Volume 4: Counterattack from the Edge
Summary: Jack infiltrates Richard's hidden compound alone, engages in a brutal confrontation with his men, and ultimately rescues Isabella—only to face an unbearable loss.
The night on Saint Lucia Island was deceptively still, cloaked in danger. Jack moved like a shadow through the dense jungle, his instincts sharpened by years in New York's underworld. The so-called impenetrable defenses of Richard's estate were riddled with flaws in Jack's eyes.
He had studied the layout provided by Kevin. He knew Isabella was likely being held in the basement of the main house. The challenge now was getting inside without alerting Richard.
Jack crouched behind a tall palm tree, narrowing his eyes as he observed the mansion. The lights blazed from every window, voices and laughter spilling out—Richard hadn't let the kidnapping interfere with his indulgence.
Then Jack spotted it—the ventilation shaft at the back garden, narrow but just wide enough for him to slip through.
He exhaled slowly, stretched his limbs, and in one fluid motion, leapt forward like a panther, disappearing into the darkness of the garden.
Inside the mansion's living room, Richard lounged in smug satisfaction, watching Isabella's terrified expression. A glass of red wine swirled in his hand like blood.
"Isabella, look at this—Jack Reno, once the wolf of Wall Street, now a stray dog at my feet. This is what happens when you cross me," he sneered, laughing cruelly.
Bound to a chair, her mouth sealed with tape, Isabella could only mumble helplessly. Her eyes burned with fury and despair—but more than anything, fear for Jack. She knew how ruthless Richard was. She prayed Jack wouldn't fall into his trap.
"Don't worry, you'll see him soon." Richard picked up his phone. "Butler, have you found him yet?"
A low voice answered from the other end. "Sir, we've tightened security, but no sign of Jack Reno. We've alerted the island police—they're helping us search."
"Good. Double the bounty if they find him," Richard ordered coldly.
Suddenly, the lights flickered—and then the entire mansion plunged into darkness.
"What the hell?!" Richard barked.
One of his guards rushed in, panic in his voice. "Power failure, sir!"
Richard's face darkened instantly. This wasn't coincidence. It was Jack.
"Search the grounds! Find him now!" he roared.
Chaos erupted as armed men scoured the mansion with flashlights, tension thickening the air.
Meanwhile, Jack had slipped through the vent and into the basement. His eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness, and within moments, he found the room where Isabella was held.
"Isabella!" he whispered urgently, cutting the ropes around her wrists.
She threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm here," he murmured, peeling away the tape from her mouth.
"Jack, be careful! Richard—" she started, but heavy footsteps echoed outside.
"Go!" Jack grabbed her hand, and they slipped through a side exit into the shadows.
They barely made it out when several guards rounded the corner, flashlights sweeping the hall.
"There they are! Get them!" one shouted.
Without hesitation, Jack pulled out his knife and charged. His movements were swift, precise—one guard went down with a slash to the throat, another crumpled under a blow to the temple.
"Run!" Jack urged, dragging Isabella toward the edge of the property.
Gunfire erupted behind them, bullets whizzing past.
"Down!" Jack shoved Isabella behind cover, shielding her body with his own.
They sprinted through the trees, dodging shots, until they finally reached the shore.
"We can't escape… Richard must've locked down the island," Isabella panted, fear in her eyes.
Jack gazed at the turbulent sea, a faint smirk forming. "Who said we're escaping?"
He pointed to a sleek speedboat anchored nearby. "That's Richard's yacht. He won't expect us to go straight to it."
"You want to go there?" Isabella gasped. "It's his base! Full of his men!"
"I know," Jack replied, determination burning in his eyes. "But it's our only way off the island. And if we take that boat, we take control."
With practiced stealth, they approached the yacht, avoiding patrols, slipping aboard like ghosts. Inside, the cabin was lit with opulent chandeliers.
On deck, Richard paced furiously. "Damn you, Jack Reno! Where are you hiding?!"
In one swift movement, Jack lunged from the shadows, gripping Richard's neck.
"Don't move," Jack growled, pressing a blade against his throat.
Richard froze, stunned beyond belief. "Jack… what do you want?"
"To make you pay," Jack spat. "You kidnapped Isabella. Framed me. You've committed crimes that can never be erased. Tonight, I end it."
At the same time, Isabella subdued the remaining guards, binding them with practiced efficiency.
"Now," Jack said, dragging Richard toward the helm. "We're leaving."
But one guard broke free, pulling a gun and aiming straight at Jack.
"Jack!" Isabella screamed.
Jack reacted instantly—shoving Richard forward and ducking aside.
BANG!
The bullet tore into Richard's shoulder. He screamed, collapsing to the floor.
Before the guard could fire again, Jack tackled him, kicking the weapon away and knocking him unconscious with a single punch.
"Pathetic," Jack muttered, picking up the gun and pointing it at the fallen man.
Then, Richard rose suddenly, grabbing a fruit knife and lunging at Jack.
Too fast. No time to dodge.
"Jack!" Isabella screamed.
Just as the blade was about to strike, she threw herself in front of him.
The knife buried deep into her abdomen.
Blood bloomed across her clothes like ink in water.
"No!" Jack caught her as she fell, horror flooding his eyes.
Richard laughed, twisted and victorious. "Jack Reno… you lose."
Jack stared at him, rage twisting his features. Like a beast unleashed, he seized Richard by the throat.
"I'll kill you!" he snarled, squeezing tighter.
Richard clawed at Jack's hands, struggling for breath. His face turned pale, his vision fading.
But just before Richard slipped into oblivion, Jack stopped.
He looked down at Isabella—her breathing shallow, her life slipping away. Anger gave way to terror. He couldn't afford vengeance—not now.
He released Richard and scooped Isabella into his arms, rushing to the helm.
"Go! Take us to the nearest hospital!" he shouted at the pilot.
The pilot, shaken, obeyed immediately. The yacht surged forward, slicing through the waves.
Jack held Isabella tightly, pressing his hand to her wound. "Stay with me… we're almost there…"
Her hand trembled as she touched his cheek. "Jack… I love you…"
Her eyes fluttered shut.
"No… Isabella… don't leave me…" Jack's voice cracked, grief tearing through him like a storm.
He held her lifeless body close, rocking gently as the yacht sped into the night.
His world had shattered.
And in the silence of the open sea, Jack drifted—alone, broken, and lost in the endless dark.