BULLETS AND BETRAYAL

Sonia’s POV

"Celine is back," I remarked gingerly. And she is after our son.

 Sonia exhaled in a waversing shutter.

 I could see it occurring—the conflict inside her. The anxiety. The frustration.

 She held Lucas's hand closer. " She won't touch him."

 Then remain," I advised. "fight her with me."

 Her lips quipped. " And you?"

 I glanced at her. Relentless.

 "I will fight for you right until my last breath."

 She drew a quick breath and a tear slid down her cheek.

 Then before she could respond—a black automobile shrieked to halt next to us.

 One door opened and a guy emerged.

 frigidity. merciless.

 And aiming Sonia a pistol squarely forward.

"Run!"

Ethan spoke sharply and urgently, but my legs stayed still.

 The man was only a few steps away, his rifle squarely aimed at me.

 Lucas grabbed my clothing and whimpered terrified.

 My pulse raced. I found it difficult to breathe.

 There was nothing like this occurring.

 Ethan gave the order, "Put the gun down," moving in front of me.

 The man remained still. His dark, cool gaze fixed on me. They were not hesitant in nature.

 Here he was meant to murder me.

 A nasty grimace twisted his mouth. "Mrs. Adamson, you were supposed not to return."

 Blood went to freeze in me. He was aware of my identity.

 With a tight body, Ethan moved forward once again. defending. All ready. "Who dispatched you?"

 The lad laughed. Like you are not aware of.

 Ethan's jaw closed. "If you damage her"—

 The man pointed the rifle in one direction only.

 Time pauses.

 Then Ethan leaped at him in one quick motion.

 The air echoed with a gunshot.

 Lucas gasped.

 And the world spun.

 Everything was in disarray.

 Ethan wrestled for the pistol by tackling the man to the ground. Fists soar. Pained grunts. A second shot tearing over the evening sounds.

 I snatched Lucas and started running. Ran like paradise.

 Get in the automobile! Ethan yelled while still in battle.

 I pushed open the vehicle door, forcing Lucas inside, and my hands faltered.

 He wailed, grabbing for me, "Mommy!"

 I touched his face while my voice trembled. "Baby, go down. Please do not move."

 Though he nodded, tears ran down his cheeks.

 Just as another gunshot fired, I closed the door firmly.

 Turn, my heart in my throat.

 On the ground, the hitman lay still.

 Over him, Ethan stood with his chest heaving and blood streaming from a cut on his forehead.

 His frantic gaze landed on me. "Are you harmed?"

 I shook my head and could hardly talk. No. Lucas—"

 "I have to get you both out of here." He snatched my arm. " Now."

 I stayed silent. Not could.

 His hands trembling, he pulled me into the car and grabbed the wheel.

 Then we shot into the darkness.

 We moved silently in our car.

 Exhausted from the terror, Lucas had fallen asleep in the rearseat.

 Ethan had a firm hold on the driving wheel, white knuckles.

 "Who else was that man?" My voice seemed just above a whisper.

 Ethan did not reply straight away.

 Then he let out a stiff jaw-action expiration. " A warning."

 I choked hard. "From someone? Silence: "

 Already I knew.

 "Celene."

 His fingers became tighter around the wheel. "She acts in groups rather than alone. She is being supported powerfully by someone.

 My gut went whirl. "And you knew."

 His eyes turned to me. Not related to this.

 I turned aside and fixed the passing city lights.

 Ethan had always harboured secrets. Including our marriage.

 And now, thanks to them, someone wanted me dead.

 I said softly, "I should have left."

 Ethan came down on the brakes.

 On the lonely road, the automobile slid to halt.

 He turned to face me, his brow wrinkled with annoyance. "You are not departing."

 I gave out a sour laugh. You don't get to determine that, Ethan.

 With his breathing labouring, he ran a hand through his hair. "Damn, Sonia! You ask me to let you go after tonight?

 I turned to meet his eye. "You already let me walk away once, I think."

 His eyes grew black. He flicked pain over his face.

 He nodded and said, "You're right." His voice was austere. Overwhelming in remorse. "I was a dumb man to let you go."

 My throat constricted.

 Five years: Five years of waiting had paid off to hear him say it.

 These days, though?

 It was now far too late.

 I pushed aside. "Take us to a motel, Ethan. I must spend time by myself.

 His jaw twitched. "Sona—" "Please."

 I momentarily imagined he might object.

 Then he drew back gently onto the road.

 Still, the tension in the automobile was really strong.

 And our war was not quite finished.

 We went to a five-star hotel.

 First Ethan got out, looking around. tense. All set for still another onslaught.

 As we came into the foyer, I kept Lucas close.

 The receptionist gave a nice grin. " greets Mr. Adamson. Your suite is almost ready.

 My stomach sank.

 I turned to face Ethan. "You already registered for a room?"

 He passed me by not looking. You're not remaining alone, then.

 My chest started to hurt with anger. "You don't get to make that decision for me."

 He fixed my eye with unflinching accuracy. "Watch me."

 My breath seized.

 Damage him. Damn the way he still sets my heart racing.

 I couldn't afford to go on a trip again though.

 Not when the past was wiggling back.

 I gasped sharply. "Great. I am, however, sleeping in a different room."

 He sneers. "We would see."

 I squinted. Brash bastard.

 I did not, however, argue.

 Deep down...I worried about how much I still desired him.

 In the bedroom Lucas was asleep.

 Ethan filled a glass and watched me from across the apartment.

 He was really overpowering. Feminine. powerful.

 I attempted to overlook my body's reactions to him.

 "Why are you exactly here, Ethan?" I crossed my arms and asked.

 He drank whisky, his eyes not clear. "To guard you".

 " Since when do you care?"

 His mouth closed tightly. "Since I realised the biggest mistake of my life was losing you."

 I drew in a stinging breath.

 I loathed him. I detested him for breaking through.

 My body, nevertheless, still recalled his touch.

 He moved slowly in my direction. " You don't believe me, do you?"

 I raised my chin. "NO."

 His lips opened to the ghost of a grin. Then let me show you.

 He touched my face before I could respond, his thumb just brushing my cheek.

 His touch was burning.

 I ought to have back off.

 But I neglected it.

 His lips floated inches apart from me. "Ask me to stop."

 I started to open my mouth.

 Nothing came of it.

 He smiled. That's what I considered.

 He then planted a kiss on me.

 Strong. Desperate. possessed; possessive.

 The flavour of whisky and remorse dissolved into something more fundamental.

 Something deadly.

 I ought to have shined him off.

 Rather, I drew him nearer.

 Because for the first time in years I felt alive.

 The kiss came off far too quickly.

 My heart thumping, I gulped for breath.

 Ethan pushed his forehead up to mine. Tell me you do not feel this."

 My chest grew tense.

 Neither could I.

 For the same reason I did. God, I did indeed.

 But first I needed to respond—

 Buzzing on my phone was something.

 A st

atement.

 I turned to study the screen. and my blood was chilly.