Chapter 5

They put me in an unmarked armored SUV.

Gabriel rode in the lead vehicle while Julian sat beside me, personally making sure I couldn't escape.

After the gates closed behind us, he cut the restraint from my wrists.

"You remember our first life too," I said.

Julian was silent for a moment.

"Yes."

"And you're still just as cruel."

His expression tightened.

"I'm sorry."

I slapped him.

His face turned with the force of it. Dark hair fell across his eyes, hiding whatever emotion passed through them.

"Those are the three words I need least from you in either lifetime."

Julian didn't defend himself.

After a moment, he reached for my hand and held it tightly.

"I swear this is the last time."

I tried to pull away, but he refused to release me.

"Bianca is my responsibility. Let me bring her back and fulfill my final duty as her guard. The moment she's safe, I'll return for you."

I looked at him coldly.

"This is only a temporary exchange," he continued. "I won't let them truly hurt you."

"You let me drown in our first life."

His grip tightened.

"And now you're personally delivering me to the people who demanded me. Tell me what's different this time."

His face lost some of its color.

"This time, I'll come back."

"And if they hurt me before you do?"

Julian covered my hand with both of his.

"They won't. I promise. If anyone touches you, I'll make them pay for it."

I laughed softly.

For seven years, Julian had never spoken, and I had learned to interpret every glance and movement for him.

Now he could finally say everything I had once wanted to hear.

I no longer believed a word.

The exchange took place in an abandoned freight yard outside the city.

Bianca appeared between two armed men with her wrists tied in front of her.

She had no visible injuries. Her hair was still clean, and when we passed each other, I caught the faint scent of her perfume.

Then she saw the Kane brothers.

"Julian! Gabriel!"

Bianca broke into a run.

I turned instinctively.

Julian reached her first.

He crossed the marked boundary and caught her against his chest. His arms closed around her so tightly that his hands began to shake.

Gabriel immediately cut the ropes from her wrists and wrapped his coat around her shoulders.

Julian lowered his head to examine her face.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I should have protected you."

Something inside me still hurt.

I had already accepted that no one would choose me. I had told myself that watching it happen again wouldn't matter.

Apparently, some wounds didn't care what I had accepted.

A hand caught me from behind.

I opened my mouth to call Julian's name, but a cloth was forced between my lips before I could make a sound.

The kidnappers dragged me backward.

Julian was still holding Bianca.

Gabriel stood beside them, shielding her with his body.

Not one of them looked back.