Sweat covered Liu Peng from head to toe. He ran as though death itself were chasing him.
His ragged breaths echoed through the narrow alley, his shoes striking the pavement in frantic, uneven steps. The oversized coat that had concealed him only minutes earlier now hindered his movements, its loose fabric whipping around his legs.
He dared not look back.
He could hear footsteps.
Fast.
Closing in.
The open street was only a few feet away.
Just a little farther.
A little—
"Liu Peng!"
His heart nearly stopped.
Qi Li was gaining on him.
The distance between them vanished in seconds. Qi Li extended his arm, his fingers closing around the back of the middle-aged man's coat.
But before he could secure his grip—
A tremendous force struck him from the side.
*Thud!
Qi Li was tackled to the ground.
