The name left his lips in a hoarse whisper, barely audible over the pounding of blood in his ears. The darkness closing in around him felt suffocating, each beat of his heart a thunderous reminder of his waning strength.

But Alex wasn't finished yet. His resolve hardened as he fought to stay conscious. He couldn't afford to lose here-not with Alisha's life at stake.

He lashed out blindly, his hand managing to catch the assassin's wrist, stopping the blade from cutting deeper into his throat. ...