CHAPTER 29

The hallway outside Vera’s room was quiet when Kael arrived. Two guards straightened immediately when they saw him. One opened his mouth to speak, but Kael raised a hand slightly. The guard went silent.

Aaron followed behind, looking like he had a hundred questions with none answered.

“Kael,” he said quietly, “you’re seriously doing this now?”

“Yes.”

That’s it? Just yes?

Kael glanced at him. Prepared the jet.

Aaron ran a hand over his face. “You keep saying that like it’s normal to kidnap someone who already hates you.”

Kael didn’t respond. He simply pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Vera was sitting on the bed. She looked exhausted, eyes sharp and angry the moment she saw him.

“You,” she said.

Kael closed the door behind him. “We’re leaving.”

Vera let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “No.”

Aaron leaned against the wall near the door, clearly nervous. “Yeah… this is going to go badly.”

Vera stood up slowly, eyes locked on Kael. “You don’t get to walk in here after what you did and start giving orders.”

Kael walked closer, calm, steady. “We’re leaving,” he repeated.

“No,” she said again. “You can leave. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Aaron raised a hand slightly. “Maybe we should talk about this first—”

“No,” Vera snapped.

Aaron lowered his hand. “Okay. Not talking.”

Kael stopped a few steps away. “You’re coming.”

“And if I don’t?”

Kael looked at her. Then he said simply, “You won’t like how that ends.”

Vera’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I’d love to see you try.”

That was all the warning he gave.

She moved first, shoving him hard in the chest. Kael didn’t budge. She blinked. Then shoved him again, harder.

“You think you can just drag me around?” she said. “After killing my friend?”

Aaron shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah… that part is still not great.”

Kael ignored him. “Are you done?”

“No.”

She tried to push past him toward the door. He caught her wrist before she made it two steps.

Vera reacted instantly. She twisted, trying to pull free. “Let go of me.”

“No.”

She tried again, kicking at his leg. Aaron winced. “Oh wow, she’s really trying.”

Vera glared at him. “Stay out of this.”

“Trust me,” Aaron said, “I want to.”

Kael still held her wrist—not painfully, just firmly. “You’re coming with me,” he said.

“Over my dead body.”

“That can be arranged.”

Aaron coughed. “Okay maybe let’s not threaten murder tonight.”

Vera twisted again. Kael stepped closer. Her breath caught. They were too close.

“Let go,” she said quietly.

“No.”

Her jaw tightened. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re still coming.”

She tried again. It didn’t work. Then Kael moved. Before she could react properly, he lifted her—straight over his shoulder.

Vera froze for half a second. Then exploded. “What the hell—!”

She started hitting his back, kicking, twisting. Aaron’s eyes widened. “Okay, wow… you really went with that option.”

Kael walked toward the door like she weighed nothing.

“Put me down!” she snapped.

“No.”

“I swear if you don’t—”

“You’ll what?”

She hit him again, harder this time. “I will make your life miserable.”

Kael opened the door and stepped into the hallway. “I’m already aware of that.”

The guards tried not to react. Vera was still fighting him.

“You’re insane!”

“Probably.”

Aaron followed behind. “You know this is definitely going to come back to haunt you.”

Kael didn’t slow down. Vera twisted, trying to slide off his shoulder. His arm tightened slightly—not hurting, just stopping her.

“Stop moving,” he said.

“No, this is embarrassing "

“You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

“That’s the point!”

Aaron shook his head as they walked outside toward the car. “I can’t believe I’m watching this.”

Vera glared at him upside down. “You’re helping him!”

“I’m barely surviving him,” Aaron muttered.

They reached the car. Kael opened the door and set Vera inside. She immediately tried to get out again. He caught her before she could.

“Sit.”

“No.”

I don't like like repeating myself Vera.

She tried to push him. He grabbed both her wrists, pinned them gently but firmly.

“Stop.”

Her breathing was fast now. Angry, frustrated—but she couldn’t move.

“You think this scares me?” she said.

“No,” Kael said calmly. “I think you’re stubborn.”

Aaron got into the front seat. “This might be the most stressful drive of my life.”

Vera glared at Kael the entire time. “You’re unbelievable.”

“You’ve said that already.”

“And I mean it.”

“I know.”

She tried pulling her wrists free again. He didn’t let go.

“Relax,” he said.

“I would rather jump out of the car.”

“That won’t happen.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

Aaron looked back. “Are we going to talk about where we’re going?”

“No.”

“Of course not,” Aaron muttered.

They arrived at the private jet. Engines already running. Vera looked at it, then back at Kael.

“You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not getting on that.”

Kael opened the door, looking at her. “Get out.”

“No.”

He sighed slightly. Then lifted her again, straight over his shoulder. Vera immediately started struggling.

“You cannot keep doing that!”

“Watch me.”

She hit his back again. “You’re the worst person I’ve ever met.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is tonight.”

Aaron jogged beside them again. “You’re really committing to this, huh?”

“Yes.”

They reached the jet ramp. Vera was still fighting.

“Put me down!”

He did. Inside the jet, he immediately strapped her into a seat. She tried to push him away again. He caught her hands before she could.

“Stay.”

“No.”

“You’re not leaving.”

“I will find a way.”

Kael leaned slightly closer. “Try.”

Vera’s chest heaved. “I—”

“Enough,” Kael cut her off, voice low, sharp. “Don’t test me, Vera.”

She froze instantly. Shivering—not from fear exactly, but from the cold certainty in his presence. Every muscle in her body tensed.

Aaron dropped into a seat nearby. “Well,” he muttered, “this is going to be a long flight.”

Vera glared at Kael. “I hate you.”

“I know,” he replied calmly. The last words of the night pressing down like a warning.

The jet door closed. Engines roared. None of them—especially Vera—had any idea what was coming next.