Chapter 24
I gave him a hard look, tone sharp. “Of course it is not you, Austin. Keep that in your head.”
We hit the perimeter, demolition experts ready. A single nod from me and the bombs went off blowing the main gates to pieces. Rain and debris mixed as screams and gunfire erupted. My men moved like shadows, precise, taking out the mercenaries blocking the way.
I led from the front, taking aim, firing with deadly calm. Every movement, every shot, was for her Bodies fell. The chaos was absolute.
Austin’s men covered the flanks, shouting orders, but I noticed several casualties. I gritted my teeth. “Stay alive. She is waiting for us! Nobody dies before I get her out.”
I felt the heat of the battle in every nerve, but nothing mattered more than finding her, keeping her safe. This night, this fight, it was for her life. And when it was over, anyone who dared touch Dahlia would regret it forever.
DAHLIA’S POV
I hear the chaos outside and my heart jumps. The metal echo of footsteps, the gunfire, the shouting of men-I know this is my chance. I pull at the ropes binding my wrists, but they dig into my skin. My pulse races as I struggle to think clearly.
I spot Mr. and Mrs. McKinsey just beyond the shadows, calm as if they were attending a dinner party, holding guns and a bomb remote like it is a toy. My stomach drops.
I scream at the top of my lungs. “Max! They have a bomb! Max!”
“We’re coming, Dahlia! We’re going to save you no matter what! Hold on, I am coming for you!” heard him scream back.
Then Yvette stumbles into the room, her face pale but still defiant, blood from the mercenary casualties splattered across her dress. She locks eyes with me and her laugh is cold, insane.
I see Austin’s shadow move through the chaos and he glares at Yvette.
Yvette screams, voice shrill and panicked. “Why are you here Austin? To save this bitch Dahlia
too?”
Austin steps forward, voice low and deadly. “I do what I have to. Step aside or die.”
Yvette’s eyes fill with tears, but she’s still furious. “I did everything for you! I risked everything And this is how you betray me! You promised me everything!”
Austin’s glare pierces her. “I didn’t love you Yvette. Not ever. Now move or get out of my way.”
And then Max entered, “Give me back Dahlia, Yvette, or you will be sorry. Every single one of you.”
Yvette laughs, a sound that makes my stomach twist. “Who says I will give her back alive?”
She lifts the gun toward me, and my body freezes. My hands are useless, my heart hammering. Mrs. McKinsey steps forward, smirking like I am some kind of toy she owns. “Don’t worry, dear. None of you and your lovers get out alive.”
Then she presses the bomb timer and the air snapped with gunfire. Maximilian didn’t miss. Two
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clean shots, and Yvette’s parents hit the ground like broken dolls. Everyone in the warehous froze for a heartbeat, then chaos exploded.
Yvette’s scream tore through the noise. She spun, her hand shaking as she pointed the gu straight at me. My chest locked. I tried to twist away, useless in the ropes, helpless.
“Don’t you da-”
The bang was deafening.
But the bullet didn’t hit me.
Austin’s body lurched in front of mine, his arms out like a shield. The sound of his groan cu through everything. He staggered back, hand clutching his stomach. Blood seeped fast betwee his fingers.
My whole body went ice cold. “Austin!” I screamed. “No, no, no, you idiot, why did you-”
Yvette’s face crumpled, her gun still trembling in her hand. “I… I didn’t mean to!” Her voice wa wild, broken. She dropped to her knees, shaking her head like she could undo it. “Austin, I’r sorry! I didn’t want this! Oh no, what have I done? Please, forgive me!”
Austin’s eyes narrowed even through the pain. His words came rough, forced through gritte
eeth. “You… always… ruin everything.”
Allen’s voice cut sharp and hard. “Yvette!”
Another shot cracked. Yvette’s body jerked, then she hit the floor, blood spilling across th
concrete. Silence swallowed the room for a moment.
Maximilian’s roar snapped it apart. “Retreat! Move now!”
His men surged forward, covering us while others pulled Austin’s half-conscious body out. Alle shouted orders, his face grim, his hands already pressing on Austin’s wound.
Then Maximilian was in front of me, his eyes blazing, his hands tearing at my restraints. “Dahlia
ook at me. Stay with me.’
The ropes fell. My wrists were raw and trembling.
reached for him, panicked. “Max, I can’t move, my legs, I can’t-”
He didn’t let me finish. He swept me up against his chest, his voice rough with urgency. “Hold or o me. I’ve got you. I swear, I’ve got you.”
The warehouse shook with a rumble that made the ground split under us. I clung to him, buried my face into his shoulder, as he sprinted for the exit.
Behind us, the world went white.
The bomb went off.
Chapter 24
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