The room froze.

Before Donald or his guards could react to the news of an attack, Mark was already in action. He quickly grabbed Donald by the collar and turned him around, holding him still.

From Mark's hand, a powerful magnum appeared. He was ready to shoot as the barrel was pressed firmly against the side of Donald's head. Donald was trembling in fear.

The guards hesitated, shocked. They couldn't understand how Mark got a gun into the tightly secured warehouse.

There was no time to think. Their boss’s life was in danger, and all that mattered now was keeping him safe.

“Drop your weapons,” Mark ordered.

The guards exchanged uncertain glances, gripping their rifles tighter. But they didn’t move.

Donald, his bravado slipping, stammered, “W-what are you doing? You’re in my territory, Spencer!”

Mark didn’t flinch. His grip remained firm, and his icy gaze didn’t waver. “Your territory? Let’s see how much that means when you’re six feet under.”

The guards, realizing their only leverage was Ethan, began shifting toward him. But before they could get close, a blur of motion stopped them in their tracks.

A woman stepped forward, her movements smooth and deliberate. She positioned herself protectively in front of Ethan, her posture relaxed yet exuding a quiet menace. The guards stopped, knowing she was dangerous.

Ethan was surprised when he saw the newcomer. She was very beautiful, with bright green eyes that seemed to see everything. She moved with a calm and powerful grace that made the air around her feel tense.

Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, showing off her sharp cheekbones and a faint scar along her jawline—a reminder of past battles. She wore a fitted leather jacket, and her stance showed both elegance and strength.

“Who—” Ethan began, but the woman cut him off with a slight smile.

“Hello, Ethan,” she said in a smooth, measured tone.

Then, turning her attention to Mark, she added, “You’re getting slow, Spencer. I thought you’d have had this wrapped up already.”

Mark glanced her way, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. “Good to see you too, Maya.”

Donald’s face twisted in shock and anger. “Maya?” he spat. “You’re one of them—one of the Five Ghosts of Nemesis.”

Maya didn’t bother denying it. She simply raised an eyebrow, her expression one of mild amusement. “You are stating the obvious, Donald.”

Gunfire erupted outside the warehouse. The sharp sounds echoed through the walls. The guards flinched, their confidence faltering further.

Maya tilted her head slightly, listening to the chaos. Then, in a voice dripping with calm authority, she said, “Ezra’s handling the front. Steve’s probably working the perimeter. And Yamal…” She smiled faintly. “Well, let’s just say your guards are about to have a very bad day.”

Donald’s face drained of color. He looked from Maya to Mark, then back to the door, panic creeping into his voice. “All of them? Here? No… no, this can’t be.”

Ethan’s gaze flicked to Mark. “The Five Ghosts?” he asked quietly.

Mark’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. Maya, however, turned to Ethan with a small, knowing smile. “Let’s just say you’re in very capable hands.”

Donald began to tremble violently as the weight of the situation sank in. The Five Ghosts of Nemesis—Mark, Maya, Ezra, Steve, and Yamal—were legends in their field, operatives whose exploits were whispered about in the darkest corners of the underworld.

They were specialists in infiltration, assassination, and dismantling entire organizations. And now, they were all here.

Even with more than 300 guards under his command, Donald knew he stood no chance. His empire, his influence, his power—it all meant nothing in the face of this team.

Donald tried to steady his voice. “Wait. Wait. We can talk. There’s no need for this. We can work something out.”

Maya’s expression turned cold, her playful demeanor vanishing in an instant. “Oh, we’re past talking, Donald. You made the mistake of crossing someone under our protection. Well, not directly but who cares.”

Ethan’s eyebrows shot up at her words, but he stayed silent. His mind raced as he tried to process the situation.

Mark shifted slightly, keeping the magnum trained on Donald. “You have two options,” he said flatly. “Stand down and let us walk out of here, or find out just how fast we can dismantle everything you’ve built.”

The guards looked to Donald for guidance, but his expression was a mixture of fear and desperation. The sound of another explosion outside shook the walls, and the lights flickered momentarily.

