Chapter 223

**Summer's POV**

"But..." I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper. I wanted to say more, to question what had just happened, but the words died on my lips as Ethan's cold, impassive eyes met mine.

"Sorry, did I frighten you?" he asked, his tone conversational, as if asking about the weather.

I swallowed hard, finding my voice again. "Ethan, I know you were trying to save me, but killing people for me? I just... what about them?" I gestured frantically at the bodies, then at the buildings around us. "The security cameras must have caught everything. Ethan, you-"

"Don't worry about it," he cut me off smoothly. "Someone will take care of this."

I stared at him in disbelief. Take care of this? Two men were dead! You couldn't just "take care of" something like that!

"But-" I started again, only to be silenced by the sharp ring of Ethan's phone.

He answered immediately, his posture shifting subtly as he listened.I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but I could tell from his expression that something important was happening.

"Understood," he said finally, then hung up and turned to me. "That was Arya. The security footage from this area has been erased, but we need to leave immediately.Someone will be here shortly to clean up." He paused,his eyes darkening. "There's an ambush set up on the road to Brandon's

place.Someone wants him dead. We can't go there now."

My heart clenched painfully. Brandon.

"I understand," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "Let's go."

As we headed toward Ethan's car, I couldn't help looking back at the bodies one last time. "Are you sure? Ethan, please don't lie to me."

"I promise you," he replied, his tone softening slightly. "Now get in the car.

Inside Ethan's sleek vehicle, I tried to calm my racing thoughts. The leather seats were cold against my bare arms. and I shivered-though whether from the temperature or from shock. I couldn't tell.

"The road to the Hamptons estate is compromised," Ethan informed me as he pulled away from the curb. "You can't go back there until we're sure it's safe."

"But..." I gripped the edge of my seat, anxiety climbing up my throat."What about Brandon? Where is he? Ethan,do you know where he is? Is he safe?"

"Don't worry," Ethan replied, his eyes fixed on the road. "With Brandon's skills, very few people can defeat him."

"Are they Mexican mercenaries?" I pressed, remembering the dying man's words. "Why would they do that? What's their connection to Brandon?"

"I'm not entirely sure myself," Ethan admitted. "You can ask Brandon when he returns. For now, I'll take you to my place. Brandon has an apartment in Manhattan as well."

"But Jean-Pierre is staying there now," I reminded him. "Ethan, I'm fine,you can take me to-"

"Then we'll go to my place or Dr. Sean's," Ethan interrupted firmly. "Brandon entrusted you to me, and I won't let anything happen to you."

Brandon's POV

I pulled my car to a stop outside the abandoned factory, cutting the engine but leaving the keys in the ignition. Through the silence of the night,I could hear three sets of footsteps approaching-two heavier ones flanking a lighter, more measured tread. The woman was in the middle, then.

I reached slowly into my glove compartment, extracting my handgun and checking the magazine. Six bullets. Not ideal, but it would have to do. I had a knife strapped to my ankle as backup.

As I slid out of the car, I noticed a small puddle of oil beneath a nearby generator.Perfect.

The three assassins emerged from the shadows-two muscular men and a wiry woman, all dressed in tactical gear, all heavily armed. Their movements spoke of professional training, not ordinary hitmen. The woman gestured, and the men spread out, attempting to flank mne.

I reached into my pocket, pulled out my lighter, and flicked it open. The assassins tensed, weapons trained on me.

"Brandon Stark," the woman called, her accent thick. "Our business is not persona1.Just unfortunate for you."

"Is that so?" I replied calmly, then flicked the lighter into the oil puddle.

The small explosion that followed wasn't lethal, but it was disorienting-

exactly what I needed. In the momentary confusion, I rolled toward the nearest concrete barrier, firing two quick shots. The first assassin dropped.a clean headshot. The second man stumbled, hit inthe shoulder,but managed to return fire.

I ducked, bullets ricocheting off concrete, and waited for a break in his shooting.Four bullets left. I fired twice more, and he collapsed.

The woman was smarter, keeping her distance and conserving ammunition.I fired my remaining bullets in her direction, forcing her to take cover,then tossed the empty gun aside.

"You're out of bullets," she called, triumph in her voice. "Today, one of us dies. You killed my brothers, and I'll avenge them!"

"Really?" I replied, keeping my voice level as I spotted her position through my phone's connection with Edward's satellite feed. "If you hadn't come to kill me, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to kill them. Before I die, at least tell me who's paying for my death. Let me die knowing."

She laughed harshly. "Letting you know wouldn't hurt. The person who wants you dead is American, paying top dollar for your head. Don't blame us-no one turns down that kind of money."

"A name!" I demanded, positioning myself for the final confrontation. "I don't have time for this."

"Doesn't matter," she sneered, stepping forward with her weapon raised."You'll be dead in-"

I launched myself at her, using the shadows for cover, my military-grade combat knife finding her throat before she could react. Her eyes widened in genuine surprise, and then she was gone.

I stood, wiping the blade clean, when a slow clapping echoed through the abandoned space.

"Come out." I called, already knowing who it was.

Dr. Sean emerged from behind a rusted shipping container, his usual grin firmly in place. "Well, well! I have to say, Brandon, that's pretty inconsiderate of you. Your brother rushes all the way out here to save you,and you've already handled everything yourself. Why'd you even call me ovet? To waste my time?"

"You're just arriving now?" I asked dryly.

"Of course! Do you have any idea how hard this place was to find?" Sean complained, picking his way carefully around the bodies. "And seriously,who chooses an abandoned factory in the middle of nowhere? By the way,who the hell did you piss off recently?"

"Edward said there's an ambush at my house," I cut in, not bothering to answer his question.

"Yeah, I called James. He and Desmond are already headed there," Sean confirmed."Edward's coordinating everything."

"What about June?" I asked, the only question that truly mattered.

Sean rolled his eyes dramatically. "Relax, you don't you trust Ethan? Those assassins wouldn't stand a chance against him. He just called and said he's taking your wife to my place since your house is compromised."

Relief washed through me. June was safe. That was all that mattered.

Without another word, I headed for my car.

"Hey, hey,hey! Brandon, you ungrateful bastard!" Sean called after me. "I rush all the way here to save you, and you're just leaving? Brandon!"

As I pulled away, I could hear him still shouting in the rearview mirror."God damn! Now I'm stuck cleaning up these bodies for free!"