1 Chapter 1

The suffocating smell of blood, exhaust fumes, and gunpowder rushed into his nose as Selwynns cold grey eyes snapped open, filled with crazed anger and hatred.

The car that had been sped along the icy highway swerved with his sudden movements veering dangerously off to the side where a semi-frozen river crashed heavily along the rocky shores.

His body reacted before his brain could and his hands instinctively controlled the car and skillfully turned the steering wheel stabilizing the heavy-duty truck as he pressed onto the accelerator.

He paused for a moment to take in his surroundings, the skies sped past in a greyish blur outside, there was blood pouring out from a hastily bandaged wound on his abdomen, guns that he kept for emergencies spent and even more guns cocked and loaded.

He felt absurd for a moment, but the scorching pain on his torso prevented him from taking this as a dream. Trembling hands frantically pulled down the passenger mirror and stared at the paranoid and distorted face that appeared in the mirror.

This face was partially broken by a small gash that ran along the right side of his temples

It was still bleeding, a fresh wound extending from his forehead to his brow bone, which made his already tough facial features, look even more terrifying.

But he remembered this scar clearly, from the bullet that narrowly grazed his forehead, when the old bastard Noah issued a hunt-to-kill order on him, trapping him in Norwegia.

He was injured too seriously back then, barely managing to keep his life, and could only leave the autonomy of the company up to the shareholders.

From then on everything descended into a mess.

When he was finally able to walk again and wanted to turn things around, his hope was crushed again and again until he was finally pushed to hell.

He clenched his fist slowly and could feel the bruises on his knuckles cracking painfully but he only felt a burst of maddening ecstasy in his heart. The phantom pain left after his limbs were brutally broken in that lonely jail cell seemed to still linger.

The sharp sting sent a numb shiver down his spine, and his grey eyes reflected in the mirror darkened to a terrifying black as if a mad beast had been released.

The memories of the past flashed in his mind, pathetic and ridiculous.

He was reborn, back to the beginning, before he lost everything.

At this moment, he wanted to laugh a bit and he did, laughing uglier than crying until the wound on his abdomen was torn open from the strain and a bloody smell filled his nostrils before the craziness in his eyes was slowly suppressed leaving only an icy coolness.

From the rearview mirror, he could see three black dots in the distance that were quickly closing in on him and he calculated that it wouldn't be long before they caught up.

Most of the gun cartridges were used up and he could tell this fatal hunt had been going on for a while now. The gas meter had fallen to E and the car wouldn't last for long.

A silver 500mm colt AR 15 lay on his lap and he swiftly checked the magazine, 9 bullets. That was enough.

Blond hair stuck to his temples and was wiped away by slender hands, Selwynn fiddled with the receiver in his ears as he slammed onto the brakes and drifted off the main highway.

Most of the signals were static and he knew Noah had cut off most communications, holding the steering wheel with one hand, he quickly shuffled through the compartment, pulling out a pack of cheap cigarettes, a lighter, and a simple satellite dish.

He plugged one end into the dashboard and fine-tuned the radio until a soft crackling sound appeared following the melody of simple jazz poured from the speakers.

Selwynn narrowed his eyes, silently counting the tempo in every beat, 157.3, he turned the dial on the receiver in his ears until there was a faint click.

After a short pause, a burst of sound suddenly blasted into his ears and a unique gentle voice sounded over the other end.

"Boss."

Selwynn hummed coldly, skillfully fiddling with the gun with his head down.

"The files have already been wired and the evidence destroyed. The new shipment is set to land at customs in three days and we now have a complete list of all the goods coming in. "

"Have you received news on the P2P project?"

Selwynn unloaded the magazine, saw that it was full, and stuffed it into his waist.

Cates's voice came through the receiver with a little static, "This side is stable, however, Noah's group of confidants has been reported to have a shortfall of over 60 million. If the gaps are not filled, this project is estimated to fall through."

" Those lackeys over on the South Avenue have been causing quite a shit storm and some of Noah's subordinates have been seen in contact with a few small gangs."

Selwynn glanced at the rear-view and licked the blood on his lips, "After all, some people can never forget their roots."

"Continue to track the news, don't allow the fighting to spread to the Russian territory."

"Release the news of an increase in our bidding number for the new development land."

Cate agreed, "The original escape route was compromised, I've locked your location but Noah has made enough sacrifices to kill you this time and it's impossible to assemble helicopters to pick you up."

The loud engine roared along with the off-beat music, and the heavy vehicle rushed forward, splashing a large swath of mud and snow along the rugged tires.

Selwynn stomped on the accelerator, turned the steering wheel with a snap, and forced the truck to a screeching halt.

The echos of smooth jazz continued to blast from the radio and one hand flicked the lighter on with a snap, lighting the cigarette at the corner of his mouth.

He watched the distant vehicles move from a distant dot, becoming closer and closer until he could see them. He calculated in his mind, there are 5 vehicles, and the bullets he had on enough weren't enough.

Cold, grey glimpsed at the icy current sweeping everything in its path and smiled shallowly, he grabbed the wheel and stomped on the accelerator sending the car flying forward.

Snow and mud fly up in its trails.

The greyish sunlight shot straight down through the front window of the car, shining on his heavy-set features. Blond hair stuck to his temples with sweat and his bloodied knuckles gripped the steering wheel.

The sound of music filled the interior of the car, leaning against the leather seat, he lazily narrowed his eyes into the distance.

"Fuck."

A sudden swear fell from the sneer at the corner of his mouth. The cigarette resting on his thin lips shook and a piece of soot fell on the upholstery, leaving a trail of grey ash "Cut the shit...How long will it take?"

A few seconds later, Cate, the operator, wiped his face silently and coughed dryly: "Look, the operation was busted, I don't know who leaked your position but they're after you, I can't reach your position for another hour and you'll have to endure without being killed until then..."

Selwynn took a deep puff of the cigarette and pressed the accelerator powerfully.

The icy, grey river sped past in the rearview mirror like a silent bullet.

"There's no other way."