Novel-novel oleh Glory Ekwe

ELENA POVIts been 6 months now.The air felt different.Lighter.For the first time in a long time… I could breathe without fear sitting in my chest.Recovery hadn’t been easy.The scars remained—some visible, some not.But I was stronger now.Not because I survived.But because I chose to keep living.I stood on the balcony of the estate, the evening sun painting the sky in soft gold and deep orange. The wind brushed gently against my skin, and for once… it didn’t feel like a warning.It felt like peace.“You’re thinking too much again.”I smiled before turning.Damian.He looked… different too.Still powerful. Still dangerous.But softer around the edges when he looked at me.“Am I?” I teased lightly.“Always,” he replied, stepping closer.There was no tension between us now.No walls.Just something steady.Real.“I was just thinking,” I said quietly, “how everything changed.”His

DAMIAN POVThe hospital smelled like antiseptic and fear.I hated it.I hated everything about it.The bright lights.The rushed footsteps.The way time slowed and sped up at the same time.“Elena!” I shouted as they rushed her through the emergency doors.Doctors. Nurses. Hands everywhere.“Gunshot wound—significant blood loss—get the OR ready!”“She’s crashing!”The words hit like bullets.“No—” I grabbed the stretcher before they could pull her away. “You save her.”A doctor stepped in front of me. “Sir, you need to let us—”“Save her,” I repeated, my voice low, shaking with something dangerous. “Or this entire hospital answers to me.”Silence.Tension.Then—“We’re doing everything we can,” he said quickly.They pulled her away.And just like that—She was gone again.The doors to the operating room slammed shut.And I was left outside.Powerless.I ran a hand through my hair, pac

DAMIAN POVShe saved me.The realization hit harder than the bullet wound.Elena.Fighting.Thinking.Moving like she belonged in chaos.Like she had always been this strong.I kept up with her pace, ignoring the pain tearing through my shoulder.“Left!” she said.I didn’t question it.Didn’t hesitate.I followed.Because somehow—She knew.We turned sharply, slipping through a narrow exit just as more gunfire erupted behind us.Cold night air hit my face.Freedom.Almost.Cars screeched in the distance—my men.Right on time.Elena slowed slightly, breath heavy, but her grip on me didn’t loosen.“You came,” she said quietly.I looked at her.Really looked.She wasn’t the same woman who had been chained.She wasn’t afraid.She was fire.“I told you,” I said, voice rough, “I’d find you.”Her eyes softened—but only for a second.Then—“We’re not safe yet.”A small smile tugged at my lips despite everything.“Yeah,” I said.“I noticed.”Behind us—The warehouse doors burst open.Anton ste

DAMIAN POVAnton didn’t move.That was the problem.Men like him—They don’t panic.They don’t rush.They wait.And somehow…They’re always ahead.“You walked right into it,” Anton said, his voice smooth, almost bored.I didn’t lower my gun.“Where is she?”A faint smile curved his lips.“Still asking the wrong question.”My finger tightened slightly on the trigger.“Last chance.”He tilted his head.“You think this ends with bullets?”A click echoed behind me.I stilled.Another one to my left.And then—Several more.My jaw tightened.Surrounded.Of course.Anton stepped forward, hands casually in his pockets.“No matter how powerful you are, Damian… there’s always a blind spot.”My mind was already calculating.Distance.Angles.Targets.I could take three—maybe four—before they got a clean shot.But not all.Not like this.Not if—“Elena,” I muttered under my breath.Anton heard it.And smiled wider.“Yes,” he said softly. “Let’s talk about her.”Rage flared sharp and fast in my c

The warehouse sat too quiet.That was the first thing I noticed.No obvious guards.No visible movement.No noise except the distant crash of waves against metal.Anton was inviting me in.I know you Anton I stepped out of the car slowly, adjusting the cuff of my sleeve like this was just another business meeting—not a rescue mission that could end in blood.“Perimeter?” I asked.“Scattered,” Noah replied through the comms. “Heat signatures inside, but they’re moving irregularly.”Decoys.Or rotating guards.Either way—calculated.I slid my gun into place, movements precise, controlled.“Team A, west entrance. Team B, hold position until I give the signal,” I ordered.“You’re going in first?” Noah asked.“Yes.”A pause.Then, “Understood.”I moved.Every step deliberate. Silent. Focused.The side entrance door was slightly ajar.Of course it was.Anton doesn’t lock doors.He opens them.I pushed it slowly and slipped inside.Dark.Cold.The scent of rust and oil clung to the air.My

ELENA POV The chain finally gave. A soft click. Barely audible. But I felt it. My breath caught as I froze, listening. Nothing. No footsteps rushing in. No alarms. Good. I'm finally free... Slowly—carefully—I twisted my wrist again. The loosened joint shifted just enough. Pain shot through my skin as I forced my hand through the cuff, scraping against metal, biting down hard to keep from making a sound. One more push— And my hand slipped free. I almost laughed. Not out loud. Never out loud. But inside? Fire. I did it. Holy shit.. I actually did it, I said o my self as I sat there to process everything. I didn’t move immediately. That would be stupid. Instead, I stayed exactly where I was, head lowered, breathing shallow—like I was still restrained. Listening. Counting. Steps outside. Three… two… one… Turn. Good. Routine confirmed. I slid my freed hand slowly forward, reaching down to my ankle restraints. These were easier. Less secure. Thirty seconds lat