THE FIGHT

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Chapter Seventeen

The cold night air was thick with tension as Jason surveyed the men surrounding him and Seline. Thirty, maybe more. It didn't matter. He didn't need to be told—they were Adam's men. The thought sent a bolt of frustration through him. How had Adam gotten wind of his plan? Every move, every contingency, had been carefully mapped out. And yet, here they were.

Seline clutched his arm, her fingers trembling as she tried to stifle the panic rising in her chest. "Jason," she whispered, her voice quivering.

"Stay behind me," he said sharply, his tone brooking no argument. His eyes flicked over their adversaries, calculating. Every muscle in his body was coiled, ready to spring into action.

Adam stepped forward, a sly grin spreading across his face as he clapped his hands slowly. "Jason," he drawled, his voice a mix of amusement and contempt. "You really thought you could outsmart me, didn't you?"

Jason's jaw tightened. "You've got one chance to walk away, Adam. Take it."

Adam laughed, the sound echoing through the night. "Bold, as always. But we both know how this ends. Hand over the girl, and I might just let you walk out of here alive."

Jason's grip on Seline's wrist tightened ever so slightly, a silent reassurance. "Not happening."

Adam's smile faded, replaced by a cold, predatory look. "Have it your way."

He signaled with a flick of his hand, and chaos erupted.

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Jason moved like a predator unleashed. The first man lunged at him, swinging a crowbar, but Jason sidestepped with fluid precision, delivering a crushing blow to the man's jaw. He spun, using the momentum to knock the crowbar from another attacker's hands, then brought his elbow down hard against his temple.

Seline crouched low, her back pressed against the wall as she watched in stunned silence. Jason wasn't just fighting—he was dismantling them, his movements a lethal blend of efficiency and fury. But they kept coming.

Two men charged at him simultaneously. Jason ducked under the first swing, grabbing the man's arm and twisting it until a sickening crack echoed in the night. The second attacker landed a punch to Jason's side, but Jason retaliated with a brutal uppercut, sending the man sprawling.

Adam watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Impressive," he called out. "But you can't take them all, Jason."

Jason didn't respond. His focus was unyielding. A gunshot rang out, the bullet grazing his shoulder. He grunted in pain but didn't falter, quickly disarming the shooter with a swift kick to the wrist and a follow-up punch that left the man unconscious.

"Jason!" Seline's voice broke through the chaos. Her eyes widened as another attacker closed in behind him.

Jason pivoted just in time, blocking the incoming strike with his forearm before driving his knee into the man's stomach. He grabbed the fallen gun and turned, pointing it directly at Adam.

The smirk vanished from Adam's face.

"Call them off," Jason growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Adam hesitated, his eyes flicking between Jason and the gun. Then he raised his hand. "Stand down," he barked. The remaining men froze, though their expressions betrayed their reluctance.

Jason didn't lower the weapon. "You should've listened," he said, his tone ice-cold. Then, without warning, he pulled the trigger.

The bullet struck Adam's leg, and he collapsed with a howl of pain. The momentary distraction was all Jason needed.

Headlights suddenly illuminated the scene as a car roared into the alley. It plowed through the gathered men, sending them scattering. Jason grabbed Seline, pulling her toward the vehicle as it screeched to a halt. The driver's door opened, revealing a familiar face.

"Get in!" lucas shouted.

Jason didn't need to be told twice. He shoved Seline into the backseat, sliding in after her as bullets peppered the side of the car. The tires screeched as they sped off, leaving the chaos behind.

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The car hurtled down the deserted road, silence hanging heavy in the air. Seline sat hunched in the corner, her breath ragged, her mind reeling. She finally found her voice, trembling but resolute.

"What the hell just happened, Jason?" she demanded, her tone sharp. "Who are those men? Why are they after us? And who the hell are you?"

Jason didn't respond, his focus fixed on the road ahead.

"Answer me!" she shouted, her frustration boiling over. "I deserve to know what's going on!"

Jason's patience snapped. He turned to her, his expression dark. "Not now, Seline."

"Not now?" she repeated incredulously. "You drag me into this mess, and you think you can just—"

Her words were cut off as Jason struck her with the butt of his gun. Seline's eyes widened in shock before her body went limp, collapsing against the seat.

Jason exhaled sharply, his hand trembling as he set the gun down. Lucas glanced at him through the rearview mirror but said nothing.

"She'll be fine," Jason muttered, though the tension in his voice betrayed his own uncertainty.

The car sped on, disappearing into the night.

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