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,