Maya’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. “I’d choose wisely if I were you.”

Donald’s face had gone pale, and his once-confident demeanor crumbled completely. His hands trembled as he raised them slightly, signaling surrender.

Beads of sweat rolled down his temple as he croaked out, “Alright, alright… I’ll let you guys go. No trouble. You have my word.”

Mark didn’t relax his grip on Donald, and the magnum stayed firmly pressed against his head. His cold, unwavering gaze made it clear he didn’t trust the man for a second.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The guards, sensing the shift in power, hesitated, their weapons lowered slightly as they looked to Donald for further orders.

The tension in the room was suffocating, yet Ethan remained silent, his mind racing as he calculated the potential outcomes. His sharp eyes darted from Donald to the guards, then back to Mark and Maya.

Maya broke the silence, turning toward Ethan with an expression that was both curious and deadly serious. “Ethan,” she said, her voice smooth yet laced with steel. “Is this how you want things to end?”

Ethan blinked, caught slightly off guard by the question. Maya’s green eyes locked onto his, unflinching and probing.

“If you want us to leave it here, we’ll walk out, no problem,” she continued, gesturing casually toward the door. “But if you think this isn’t enough… if you want us to kill everyone here, we can. That’s what we do.”

Her words were calm, almost casual, but the weight behind them was suffocating.

“We’ve always protected each other,” Maya added, her tone softer now as she glanced at Mark. “Mark’s done more for us than you can imagine. If you want it, we’ll burn this place to the ground and make sure no one ever dares to come near you or the Moores again.”

Mark’s grip on Donald tightened slightly, but he didn’t speak. His steady presence, however, made it clear that he trusted Ethan’s decision.

Whatever Ethan chose, Mark would back him.

Ethan inhaled deeply, his expression carefully neutral as he processed Maya’s words. He understood the gravity of the moment. This situation involved more than just Donald or the Moores; it was about how he responded to threats in the future.

For a moment, there was silence. The only sounds were distant gunfire and the soft hum of machines outside.

Ethan finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “No,” he said, shaking his head. “This ends here.”

Maya raised an eyebrow, curious. “Are you sure?”

Ethan nodded and looked directly at Maya. “I appreciate your offer, but I don’t want to get involved in violence unless it’s really necessary. Let’s be clear that this is just a warning. Donald’s already lost—he knows it.”

Donald breathed a sigh of relief. He opened his mouth to speak, but Maya shot him a sharp glare that stopped him immediately.

Maya looked at Ethan for a moment and smiled slightly. “Okay,” she said with a shrug. “Your call. But if he crosses you again…”

“He won’t,” Ethan interrupted, his tone cold and final. He turned his attention to Donald, his gaze piercing. “Because if he does, I won’t be this forgiving next time.”

Donald nodded frantically, his voice trembling. “No trouble! I swear, no trouble!”

Maya stepped aside, giving Ethan and Mark a clear path to the door. Mark did not release Donald, as they were going to walk out together. The guards stayed still, clearly afraid as they remained in their places.

“Let’s go,” Ethan said as he turned to leave.

Mark and Maya followed him without a word, their movements precise and confident. As they left the room, the tension eased, but their message was clear.

For Donald and everyone else in that warehouse, this wasn’t just a near miss—it was a warning. One they wouldn’t soon forget.

The group moved with precision and purpose, Mark still holding Donald as a hostage. The guards watched, unable to act. Their weapons hung loosely in their hands as they were too afraid to challenge the Five Ghosts.

As they left the main area of the warehouse, Ezra came out from the shadows with his sniper rifle over his shoulder. He walked up alongside Maya and nodded toward Mark.

"You’ve got this handled, I see," he remarked coolly, his sharp eyes scanning the area.

Steve emerged next, his shotgun resting comfortably in his hands. His towering figure and the combat axe strapped to his back made the guards step back instinctively.

"Guess I missed all the fun," he said with a grunt, his cigar still tucked between his teeth.

Yamal was the last to appear, his twin kukris glinting faintly under the dim warehouse lights. He moved with an eerie quietness, his eyes darting to every corner, ensuring there were no surprises left.

