Chapter 68: First Blood

The first target was a warehouse near the docks—where the real money moved.

Shade didn't go in quietly.

He tore through them.

A knife through the throat.

A bullet between the eyes.

A body crushed against the wall.

He wasn't fighting.

He was erasing them.

Jade fought beside him, but she was watching him now.

Watching the way he moved.

The way he killed.

The way he enjoyed it.

By the time the last man was dead, she grabbed his wrist, breathless. "Shade. Stop."

Shade looked at her, blood dripping from his blade. "Why?"

Jade's voice cracked. "Because you're not you anymore."

Shade smirked. "Then who am I?"

Jade exhaled.

And for the first time—

She didn't have an answer.