Michael's head turned sharply at the sound of Layla's voice—but he was too late. His eyes barely registered the figure with the gun before the deafening crack of a gunshot echoed through the air. A sudden, sharp pain bloomed in his chest. His breath hitched. The world tilted. His vision blurred—just once—before he collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud.
"NOOOOO!" Layla's scream tore through the chaos like a blade, raw and full of agony. Her heart thundered in her chest as she raced to him, legs moving on instinct. Around her, everything was falling apart. The attackers were more brutal, more organized than anyone had expected.
Brian staggered, taking hit after hit, until he finally dropped to his knees, bloodied and gasping. Frank tried to hold the line, but the numbers were against him. Two of them slammed him down hard, and he groaned, the pain searing through his limbs.
