Chapter 1
The Hunt
Rain poured across the city like silver bullets.
The streets of New York were almost empty at midnight, but one man was still running.
His breath was heavy. Blood dripped from a wound in his shoulder as he pushed through the crowded alleyways. Behind him, black SUVs tore through the streets while armed men searched every corner.
“Find him!” a voice shouted through a radio.
The man looked over his shoulder.
They were getting closer.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small metal drive no larger than a thumb. To anyone else it looked worthless. But hidden inside was enough information to destroy governments, billion-dollar corporations, and some of the most powerful people on Earth.
That was why they wanted him dead.
A gunshot echoed through the night.
The bullet struck the wall inches from his head.
He cursed and sprinted faster.
Three years earlier, Marcus Kane had been one of the best intelligence operatives in the world. Governments trusted him. Generals respected him.
Then he discovered something he was never supposed to see.
A secret operation known only as Shadow Protocol.
An operation responsible for assassinations, political manipulation, disappearances, and wars across multiple countries.
The moment Marcus uncovered the truth, he became a target.
Now everyone wanted him silenced.
Another gunshot rang out.
This one hit.
Pain exploded through his leg.
Marcus stumbled and crashed onto the wet pavement.
The footsteps behind him grew louder.
Five armed men emerged from the darkness.
Their leader stepped forward.
“You should have handed over the drive.”
Marcus laughed despite the pain.
“You really think killing me ends this?”
The man smiled.
“It ends tonight.”
He raised his pistol.
Marcus knew he had seconds left.
Then suddenly—
A motorcycle burst into the alley.
The rider slammed into two gunmen before anyone could react.
Gunfire erupted.
Chaos exploded.
The rider grabbed Marcus by the collar.
“Get on!”
Marcus didn’t hesitate.
The motorcycle launched forward as bullets tore through the air behind them.
The city lights blurred.
The hunt had only just begun.
