The door slammed open, making Sarah flinch.The leaderโs aide entered again, this time dragging two men in zip ties behind him. The captors from before, Geraldโs men.Their faces were bruised, and one limped as he was forced to kneel on the cold concrete floor in front of the leader.โWe caught them snooping near the perimeter,โ the aide said, his tone clipped. โClaim they were looking for her.โ He nodded toward Sarah.The leaderโs sharp eyes flicked from the captors to Sarah, then back to the men on the floor.His gaze was unrelenting, cold enough to make even hardened criminals squirm.โWho sent you?โ the leader demanded, his voice a low growl that made Sarahโs stomach churn.The captors exchanged nervous glances, one of them swallowing hard.โAnswer me,โ the leader snapped, his tone like a whip.โWe... we were just following orders,โ one of them stammered, his voice trembling.โWhose orders?โThe man hesitated, but the aide didnโt give him a chance to think.A swift kick to his side
Inside the hall, the leader stood in the middle of the room, his black coat billowing slightly as he paced before the two kneeling captors.His imposing figure loomed like an executionerโs shadow, and his eyes burned with an intensity that froze the men before him.โYou crossed into my territory,โ the leader said, his voice calm but laced with menace. โYou broke my rules.โThe first captor, still shaking, stammered, โW.. we didnโt know it was your territory. We were just following Geraldโs orders.โThe leader tilted his head, a faint, humorless smile curving his lips. โIgnorance doesnโt absolve you of guilt.โThe second captor, now sweating profusely, tried to speak, but the leader raised a hand, silencing him.โYou came into my domain,โ he continued, his voice like steel. โYou endangered my people. And for what? To do Geraldโs dirty work?โHe stopped pacing, turning sharply to face the men. โYour actions warrant consequences.โWithout hesitation, he pulled out his gun, a sleek black
The tension in the air seemed to dissipate as the leader rose from behind his massive oak desk, a faint smile tugging at his lips.The room, though dimly lit, radiated a quiet power, much like the man himself.The glass of whiskey in his hand swirling lazily. His piercing eyes remained trained on the door, the faint sound of footsteps growing louder as his trusted aide approached.โTheyโre here,โ the aide announced.The leader nodded, his face unreadable as he rose from his seat. โBring them in.โThe door opened, and two figures entered the room.One was unmistakably Carter, Alexanderโs most loyal man, his presence commanding yet respectful.Beside him, Alexander sat in his wheelchair, his expression a blend of exhaustion and resolve.โAlexander Blake,โ the leader said warmly, stepping forward.His voice carried the weight of authority, yet it softened as he extended a hand. โItโs been too long.โAlexander, seated in his wheelchair, managed a weary smile. โIndeed, Darius. Too long.โ H
The drive away from Darius's compound was steeped in a heavy silence, the hum of the car engine the only sound as Carter navigated the winding roads.Sarah sat beside Alexander, her hands gripping her knees as she tried to calm her racing heart.The events of the night replayed in her mind, Geraldโs betrayal, her desperate escape, and the unsettling presence of Darius.Finally, unable to contain her curiosity, she turned to Alexander. โWho is he?โ she asked quietly.Alexander, seated in his wheelchair with a blanket draped over his legs, glanced at her.He knew the question would come, and he seemed to take a moment to gather his thoughts before answering.โDarius isโฆ complicated,โ Alexander began, his voice low. โHis full name is Darius Blackwell. Heโs the kind of man who can command a room with a single glance. People fear him for good reason. Heโs ruthless, calculated, and incredibly powerful.โSarah frowned, her brow furrowing. โBut you said youโre friends?โAlexander nodded, a fa
The study in Gerald estate was a scene of chaos. Papers were scattered across the desk and floor, a glass of whiskey had shattered against the wall, and Gerald himself stood in the middle of the room, breathing heavily.His face was flushed with rage, his hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles were white.โDarius Blackwell,โ he spat the name like venom. โThat damn bastard.โThe message Darius had sent earlier, complete with the tongueless man and a chilling note, still lingered on his desk. Now, Gerald had received fresh news, not only had Alexander Blake managed to get Sarah, but he had done so with Dariusโs blessing.Gerald slammed his fist onto the desk, the sound echoing through the room. โHow?โ he hissed, his voice trembling with anger. โHow is Alexander still alive? How is he always one step ahead?โGerald paced the room, his thoughts spiraling. The fact that Darius and Alexander were still on good terms grated on him like a jagged blade.He had banked on Darius remaini
The warehouse buzzed with cold efficiency as Geraldโs top enforcers prepared for the mission.The air was heavy with the scent of gasoline and gun oil. Three black SUVs stood ready, their engines idling ominously.Inside, men dressed in tactical gear double checked their weapons, their faces set in grim focus.โTargetโs convoy is heading west on Route 17,โ the team leader barked, his voice clipped and authoritative.He pressed a finger to his earpiece. โWe intercept at marker 52. Make sure thereโs no escape.โโUnderstood,โ another enforcer replied, snapping the magazine into his rifle. โWhatโs the kill order?โโLoud and clear,โ the leader responded, his lips curling into a ruthless grin. โThis isnโt just a hit. Itโs a message. Make them bleed.The tension inside Alexanderโs armored car was palpable.Sarah sat stiffly beside him, her hands fidgeting in her lap as the dense forest outside blurred past the windows.The events of the past few hours had left her on edge, and the eerie stil
