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Ember leads us through a maze of back alleys and hidden passages. Left, right, another left. I lose track of our route, trusting her completely.
Finally, we emerge into a small courtyard hidden from the main streets. Ember collapses against a wall, chest heaving. I lean next to her, every breath a struggle.
“Are you okay?” she pants, eyes scanning my battered face.
I manage a nod, wincing at the movement. “You?”
“I’m fine,” she says, but I catch the tremor in her voice. “That was—intense.”
Before I can respond, her lips are on mine. The kiss is desperate, fueled by adrenaline and relief. For a moment, the world fades away, and it’s just us.
When we break apart, reality comes crashing back.
“What now?” Ember’s eyes are red-rimmed but determined.
“We keep moving,” I say, my voice husky. “The rendezvous point isn’t far.” I straighten with a groan. “The team will be waiting.”
Ember nods, pushing off the wall. “I know a way that should keep us off the main streets.”
We step back onto the street, blending into the crowd. Ember navigates the city with ease, leading us through a maze of side streets and back alleys.
As we near our destination, a chill runs down my spine. The street is too quiet, too empty.
Suddenly, the air fills with the sound of screeching tires. Black SUVs appear at both ends of the street, boxing us in. Men in tactical gear pour out, weapons trained on us.
“Blaze.” Ember’s voice is tight with fear. Her eyes widen. “How did they…”
“They have eyes everywhere,” I growl with frustration.
I pull her close, my mind racing for a way out, but as the circle of armed men tightens around us, one thing becomes brutally clear.
We’re trapped.
TWENTY-FIVE
Ember
My heart slamsagainst my ribs as the black SUVs screech to a halt, surrounding us like a pack of wolves closing in on their prey. Doors fly open, and men pour out, weapons trained on us with deadly precision. The air reeks of burning rubber, mingling with the acrid bite of fear coating my tongue.
“Blaze…” My voice cracks, terror threatening to lock my throat. “How did they…”
“I don’t know.” His voice is low and rough, like a growl buried deep in his chest. He pulls me close, arm locking around my waist. Tension radiates off him, muscles coiled tight, poised to strike. His eyes flick over the circle of armed men closing in, calculating.
But there are too many.
“Blaze…” My hand grips his arm, the raw power beneath his skin barely contained, like a storm ready to break. My breath trembles. “You’ll die if you fight.” The words come out low, pleading. The knot in my stomach tightens. We’re screwed.
He doesn’t move, his chest rising in sharp bursts, the violence simmering just beneath the surface. Protecting me; it’sall that drives him, but he’s staring down a death sentence if he makes a move.
The armed men close in, boots pounding against the pavement. The sharp click of safeties being switched off cuts through the tension. Blaze tenses beside me, his hand flexing, ready to lunge, but my grip tightens around his arm.
The leader, a hulking figure with cold eyes, steps forward, his voice a low, mocking rumble. “There’s no escape.”
Blaze snarls, a low, dangerous sound, but the moment stretches—just long enough for reality to hit. Rough hands seize me from behind, yanking me away. Blaze’s shout rips through the chaos; fury and desperation roll off him in waves, but the armed men overwhelm him too fast.
My body jerks backward as they drag him in the opposite direction. His roar echoes as we’re torn apart.
“Easy now,” a familiar voice drawls. Bruiser. His face is a swollen mess of bruises courtesy of Blaze. “The boss wants you both in one piece. For now.”