And I see it.
The moment he realizes—
He’s losing.
His expression shifts.
Desperation.
Rage.
Obsession.
He lunges.
Fast.
Too fast.
Straight toward me.
“Ace—!”
Ace doesn’t hesitate.
His arm releases me just long enough—
One shot.
Clean.
Controlled.
Daniel drops to his knees mid-stride.
Silence doesn’t come.
Gunfire is still ripping through the air.
The team is still engaged.
But everything in my world narrows to that moment.
Daniel on the ground.
Breathing hard.
Bleeding.
Still staring at me.
“Tessa…” he chokes out.
I can’t move.
I can’t look away.
Ace steps in front of me again, gun still raised, stance lethal.
