Chapter 7: Into the Fire
The enemy vessel rocked beneath Jasper’s feet as he landed, rolling into a crouch with his weapon raised. The deck was slick with seawater, the salt-heavy air thick with the scent of oil and gunpowder. Shadows moved against the dim moonlight—hostile figures armed and ready.
Jasper didn’t wait. He fired first, dropping the nearest gunman with a shot to the chest. Another swung his rifle toward him—too slow. Jasper lunged forward, striking with the butt of his weapon, sending the man sprawling.
Behind him, Evelyn landed smoothly, gun raised. She fired twice, precise as ever.
Shouts erupted across the deck. The remaining hostiles regrouped, realizing they were being boarded instead of the other way around.
Jasper smirked. That wasn’t part of their plan.
Turning the Tables
A man rushed him, knife flashing. Jasper sidestepped, grabbing the attacker’s wrist and twisting. Bone snapped, followed by a strangled yell. Jasper drove his elbow into the man’s throat, sending him crumpling to the deck.
Evelyn moved like a phantom, weaving between gunfire, taking out enemies with ruthless efficiency.
But they weren’t alone.
A heavy figure emerged from the cabin—taller, broader, moving with the weight of authority. His voice cut through the chaos.
“Stand down!”
The remaining gunmen hesitated. The new arrival wasn’t just another mercenary. Jasper could see it in his stance—disciplined, confident.
Evelyn exhaled sharply. “I know him.”
Jasper didn’t take his eyes off the man. “Who is he?”
“Lucas Kane,” she murmured. “Ex-intelligence. And very, very dangerous.”
Jasper’s grip on his weapon tightened.
Lucas Kane stepped forward, hands relaxed at his sides—too relaxed for a man surrounded by gunfire. He studied Jasper, then Evelyn.
“You’re both causing me a lot of trouble,” he said, voice calm.
Jasper smirked. “That was the idea.”
Kane tilted his head slightly. “You should’ve stayed out of this, Hawke.”
Jasper felt Evelyn tense beside him. He knows my name.
That meant one thing.
This wasn’t just a rogue operation. Kane was part of something bigger.
Jasper didn’t hesitate. He raised his rifle—
Kane moved first.
A flick of his wrist. A small, compact grenade hit the deck between them.
Flashbang.
Jasper barely had time to turn before the explosion of white light and deafening noise sent his senses spiraling.
The Ambush
Jasper hit the deck hard, ears ringing. He forced himself up, vision swimming. Figures moved in the haze—shapes, shadows.
Hands grabbed him. A fist struck his jaw, hard.
He lashed out, but more hands restrained him, yanking his arms behind his back.
Through the fog, he saw Evelyn struggling, fighting off two men before another struck her in the ribs.
Kane’s voice cut through the disorientation.
“You should’ve walked away.”
Jasper growled, muscles tensed against the restraints. “Not my style.”
Kane crouched in front of him. “You think you’re exposing a smuggling ring.” He smirked. “You have no idea what you’re really stepping into.”
Jasper’s eyes narrowed. “Then why don’t you enlighten me?”
Kane studied him. “Because dead men don’t need answers.”
Jasper smirked. “Then I guess I’m not dead yet.”
Kane chuckled, standing. “Not yet.”
He turned to his men. “Secure them below deck. We set sail in ten minutes.”
Jasper felt the barrel of a gun press against his back as he was hauled to his feet. His mind worked fast, cataloging every detail, every weakness in their formation.
They weren’t out of the fight yet.
He just had to make sure they survived long enough to finish it.
