Chapter 5 The Wrong Place, The Wrong Time

Mia's breath came in short, uneven gasps. The street around them was eerily silent except for the distant hum of traffic. Ethan still held the bullet casing between his fingers, his face unreadable.

Her father's name.

The gunshots.

The warning.

It all felt too real now.

Mia took a shaky step back. "You're saying someone tried to kill me because of my father?"

Ethan exhaled, tucking the bullet into his pocket. "Looks that way."

Mia ran a hand through her hair. "But why now? He's been gone for ten years. If there was something dangerous about his past, why wait until now to come after me?"

Ethan's jaw tightened. "That's what we need to find out."

Mia opened her mouth to argue, to demand more answers, but before she could-

A black SUV turned the corner and started rolling toward them.

Ethan's eyes sharpened. "We need to go. Now."

Mia barely had time to react before Ethan grabbed her hand and pulled her into a run.

The SUV's tires screeched. The engine revved.

They were being hunted.

The Chase

Mia's heart pounded as they sprinted down the sidewalk. Ethan was fast, navigating the narrow alleys like he had done this before.

The SUV was right behind them.

Mia could hear it, feel it-getting closer.

Then, without warning, Ethan yanked her into a side alley.

They pressed their backs against the brick wall, just as the SUV sped past.

Mia's chest heaved. "Jesus."

Ethan held a finger to his lips. Stay quiet.

The SUV's brakes screeched.

Mia froze.

The vehicle had stopped just ahead.

The driver's door opened.

Footsteps. Slow. Heavy. Getting closer.

Mia felt a prickle of fear crawl up her spine. Whoever this was-they weren't just looking to scare her.

They wanted her dead.

Ethan's grip on her wrist tightened. His other hand went to the gun tucked under his jacket. His expression was calm, controlled.

Mia, on the other hand, was terrified.

The footsteps stopped.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then-

A voice. Deep, cold. Dangerous.

"She's here."

Mia's blood ran cold.

Ethan moved fast.

Before Mia could react, he grabbed her hand again and pulled her through the alley.

Gunfire erupted.

Bullets shattered brick behind them as they ran.

Mia gasped. She had never been so close to being shot before.

Ethan didn't stop. He yanked her down another street, then another, until the gunfire finally stopped.

They burst into a crowded street. People. Traffic. Noise.

Their pursuers wouldn't shoot here.

Ethan finally slowed down, glancing over his shoulder. "We lost them."

Mia doubled over, panting. "What the hell just happened?"

Ethan exhaled. "You were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Mia's eyes flashed. "Don't give me that. This wasn't some random mugging. Someone was waiting for me."

Ethan's silence was enough of an answer.

Mia's fists clenched. "You knew this would happen, didn't you?"

Ethan's gaze darkened. "I knew it was possible."

Mia stared at him. "Who are you, really?"

Ethan hesitated. Then, finally-

"I used to work in intelligence."

Mia stilled. "You were a spy?"

Ethan smirked slightly. "Not exactly. But let's just say I have experience dealing with people who don't want to be found."

Mia's stomach twisted. "And now they're after me."

Ethan's expression turned serious. "Yeah. And until we figure out why, you're not safe."

Mia exhaled shakily.

This was real. Too real.

She had spent years ignoring her father's past, pretending it didn't matter.

But now?

It was catching up to her.

And if she didn't start looking for answers-

She might not live long enough to get them.