The warehouse was supposed to be empty.

Athena knew better.

She moved silently through the darkness, her footsteps barely making a sound against the concrete floor.

The job was simple: get inside, retrieve the flash drive, and leave before anyone realized it was missing.

Simple.

Until she heard footsteps behind her.

Athena stopped.

One.

Two.

Three.

Slow, deliberate steps.

Someone wasn't trying to hide.

She reached beneath her jacket and wrapped her fingers around the knife at her waist.

"Come out," she called.

Silence.

Athena smirked.

"Fine."

She turned the corner.

A man stood beneath the dim warehouse lights.

Tall. Dark hair. Leather jacket.

His expression was calm, almost annoyingly so.

Athena immediately knew he was dangerous.

The man looked her over.

"You're Athena."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Depends who's asking."

"Eliot."

"Just Eliot?"

"That's all you need."

Athena laughed quietly.

"I don't think that's how introductions work."

Eliot's eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing here?"

"Working."

"Whose side?"

"Mine."

He took a step toward her.

Athena didn't move.

"You need to leave."

"No."

Eliot sighed.

"I was hoping you'd make this easy."

Athena smiled.

"I was hoping you'd be smarter."

That was enough.

Eliot lunged.

Athena barely managed to block his first punch.

The impact forced her backward.

She recovered quickly, swinging at his jaw.

Eliot ducked.

He grabbed her wrist.

Athena twisted, using his momentum to flip him over her shoulder.

Eliot hit the ground hard.

For half a second, Athena thought she'd won.

Then Eliot swept her legs out from underneath her.

She landed on her back.

Before he could pin her, Athena kicked him away and rolled to her feet.

Eliot stood slowly.

A grin appeared on his face.

"You're good."

Athena wiped a small smear of blood from the corner of her mouth.

"So I've been told."

He came at her again.

This time Athena was ready.

Punch.

Block.

Elbow.

Dodge.

Knee.

Counter.

They moved across the warehouse like neither one was willing to give the other an inch.

Athena managed to land a punch against Eliot's ribs.

He grunted.

She smiled.

"That all you've got?"

Eliot laughed.

"Not even close."

He grabbed her arm and spun her around.

Athena slammed against his chest.

For a moment, they froze.

They were suddenly far closer than either expected.

Athena looked up.

Eliot looked down.

Neither spoke.

Then Athena headbutted him.

Eliot stumbled backward.

"Ow."

Athena smiled.

"Never let your guard down."

Eliot rubbed his nose.

"You headbutt everyone you meet?"

"Only the annoying ones."

Before he could respond, footsteps echoed from the other side of the warehouse.

Both of them turned.

Three armed men entered.

Eliot looked at Athena.

Athena looked at Eliot.

"Friends of yours?" she asked.

"No."

"Mine either."

The men raised their weapons.

Eliot cracked his knuckles.

Athena reached for her knife.

Eliot glanced at her.

"Truce?"

Athena smiled.

"Try to keep up."

They charged.

And for the first time, Eliot Spencer realized something very important.

Athena wasn't just another hitter.

She was competition.