Mike wanted to punch Felix. Hard.

  Not just because of his smug face or the fact that he had nearly gotten them killed. No—Mike wanted to punch Felix because, despite everything, he knew the bastard was right.

  They weren’t just in trouble.

  They were hunted.

  Amina crossed her arms. "Explain. Now."

  Felix sighed, wiping sweat off his brow. "You really wanna have this conversation here? In the open? With people literally hunting you?"

  A bullet tore through the leaves above them.

  Mike rolled his eyes. "Point taken. Move."

  They ran.

  Felix led them through the bush, dodging thorny branches and low-hanging acacia limbs. The night was too quiet. Even with their breathing and footsteps, something felt off.

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  Then it hit Mike.

  "No crickets," he muttered.

  Amina frowned. "What?"

  "No crickets," Mike repeated. "No insects. No rustling. Just us."

  Amina’s eyes widened. They weren’t alone.

  The moment the realization sank in, gunfire exploded.

  Mike dove behind a fallen log. Amina hit the ground beside him. Felix was already rolling into cover, cursing.

  "Snipers," Felix gritted. "At least two."

  Mike peeked. The muzzle flash from a distant hill gave them away.

  Amina groaned. "We’re sitting ducks."

  Mike checked his stolen pistol. One bullet left.

  Felix pulled out a smoke grenade. "We move on three."

  Mike raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you carry smoke grenades?"

  Felix grinned. "Since I started hanging out with you."

  Amina smirked. "Smart man."

  Felix pulled the pin.

  "Three!"

  The grenade hit the ground, hissing white smoke.

  They bolted.

  Bullets whizzed past them, but the cover of the smoke gave them just enough time. Felix led them to a ditch, sliding in just as another round of shots rained down.

  Mike landed hard. "This night sucks."

  Amina dusted herself off. "You’re telling me."

  Felix groaned. "You two done complaining? Because they’re coming."

  Mike took a breath. "Felix. Who put the bounty on us?"

  Felix hesitated.

  Amina’s eyes narrowed. "Felix."

  Felix sighed. "All of them."

  Mike’s stomach tightened. "What do you mean ‘all of them’?"

  Felix exhaled. "The cartel. The militia. The corrupt cops. The smuggling syndicate. Someone spread a rumor that you—" He pointed at Mike. "—stole the shipment."

  Silence.

  Mike blinked. "That’s insane. Why would—"

  Then it clicked.

  The real thief was covering their tracks.

  Amina looked at Felix. "Who’s behind it?"

  Felix hesitated. "I have a guess. But you’re not gonna like it."

  Mike’s heart pounded. "Try me."

  Felix met his gaze.

  "It’s someone close to you."

  The words sent a chill down Mike’s spine.

  "Someone in your circle," Felix added. "Someone you trust."

  Mike didn’t speak. He didn’t need to.

  His mind was already racing through the faces of everyone he knew.

  And the worst part?

  He had a bad feeling he already knew who it was.