章 149: Suspicion

BANG!

Time stopped for both Xander and Ryder as the sound they were expecting — which was Xander's gasp upon getting his airways slit — didn't come. Instead, a loud gunshot was heard. Both had their eyes wide open. Xander gazed up at Ryder with his mouth wide open. Meanwhile, Ryder peeked down as he clutched his bleeding chest.

THUD!

Ryder dropped to his knees, still clutching his bleeding chest. The knife in his hand landed on the ground with a faint clang, followed by his gasp for air. 

Xander blinked, confused at the turn of events. When he looked back, all he saw was his assistant standing from a distance with a pistol in his hand.

"Vayne," Xander heaved a sigh of relief, looking back at the struggling Ryder. "I almost accepted death for a second."