Just as her hand was about to touch me, Atlas kicked her away and quickly knocked me down onto the sofa.

Two crisp gunshots echoed in the hall, then a dull thud. It was followed by a commanding roar, "Nobody moves!"

The previously restless hall fell silent once again.

I found myself pinned beneath Atlas's tall figure, utterly bewildered by what had just happened.

As Atlas lifted me, I finally took in the scene before me. The sofa behind us had been pierced by bullets, leaving a gaping hole, indicating these were no ordinary bullets.

I grabbed onto Atlas, looking at him with horror. He shook his head reassuringly. "I'm fine."

It was then that I noticed the motionless big guy lying on the smooth ivory-colored marble floor beneath us. He lay there without a sound.

A stream of blood flowed outward from a hole in his head, rapidly spreading toward my feet.

It was a horrifying sight. I couldn't help but retch and moved back in horror.

"Don't be afraid." Atlas immediately held me cl