Damon barely had time to react.
The unmistakable click of a tripwire echoed in the silence of the docks, and his blood ran cold. He didn’t think—he acted. With a sharp pull, he grabbed Alina and yanked her backward just as an explosion erupted behind them.
The shockwave sent them sprawling. Wooden crates shattered, metal debris scattered, and fire licked the air in a violent burst of orange and red. Damon hit the ground hard, his ears ringing, his vision blurred.
Alina’s gasp broke through the chaos.
“Damon!”
His pulse thundered. He forced himself up, ignoring the sharp pain in his ribs. His eyes locked onto Vincent, who stood across the burning wreckage, gun raised, a wicked grin on his battered face.
“You’re getting slow,” Vincent taunted, stepping forward. “The Damon I knew wouldn