"Perimeter’s clear," he said simply, his tone steady.

Donald’s face turned white. His voice shook as he tried to stay calm. "Please… I’ll let you all go. No trouble. I swear."

Steve rolled his eyes and barked, “Oh, shut up, Donald. I’ve heard all about your little kingdom here in Brookville. You’re lucky you’re still breathing.”

Donald whimpered, shrinking further into the seat as Steve’s words echoed in the warehouse. He didn’t dare respond, not with the silent but deadly presence of the Five Ghosts around him.

The group dragged Donald toward a parked SUV inside the warehouse. At first glance, it appeared to be an ordinary black vehicle. But to anyone who knew better, its reinforced frame, bulletproof windows, and subtle modifications were clear indicators that this was no regular car.

Mark shoved Donald into the back, securing him tightly. His hands and feet were tied with strong restraints. His eyes were covered with a blindfold, and a rag was stuffed in his mouth to keep him quiet.

Ethan got into the SUV. His mind was still full of everything that had happened. He kept quiet, sitting between Maya and Yamal, both of whom radiated calm but lethal energy.

Ezra sat in the front seat with his sniper rifle next to him. Steve was in the driver’s seat, smiling like he was about to have fun.

Steve started the engine loudly and drove out of the warehouse quickly. The sun shone brightly over Brookville, but the air felt tense.

As the SUV sped through the quiet streets, people turned to look, their curiosity mixed with fear.

Ethan clutched the side handle as Steve navigated the narrow roads with reckless precision. The vehicle had a strong suspension that absorbed every bump and pothole as Steve swerved, sped up, and navigated through side streets.

“Is this how he always drives?” Ethan finally asked, gripping the handle tighter. He directed the question at everyone.

“Only when I’m having fun,” Steve said, smiling at Ethan in the rearview mirror.

The SUV drove past the edge of Brookville and into the countryside. The busy streets turned into dirt paths surrounded by thick trees, and the afternoon sun created long shadows on the road.

Ethan glanced at Donald, who was now squirming in his restraints, his muffled curses barely audible.

“Noisy, isn’t he?” Maya commented with a smirk, nudging Ethan slightly. “Don’t worry. We’ll deal with him soon.”

After another 15 minutes of chaotic driving, they reached the edge of a forest. Steve didn’t slow down. He drove right through a rusty gate with a worn "No Trespassing" sign.

Steve drove the SUV into the forest, with sunlight filtering through the trees onto the windshield as he skillfully navigated deeper into the restricted area.

After a long drive, Steve stopped the SUV suddenly in a quiet clearing. The area was still, except for the sound of the engine and the leaves rustling in the distance.

“Time to stretch our legs,” Steve said casually as he turned off the engine.

Ezra and Yamal moved swiftly, opening the rear doors and hauling Donald out. He stumbled to the ground, his muffled shouts now louder as they removed the rag from his mouth.

“You can’t treat me this way!” Donald spat, his voice dripping with anger and desperation. “Do you know who I am? You’ll pay for this!”

Maya crouched next to him, her green eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, we know exactly who you are, Donald. And now, you’re going to learn who we are.”

Ezra cut the restraints on Donald’s wrists with a quick slash of his knife, and Yamal leaned against the SUV, watching the scene unfold with a faint smirk.

Donald held his freed wrists and glared at the group. “Do you really think you can get away with this?”

Steve stepped forward, towering over Donald. “Oh, we’re not getting away with anything. We’re leaving you here—alive. That’s more than you deserve.”

With a swift motion, Maya kicked Donald square in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the dirt. She stood over him, her expression icy.

“Good luck finding your way back,” she said flatly, her voice cutting through the silence.

The team got back into the SUV without saying another word. Donald dropped to his knees and shouted curses at them, but his voice was lost in the loud engine noise as the vehicle drove away into the forest.

Ethan sat quietly as the SUV sped off, his mind racing. He had just seen a side of Mark and his team that surprised him—ruthless, efficient, and frightening.