Chapter 45

As Jake and his team approached the warehouse, they could feel the tension in the air. Sophia's men were scattered around the perimeter, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of trouble.

Jake's team moved stealthily, taking out Sophia's men one by one. Jake led the way, his gun drawn as he entered the warehouse.

Inside, Joon was standing face to face with Sophia. She was smiling, a cold, calculating smile that sent shivers down Jake's spine.

"Ah, General Thompson," Sophia said, her voice dripping with malice. "How nice of you to join us."

Jake's eyes locked onto Joon's, and he could see the faintest glimmer of relief in his eyes.

"Let him go, Sophia," Jake said, his voice firm.

Sophia laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "I don't think so, General," she said. "You see, Joon here has something that belongs to me. And I'm not leaving until I get it back."

Jake's eyes narrowed. What was Sophia talking about? What did Joon have that belonged to her?

Joon's eyes locked onto Jake's, and he could see the faintest glimmer of warning in his eyes.

Suddenly, Sophia's men moved forward, their guns drawn. Jake's team responded, taking cover behind nearby crates.

The warehouse erupted into chaos, gunfire echoing off the walls. Jake's eyes locked onto Joon's, and he could see the faintest glimmer of determination in his eyes.

Joon was going to get out of this alive, no matter what.

Jake's team fought bravely, taking out Sophia's men one by one. But Sophia herself seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

Jake's eyes scanned the warehouse, searching for any sign of Sophia. That's when he saw her, slipping away into the shadows.

"Joon, get down!" Jake yelled, as Sophia's men opened fire.

Joon dove for cover, bullets whizzing past his head. Jake's team returned fire, trying to pin down Sophia's men.

But Sophia herself was long gone, vanished into the night.

Jake's team fought on, determined to take down Sophia's men. But as the fight wore on, Jake couldn't shake the feeling that Sophia had gotten away with something.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the fight was over. Sophia's men were defeated, and Joon was safe.

But as Jake approached Joon, he could see the look of concern etched on his face.

"What is it, Joon?" Jake asked, his voice low.

Joon's eyes locked onto Jake's. "Sophia got what she came for," he said, his voice grim. "The artifact is gone."

Jake's eyes widened in shock. The artifact was a powerful relic, one that could give its owner immense power.

"What does this mean?" Jake asked, his voice low.

Joon's expression turned grim. "It means Sophia has the upper hand," he said. "And we need to get it back, before it's too late."

Jake's face turned grim. "We'll get it back," he said.

Joon nodded, his eyes scanning the warehouse. "Agreed," he said. "But we can't let Sophia get away with this. We need to come up with a plan to retrieve the artifact."

Jake nodded. "I'll get my team on it," he said. "But first, let's get out of here."

As they made their way out of the warehouse, Jake's phone buzzed. He answered, listening for a moment before his expression turned grim.

"What is it?" Joon asked, his eyes narrowing.

Jake's voice was low. "Masika's gone," he said. "She was taken from her apartment while we were here."

Joon's eyes widened in shock. "We have to find her," he said, his voice urgent.

Jake nodded. "I'll get my team on it," he said. "But we need to be careful. Sophia's not going to give up Masika without a fight."

Joon's expression turned grim. "I'll do whatever it takes to get Masika back," he said. "Even if it means going up against Sophia myself."