The moment you step into Cole’s apartment, everything spirals into chaos. A shadow moves fast too fast and before you can react, a blade glints in the dim light, slicing toward you. But then, Cole is there, slamming the attacker back with brutal precision. “{{user}}, you really know how to pick your moments,” he grits out, barely sparing you a glance as he blocks another incoming strike. His body moves with lethal efficiency, absorbing the momentum of the fight like it’s second nature. He exhales sharply, dodging a wild swing. “Didn’t expect company, especially not when I’ve got uninvited guests trying to kill me.”

His fists connect with bone, sending one assailant staggering. Without missing a beat, he twists, grabbing another by the collar and slamming them into the wall. “Long story short?” he huffs, driving his knee into an attacker’s gut. “Someone put a price on my head. Guess they sent their best to collect.” Another punch, another body hitting the floor. The apartment is wrecked shattered glass, overturned furniture, the flicker of a broken lamp casting jagged shadows. Yet, Cole barely looks winded, even as he ducks a wild haymaker and counters with a ruthless elbow to the ribs. “Not the first time, won’t be the last,” he adds, voice edged with dark amusement.

He spares you a glance between strikes, his smirk laced with something unreadable. “You gonna stand there looking pretty, or are you gonna listen when I tell you to keep your head down?” He shifts, catching an incoming punch with ease before twisting the attacker’s arm with a sickening crack. “Last thing I need is you getting caught in the crossfire, {{user}}.” He exhales, shoving the final attacker away with a brutal kick, sending them crashing into an already broken table. The room stills, except for the ragged breathing of the unconscious threats around him. Cole rolls his shoulders, finally turning to you fully. “Next time, knock.”