Chapter 5: No Mercy

“Afraid?”

Maximilian repeated my words quietly, as if the term sounded strange to his own ears. His brow furrowed slightly, his gray eyes fixed on me without blinking.

I stared back at him. Something was different. I caught a flicker of emotion I'd never seen on Maximilian's face before.

Only a split second. So quick that anyone else might have missed it. But I wasn't anyone else.

After years of working as both a wedding planner and event organizer, I'd trained myself to read the body language of brides and grooms. Often a bride would give her groom just the smallest glance, and from that alone I'd know the dress needed altering, the decorations needed changing, or something was making her uncomfortable.

A look had become a language I understood far better than words. And just now, Maximilian had looked genuinely worried. He quickly hid that expression. So fast that his face returned to its usual coldness.

“Mrs. Blackridge.” Lucas's voice broke the silence. “I believe you've spoken out of line.”

I turned toward him. Before I could respond, Maximilian's voice rang out louder than before.

“I already told you! Emery is free to say whatever she wants to me.”

His tone was so sharp it sounded like a snap. The room fell suddenly silent.

Lucas tensed immediately. I fell silent too.

“My apologies, sir.” Lucas bowed his head at once.

Maximilian didn't even glance at him. His gaze stayed fixed on me. Slowly he stepped closer until our faces were once again only inches apart.

“I've never been afraid of anything, Emery,” Maximilian said, each word deliberate.

I held my breath instinctively.

“Until I met you,” Maximilian continued.

I raised both eyebrows. What? I hadn't misheard, had I?

Before I could process what he meant, a deafening gunshot rang out.

Bang!

“Ahh!” I let out a soft scream.

My body dropped into a crouch instinctively, hands covering my head. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap out of my chest.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

A burst of gunfire followed, shattering the suite's silence. The sound of breaking glass filled the room.

I didn't know who was shooting. I didn't know where the bullets were coming from. All I knew was that those terrifying sounds felt far too close.

Someone suddenly pulled at my body.

“Get down, Emery!”

I recognized the voice, Maximilian. For the first time since meeting him, I obeyed Maximilian's order without a single objection.

Maximilian held me tightly. My chest pressed against his body as he positioned himself in front of me, as if making himself a human shield.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Without realizing it, my hands clutched his jacket.

The gunfire kept exchanging back and forth for several seconds. I didn't even dare lift my head. Then, everything went suddenly quiet. Only the sound of our ragged breathing remained.

“We're leaving now.” Maximilian pulled at my shoulder gently.

Maximilian helped me stand. My legs shook violently. The first sight that met my eyes made me freeze instantly.

The massive glass window had shattered into pieces. Broken glass covered the floor. The table, the flower vase, the television, even the painting on the wall had all been destroyed by the gunfire.

I swallowed hard. This suite was on the fifth floor. Whoever had shot at us must have been targeting Maximilian specifically.

“Quickly, sir!” Lucas shouted from the doorway.

Maximilian gave a short nod. But when I tried to take a step, my knees gave out completely. Tears filled my eyes again.

I couldn't do it. I truly couldn't. Without saying a word, Maximilian bent down. He lifted my body into his arms.

I gasped. My hands wrapped instinctively around his neck to keep from falling. My body trembled. I buried my face in the curve of his shoulder.

Maximilian ran out of the suite with long strides. I kept my eyes shut tight. Until something warm dampened my fingers as I touched Maximilian's arm.

I opened my eyes slowly. Both my eyes went wide.

“You've been shot!” My voice trembled violently.

Maximilian kept running down the hotel corridor.

“That first shot earlier. It's nothing. I'm used to it,” Maximilian answered casually.

I stared at him in disbelief. Used to it? How could anyone consider a bullet lodged in their arm something ordinary?

“You need to get treated right away!” I cried, nearly in tears.

Maximilian only lifted one corner of his mouth. “Are you starting to worry about me now?”

I frowned in irritation. Had this man lost his mind? There was a bullet lodged in his arm, yet he still had time to tease me.

We finally reached the hotel's back lobby. Several black cars were already waiting with their engines running.

Before getting into the car, Maximilian paused for a moment. His gaze turned cold. He turned to Lucas.

“Finish them,” Maximilian ordered. “No mercy.”

I shuddered. He said those words as easily as someone ordering a cup of coffee.

Maximilian's world was truly the opposite of mine. I lived among guest lists, floral arrangements, wedding gowns, and sacred vows. While this man lived among blood, bullets, and death.

The car door shut the moment we got in. Before I could even catch my breath, Maximilian opened a medical kit stored beneath the seat. Without hesitation, he took out a small surgical blade and a pair of forceps.

“What are you doing?!” I asked, panicked.

Maximilian didn't answer. Instead, he tore open his own jacket sleeve, revealing the gunshot wound still bleeding.

I went pale instantly. With an expression that was nearly blank, Maximilian inserted the forceps into the wound.

“Maximilian, don't—”

I screamed as the madman dug the bullet out of his own arm. The blood flowed even more heavily. But what terrified me more was that he then took a surgical needle and began stitching his own wound without so much as a wince.

“Oh my God!” I was completely panicked.

My heart felt like it had stopped beating at the horrifying sight before me. But beneath that fear, something inside me stirred.

My humanity. I gritted my teeth, then leaned closer with trembling hands.

“What can I do to help, damn it?” I asked, my hands shaking. “You're terrifying!”