The convoy rolled through the wrought iron gates of Alexanderโs sprawling estate, the security detail at full alert.Guards lined the driveway, their weapons slung across their chests as they saluted the vehicles.The mansion loomed ahead, its stone faรงade illuminated by floodlights, an imposing fortress against the night.Inside the lead car, Sarah leaned her head against the window, her exhaustion evident.The adrenaline that had fueled her during the ambush had long since faded, leaving her drained and emotionally raw.โWeโre home,โ Alexander said softly, his hand reaching over to rest on hers.She turned to him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. โHome,โ she echoed, the word feeling foreign after the chaos of the past hours.The car came to a stop, and Alexanderโs guards moved swiftly to open the door for them.One guard wheeled Alexander out of the vehicle, while another helped Sarah, who swayed slightly as her feet hit the ground.โMaโam, are you alright?โ one of the guards aske
Sarahโs body trembled as she sat on the floor, her back resting against the side of the bed.The sobs that had started as a flood of raw emotion began to taper off into quiet, shuddering breaths.Her tears left streaks on her flushed cheeks, and her fingers clung tightly to Alexanderโs hands, as if letting go of him would send her spiraling back into the depths of despair.โI... I should have done something,โ she murmured, her voice hoarse and broken. โIf Iโd been faster, smarter... maybe theyโd still be alive.โโSarah,โ Alexander said gently, his gaze piercing yet full of empathy. โWhat happened to the Millers is not on you. Itโs on Gerald and his twisted games. Youโre blaming yourself because you cared deeply for them, but donโt let that love turn into a burden you canโt carry.โHer chin dropped to her chest, her shoulders slumping under the weight of his words. โItโs just so hard to let go,โ she whispered. โI keep seeing their faces, hearing their voices. I close my eyes, and theyโ
The sun was dipping low over the horizon, casting a rich, molten gold sheen across the endless stretch of cerulean water surrounding the private island. Waves lapped lazily at the pristine white shores, and the sweet scent of tropical blooms filled the salt heavy breeze. Four years had passed since the darkness that had almost swallowed them whole. Four years since Sarah had been ripped from Alexanderโs arms and nearly broken beyond recognition. Four years since Alexander had been confined to a wheelchair, only to fight tooth and nail to walk again, fueled by sheer willpower, physical therapy, and Sarahโs unyielding belief in him. And today, today was a celebration not just of survival, but of life. Laughter rang out from the sprawling beachfront villa, decorated with colorful ribbons, balloons, and flowers that spilled over tables heavy with food and gifts. Small hands clapped excitedly as the Blake twins, three year old terrors with grins that could melt glaciers, chased each
Geraldโs world had flipped, literally and figuratively.The scent of leaking gasoline still clung to his shredded suit.His once polished shoes were coated in blood and gravel, and his jaw ached with every breath he took.The crash had thrown him like a ragdoll, flinging his body into a ditch after his vehicle, tires blown out from a desperate chase, had careened off the hillside road.Heโd blacked out for a moment. Maybe more.But when he came to, it wasnโt mercy that greeted him.It was Darius.Heโd heard the boots crunching over leaves and dirt long before the shadows finally stretched toward him.Then came the firm grip of gloved hands dragging his broken form to a clearing, rifles trained on him, and a half circle of men in black combat gear standing like a wall of death.And at the center of it all, Darius.Pristine as ever, yet colder than a winter grave.Darius stood tall, hands behind his back, his expression unreadable as he stared down at the bloodied man in front of him.G
Sarah turned slowly to Alexander, her hand still pressed to her mouth. โWeโreโฆ weโre going to have a baby.โHis eyes glistened with fresh tears, shock, joy, fear, all colliding in one single breath.He reached out to cradle her face with both hands, his broken leg momentarily forgotten.A baby.A child made from chaos and pain, love and survival.โI donโt deserve this,โ he whispered hoarsely. โNot after everything Iโve done. Not after I almost lost you.โโYou didnโt lose me,โ she whispered back. โAnd you wonโt. Not now. Not ever.โHe kissed her forehead, resting there for a long moment, his tears soaking into her hair. โI swear Iโll protect both of you. Even if I canโt walk. Even if I have to crawl to the ends of the earth, Sarah.โShe laughed through her tears, arms wrapping around him tighter than ever. โThen weโll crawl together. And when weโre readyโฆ weโll run.โThey held each other in the stillness of that room, at the beginning of something even greater.A heartbeat they hadnโt
