Inside the house, it was quiet. Marcello lay still, with only silence surrounding him. Then suddenly, a small cough broke through the quiet.
The cough was weak and muffled, but it was there.
One by one, the five shadow guards started to start to take off their masks, their eyes fixed on Marcello sprawled on the ground.
"Clear," Nikolai whispered, breaking the silence.
David was the first to rush in, quickly dropping to his knees beside Marcello. He tore open the blood-soaked shirt to reveal the bulletproof vest underneath. The vest was damaged but still held strong.
"Shit! That bastard actually pulled the trigger..." Alessandro said softly, his gaze darting toward the dark exit where Fabio disappeared.
"Marcy, can you hear me?" came a voice that sounded shaky. Maria, who was nervously supporting his head in her hands.
Marcello groaned,
"Yeah, but it hurts like hell."
