The first punch came without warning.

Ethan barely had time to register the shadow moving behind him before pain exploded across his ribs. He stumbled sideways, shoulder slamming into cold concrete, breath ripping out of his lungs. The underground parking structure echoed with the sound—metal, flesh, fury colliding.

“Stay down,” a voice growled.

Ethan coughed, straightening slowly. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, warm and metallic. He wiped it away with the back of his hand and laughed—a low, dangerous sound that surprised even himself.

“Tell Davin,” Ethan said hoarsely, “that’s not going to happen.”

The bodyguard stepped forward again. He was massive, built like a wall, movements...