Dominic couldn't get a clear shot without risking hitting her.
"Enough!" Volkov snarled, managing to slash Alyssa's arm.
She hissed in pain but didn't falter. Instead, she used the moment to trap his arm and twist. A sickening crack echoed as Volkov howled, his wrist snapping.
Dominic seized the opening. He grabbed Volkov by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "This is for everything you've done."
Volkov coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. "Go ahead… but you'll never be free of me."
Dominic didn't hesitate. He pulled the trigger.
A single gunshot rang through the room.
Volkov's body slumped to the ground, lifeless.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, Alyssa exhaled, gripping her bleeding arm. "It's done."
Dominic turned to her, worry flickering in his eyes. "You're hurt."
She smirked, despite the pain. "I've had worse."
Dominic reached out, cupping her face with bloodstained hands. "We did it."
She leaned into him. "Yeah… we did."
The team regrouped outside as the mansion burned behind them, an inferno consuming everything Volkov had built.
Marcus whistled. "Damn. That's a hell of a way to make sure he stays dead."
Julian smirked. "Guy was a cockroach. This felt necessary."
Eleanor looked between Dominic and Alyssa, then at the way Dominic was holding her close. "So… what now?"
Dominic glanced at Alyssa. He already knew the answer.
"We start over," he said. "Somewhere far from all this."
Alyssa's smile was soft. "Sounds perfect."
As the sun rose over the smoldering ruins, Dominic and Alyssa walked away, hand in hand.
They had survived the impossible and now, they had a future to build.