Chapter 3. In the middle of chaos

Courtney didn’t say a word. He just caught my hand and pulled me out of the house, fast, like the walls were burning behind us.

“Courtney! Where the hell are we going? Why are we running?” My voice shook with fear, lungs burning from the sprint.

A gunshot cracked the night—loud, ruthless. My heart lurched as if the bullet had kissed my skin. I didn’t dare look back.

“What is happening?!” I shouted again, breathless. “Why won’t you answer me? Where are you taking me?”

His face stayed locked, jaw tight, eyes like steel. The silence between us felt heavier than the gunfire chasing our steps.

We burst through the trees, finally ducking under a thick shadow of branches. He shoved me behind cover, his grip still iron on my wrist. His other hand raised a gun—dark, loaded, unapologetic.

A knot formed in my stomach. God... what if he’s one of them?

“You!” My voice cracked with anger and fear. “Tell me! Who’s after us? Where the hell are you dragging me? Answer me—”

He kissed me.

I gasped, caught off guard, frozen under the weight of it. When he pulled back, I stared at him, stunned. Before I could even find words, shouts and gunfire echoed through the trees.

Courtney leaned close, his lips brushing my ear. “Kiss me like you mean it.”

“W-What?”

“Do it, or you die, woman.”

My chest tightened. “Stop calling me that. I have a name. Adeleine.”

That crooked smile flickered on his face—dangerous and disarming. “Adeleine... Beautiful name.” And before I could curse him, his mouth was on mine again.

This time, I didn’t resist. His kiss was slower, hungrier—like fire pressed against my skin. Sparks tore through me, every nerve betraying me. My hands clung to him, pulling him closer, like we were lovers snatching seconds before the world ended. His hand cupped my face, firm yet tender, and my knees nearly buckled under the weight of it.

It was wrong. It was madness. But God help me—I didn’t want to stop.

---

An hour later, we were in his car, tearing away from Los Monterio.

I sat in silence, hands trembling on my lap. My mind spun with the chaos of the night. Fear. Relief. Confusion. And him.

His phone rang. He picked it up, voice clipped, merciless.

“Cancel the meeting.”

“I said cancel it, I’ve got bigger things.”

“Check him. Report back fast.”

A pause. His voice dropped darker. “And if the money’s not there, make him regret it. Don’t call me again without news.”

The words crawled over my skin. Cold. Brutal. Was I sitting next to a criminal? A killer?

He hung up. The silence after was deafening.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked, eyes still on the road.

I exhaled hard. “Courtney... thank you. But stop the car.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“Just stop. Let me out.”

His grip tightened on the wheel. “You want me to dump you here? On a bloody bridge?”

“Courtney—just stop the car!”

I lunged for the wheel. He cursed, yanked it back, and slammed the brakes. The car screeched to a halt. I threw the door open and stumbled out.

Courtney followed, leaning against the car, arms folded, staring like he wanted to read my soul. His shadow loomed in the empty road, the world dead quiet around us.

“What’s wrong with you?” His tone was sharp, clipped.

I snapped, anger spilling out. “You’re impossible! Yes, you saved me—but no answers, no truth. The gun, the men chasing us—where are you even taking me? You’re driving me insane!”

His gaze hardened, that dangerous calm still painted on his face. “I’ll explain later. Now, get back in the car. Don’t make me force you. I’m not gentle.”

“Stop calling me ‘woman.’ And leave me here! I was thankful, but not anymore.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because—just go!” My voice broke. “I’ll pay you for the help. Give me your account.”

He smirked, head tilting. “Pay me? With what, Adeleine? You’ve got nothing. Except me.”

“You’re insufferable,” I spat, turning to walk.

But before my second step, his hand yanked me back just as a car blasted past. The air from it nearly spun me off my feet. He growled low, his hand gripping my arm.

“Are you mad? Don’t do that again, Adeleine.” His voice was sharp, but the flash in his eyes wasn’t anger—it was concern.

“Now get in the car.”

That was it. My knees buckled, tears flooding before I could stop them. My body gave way, collapsing against the ground as sobs tore out of me.

Courtney crouched down. His voice softened, losing its edge. “Alright. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to shout. But listen—I need you calm. I need you to trust me until we get where we’re going.”

If only he knew... these weren’t just tonight’s tears. They were years of being caged, beaten, broken.

“I’m not your husband, Adeleine,” he murmured, steady and firm. “I’m not here to chain you. You came to me. You asked me to hide you. You promised you’d do anything. Remember that.”

I swallowed hard, shame heating my cheeks. “I... I’m sorry. I panicked. Everything’s too much. And... I didn’t expect you to—”

He smirked, sly. “The kiss? You didn’t expect to enjoy it?”

“What?!” My face burned hotter.

“You didn’t pull away,” he teased, eyes gleaming. “It was supposed to last five seconds. You made it longer.”

“That’s not true!” I shot back, flustered. “I just—panicked! It wasn’t intentional!”

He leaned closer, lips curved. “Then why are you so defensive?”

“I am not defensive!” I said, crossing my arms, though my voice betrayed me.

He chuckled, low. “Get back in the car. Come on.”

He reached for my hand, but I jerked away, cold. “Don’t touch me. I can handle myself.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets, that cocky smirk never leaving. “Touch scares you... but a kiss doesn’t?”