The scream of Anaya Sen echoed inside the car.
Her heart was pounding wildly.
Someone was sitting in the back seat.
In the darkness she could barely see his face.
But his voice was calm.
Almost amused.
"Relax… if I wanted to hurt you, you'd already be dead."
Anaya quickly reached for the car door handle.
Locked.
Her breathing became heavier.
"Who are you?"
The man chuckled softly.
"Just someone curious."
Outside the car, chaos was spreading across the harbor.
Gunfire echoed.
Men shouting.
Engines roaring.
But inside the car the atmosphere felt terrifyingly quiet.
Anaya slowly turned her head again.
This time the faint streetlight revealed the man's face.
Cold grey eyes.
Sharp features.
And a faint scar across his jaw.
He looked dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Then he said something that froze her blood.
"You look exactly like your father."
Anaya's eyes widened.
"How do you know my father?"
The man smiled slightly.
"Oh… I knew him very well."
Before she could say anything—
The car door suddenly opened.
A strong hand grabbed her arm.
"Out."
It was Aryan Malhotra.
His eyes were burning with anger.
He pulled Anaya out of the car instantly and placed her behind him.
His gun was already aimed.
Straight at the mysterious man.
"Step out."
The man slowly raised both hands and exited the car.
But he didn't look scared.
Not even slightly.
Aryan's voice was ice cold.
"Who the hell are you?"
The man smiled calmly.
"Relax, Mr. Malhotra."
Then he said something shocking.
"You and I have the same enemy."
Aryan's finger tightened on the trigger.
"Name."
The man replied slowly.
"My name is Nikolai Volkov."
Anaya frowned.
Aryan didn't lower the gun.
"Never heard of you."
Nikolai shrugged casually.
"But I've heard a lot about you."
He looked at Anaya.
"And about her."
Aryan stepped slightly forward.
Blocking Anaya completely behind him.
"You're one second away from dying."
Nikolai sighed.
"You really are dramatic."
Then he looked toward the warehouse.
Where Viktor Dragovich was still standing inside.
Gunfire echoed again in the distance.
Nikolai's voice became serious.
"If you want to kill Viktor Dragovich…"
"Then you'll need my help."
Aryan stared at him silently.
Anaya whispered behind him,
"Do you trust him?"
Aryan answered quietly,
"No."
Then he added something darker.
"But sometimes the enemy of your enemy is useful."
The harbor lights flickered again.
Far away, Viktor Dragovich watched the scene from the warehouse door.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
Because the game was becoming far more interesting.
And far more dangerous.