Vincent came out of the darkness like a hammer.

He struck the guard in the throat with the side of his hand.

The guard choked, dropping his gun.

Vincent grabbed the man’s jacket and threw him over the side of the dock.

There was a loud splash in the dark water below.

The second guard spun around, raising his pistol.

Vincent did not hesitate.

He kicked the man’s knee inward.

I heard the crack of bone.

The guard collapsed, screaming.

Vincent punched him hard in the jaw, silencing him.

The guard fell flat onto the gravel.

My chest heaved as I watched them.

The smell of ozone and wet wood filled my nose.

I held the small steel cylinder tight in my fist.

Derek was still on his knees, panting.

He looked up at Vincent with pure hatred.

“You think you can keep her?” Derek spat.

He slowly stood up, shaking his burned arm.

“She belongs to me, Moretti.”

Vincent stepped between Derek and me.

He did not look back at me.

“She belongs to no one,” Vincent said.

His voice was low and calm.