Sarah stayed curled in Alexanderโs arms for a long moment, breathing him in like he was the only tether keeping her from floating away.His hand cradled the back of her head, his chest rising and falling in unsteady waves as if he still couldnโt believe she was real, that she was here.But then her eyes drifted down.Her gaze locked on the white sheets, crumpled and slightly lifted around his lower half.Something tugged at her memory, the shot.The sharp crack of a bullet.The sight of him falling behind her as she ran, screaming his name. Her stomach twisted.She leaned back slightly, her hand moving instinctively to the edge of the blanket, brushing against the thick padding of a cast beneath.Her voice was soft. โYou were shotโฆ I rememberโฆ I...โAlexander caught her hand gently, pressing it to his lips. โItโs okay. Iโm here.โBut Sarahโs heart had already begun to race again. โYou were limpingโฆ and I sawโฆ but I didnโt know it was this bad.โ Her eyes darted toward the crutches now
The first thing Sarah registered was the scent of antiseptic, clean, sharp, and nauseating.Then came the ache. Deep in her bones. In her chest. In the marrow of her soul.She stirred, her fingers twitching over crisp hospital sheets as her body shifted ever so slightly, and her mind scrambled to catch up.She wasnโt tied down. She wasnโt cold anymore. She wasnโt in that dark room. That house. Thatโฆ nightmare.She was safe.Orโฆ something like it.Her eyes fluttered open slowly, lashes damp from tears she hadnโt even known sheโd been crying.The ceiling was a sterile white blur. The walls hummed faintly with distant activity, soft footfalls, medical monitors, the low murmur of conversation somewhere outside the door.But none of it mattered.Because he wasnโt there.And without him, none of this felt real.Her lips parted, cracked and dry, and she tried to speak. Tried to push out the name that had lived on the edge of every prayer she'd whispered during captivity.It came out broken a
Alexander turned his head, his eyes bloodshot and glistening. โIโll be a burden now. Sheโll never say it, but Iโll see it in her eyes. Pity. Guilt. Iโd rather she hate me than pity me.โโSheโs not that kind of woman,โ Darius said firmly.A pause. Then Alexander swallowed hard and asked the question that had been clawing at him since the moment the doctor said the word paralysis.โWhat if she staysโฆ just because she thinks she owes me?โDariusโs brow furrowed. โThen you remind her what you both have been through. Remind her who the hell you are. And what you mean to each other.โSilence again.Then Alexander leaned back against the pillows and stared up at the ceiling. โGerald got away.โDariusโs expression hardened. โBarely. One of my men put a tracker on his vehicle before he escaped. Victoria got caught in the crossfire. Gerald used her,โ Darius replied coldly. โHe doesnโt care who dies as long as he gets what he wants.โAlexanderโs jaw clenched. โThen weโll burn every last shadow h
The sterile beep of Alexanderโs heart monitor filled the hospital room like a metronome, steady and soft. The worst had passed, so the doctors said. He had survived the bullets, the blood loss, the surgery. He had defied death.But outside the room, just as Darius turned to check on Sarah again, something in her expression shifted.Relief.That was the first thing he saw.A full bodied, all consuming relief that weakened her spine, dulled her eyes, and uncoiled every taut muscle that had kept her upright through pain, fear, and heartbreak.Then she crumpled.โSarah...!โ Darius lunged forward and caught her just before her knees slammed into the polished floor.Her body was limp in his arms, barely conscious, her breathing shallow and unsteady. Her bloodied hands slipped against his shirt as he pulled her close, his voice sharp and commanding as he yelled over his shoulder, โGet a doctor! Now!โWithin seconds, nurses flooded the corridor. A gurney was wheeled over, and Darius laid her d
The woman heโd secretly crushed on since the first night he saved her bleeding and defiant.โHoly shit,โ he muttered.But she was already in the driverโs seat.The moment her fingers wrapped around the wheel, she changed. Her spine straightened. Her breath slowed. The fear didnโt vanish, but it sharpened, fused into her bones like steel.And when her foot hit the gas, the tires screamed their fury into the night.The SUV became a blur under her hands.Trees melted past them. Headlights glared like ghosts. The world narrowed to instinct and motion.Sarah didnโt flinch when they nearly sideswiped a truck. She didnโt panic when the back tires fishtailed across loose gravel. She was in it.. back.Back to the part of herself sheโd buried when she married into the Blake family.Back to Sparrow.โHang on,โ she said under her breath, glancing at Alexander in the mirror, his head resting in Dariusโs lap as the man tried to stop the bleeding.โHeโs fading,โ Darius warned. โWeโve got fifteen min
The air turned electric as Dariusโs boots pounded the forest floor, his rifle cradled tight against his shoulder. His men moved ahead of him like shadows, silent, fast, lethal.Their coordinated breaths were drowned out by the distant echoes of gunfire erupting from the estate.Alexander was still fighting.He was alive.But for how long?โAlpha to all units,โ Darius growled into his earpiece, โentry on my mark. Hostile count is high. Primary objective, get Alexander out alive. Secondary level anyone who tries to stop us.โโCopy that,โ came a chorus of calm, battle hardened voices.Behind him, the night swallowed his words.But not all of it.He turned briefly, his sharp gaze locking onto Sarah, who stood beside the black SUV Darius had arrived in. Her body trembled, her eyes red from tears, but she had not collapsed.She hadnโt fallen apart.And that, Darius admired deeply.โCan you drive?โ he asked, voice hard but not unkind.Sarah blinked, startled. โWhat?โโIf this goes south, weโ