Owen lowered his center of gravity, taking advantage of the chaos.
In one swift motion, he reached for the holster of the guard standing beside Monica and yanked out the pistol.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three quick shots—
The first two took down the guards near Monica.
The third was aimed at the chief of security.
Owen's shots weren't random—he prioritized the biggest threats.
The two closest guards had to be taken out first.
The security chief was next—he definitely had a weapon.
As for Brancato and the White Mask guy? They weren't immediate threats.
Most people don't carry guns at home, and Russell—the White Mask guy—was obviously a guest. Given how strict the security check was when Owen entered, there was no way he had a weapon on him.
The two guards dropped dead instantly, and Owen grabbed another gun from one of them.
But his third shot missed—the security chief was quick, dodging just in time.
Owen yanked Monica back toward the bar counter—it was the closest thing they had for cover.
With a gun in each hand, Owen scanned the room.
Russell had already ducked behind furniture—Owen ignored him.
He had only so many bullets and needed to hold out until Sam and the others arrived.
However, seeing Brancato still moving, Owen fired another shot at him.
The bullet hit his chest, and Brancato collapsed.
Owen didn't bother with a follow-up shot—he needed to conserve ammo.
But this bastard wasn't dead.
He was wearing a bulletproof vest.
This scumbag was so paranoid that he wore armor inside his own home.
More footsteps thundered from the hallway.
Owen and Monica ducked behind the bar, just as gunfire erupted, bullets ripping into the stone countertop, sending fragments flying everywhere.
The security chief, Latum, had arrived with reinforcements, surrounding the bar.
Owen handed Monica a gun and peeked out for a split second.
The moment he raised his head, a storm of bullets rained toward him—he quickly ducked back down.
Taking the chance, Owen fired a single shot—blowing apart the chain lock on Monica's wrists.
The door burst open again—more reinforcements were arriving.
Owen heard footsteps approaching fast.
Bang! Bang!
He popped up and fired two shots, dropping one approaching enemy before quickly ducking again.
A hail of bullets shredded the spot where he had just been.
With a gun finally in her hands, Monica felt energized.
Though she was still struggling to process everything.
She knew this was Owen—but his face…?
She couldn't believe it.
Luckily, Owen pulled off the mask right then.
At this point, stealth was pointless, and the mask felt uncomfortable anyway.
Owen checked his magazine—only six rounds left.
He reloaded and was completely unaware of Monica's expression changing beside him.
She stared at his sharp, chiseled face—and her heart melted.
This idiot really came to save me.
SMACK!
Owen had just reloaded when he suddenly felt something warm on his cheek.
Monica had kissed him.
Owen froze.
"Thank you for coming to save me."
Owen relaxed—so it was just a thank-you kiss.
He was about to make a joke—
But before he could, her lips pressed against his again.
This time—on his mouth.
When Monica pulled back, Owen's mind went blank.
More footsteps echoed nearby.
His body moved on instinct—
Bang! Bang!
Two more shots took down an enemy trying to flank them.
But his thoughts were still stuck on something else.
Monica… had kissed him.
And not a casual one.
What the hell just happened?
Owen touched his lips, bewildered.
This was Monica—a woman who never showed interest in men.
But she had just kissed him.
He looked at her—
She was smiling mischievously.
At this point, if Owen still didn't get it, he was an idiot.
But…
He had been sneak-attacked.
Owen grinned.
Should he kiss her back?
Hell yes.
When had Owen ever let himself take a loss?
Without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her.
Monica's eyes widened in surprise—
But the next moment, her lips were fully captured.
When they finally pulled apart, Owen licked his lips, feeling smug—like a honeybee that had just feasted on nectar.
More footsteps approached—this time, it sounded like multiple people.
The romantic moment disappeared instantly.
The two exchanged a glance—then moved simultaneously.
Monica ducked low, peeking out from the side.
Bang!
She shot a guy in the leg—he screamed in pain, collapsing.
Before he could recover, Monica fired another shot, ending him.
Owen saw a submachine gun barrel entering the room.
He grabbed it, forcing the enemy's aim off target, then fired four consecutive rounds into his chest.
The guy collapsed instantly.
Owen grabbed the MP5, checked the magazine—
Almost full.
Perfect.
Click. The mag was secured.
"Since when?"
"Hmm?"
"Since when did you start liking me?"
Owen smirked.
Monica was undoubtedly a goddess, but her cold personality had scared away most guys.
Getting kissed by her?
That was a huge flex.
Monica didn't deny it.
She tilted her head, thinking for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Not sure. Probably during one of our missions."
Owen raised an eyebrow and struck a cool pose.
"You sure it wasn't when I beat you in the IPSC shooting competition?"
Monica chuckled.
"No, I'm sure—back then, all I wanted was to kick your balls."
Owen: "…"
Seeing Owen's face twist, Monica burst into laughter.
But the gunfire outside was getting more intense.
Bullets pounded the marble bar, sending dust and debris everywhere.
Owen knew the bar wouldn't hold for long.
Thankfully, the guards were only using handguns and 9mm SMGs.
If they had heavier firepower, he and Monica would've been shredded already.
Owen blind-fired his MP5, keeping the enemies at bay.
His retaliation drew even heavier fire, forcing him to stay low.
Monica took the chance—she peeked out and fired two rapid shots.
"AHH! %￥￥&（&~~~"
One of the guards screamed in Spanish, falling to the ground.
But Monica couldn't finish him off—
A storm of bullets forced her to duck again.
Then, finally—
Sam's voice crackled through the earpiece.
"Owen, how's it looking? We're almost there!"
Owen shouted back:
"Not great! If you don't hurry, we're dead!"
"Hold on ten seconds! Where are you?"
"Behind the bar, opposite the main door!"
"Got it. Stay down.
FIRE IN THE HOLE!"
BOOM!
The door flew open—
Two grenades rolled in.
The guards barely had time to react—
Then—
BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions tore through the room.
_________________________________________
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