Page 29 of Always A Villain (Revenge Duet #2)

I squeeze my eyes shut, praying I vanish into thin air. The thudding of boots circles closer, floorboards creaking just feet away. I’m quivering in terror, every nerve screaming as I hold my breath, waiting for them to get distracted.

Then, thankfully, they do.

They move toward the closet. Now.

I don’t think. I crawl out from under the bed and dash through the open door. The alarm blares in my ears—loud, shrill, the lights flashing maniacally across the hallway. My lungs seize, the smoke burns, but I push forward, shielding my mouth with my arm as my eyes water from the fumes.

“THERE SHE IS! GET HER!”

The shout slams into me, and I scream, legs kicking into overdrive as I fly down the stairs. Sweat, tears, fear—it’s all a blur as I stumble through the smoky mess down the stairs. Just keep moving. Just?—

A door flies open at the end of the hall. A man steps out, a gas mask covering his face, and for a second, everything stops.

Shit.

Run.

“AXE!” I scream and whirl, sprinting away.

“STOP!” the man barks, his gun aimed right at me.

Before I can process anything, Axe’s voice thunders down the hallway. “RORY!”

The man drops, blood splattering on the wall behind him, and Axe charges forward, yanking me into the living room. His hand is firm on my arm, blood streaking his bare chest and face. Gun in hand, he gives me a quick once-over.

“Are you hurt?”

I shake my head, gasping, tears streaming uncontrollably. “They—they were in the room. They came into your bedroom.” The words tumble out.

His gaze darkens, his face a mix of fury and control. “It’s okay, baby. Stay with Kane.”

At his command, Kane snaps to attention, his muzzle stained with fresh blood. My stomach turns. This isn’t a nightmare. This is real.

“Axe,” I plead, dread clawing up my throat.

“I’ll come back, little siren, I promise,” he murmurs, kissing my trembling lips before slipping into the chaos.

“Please, come back,” I whisper and sink to the floor.

Kane stands guard, eyes locked on the door.

A thud—then a scream, raw and gut-wrenching, echoes through the house. The cry vibrates through the walls, rattling me to my core, followed by gunshots and a sickening crash. Kane stays rigid, a low growl vibrating in his chest.

Then, a window shatters—glass exploding inward as a hulking figure crashes through, spraying the room with shards.

He stands, a massive shadow dripping blood, swaying on his feet.

Kane lunges, teeth bared, sinking into the intruder’s neck.

The room fills with savage snarls and shouts, the sound almost worse than the chaos outside.

The intruder jerks free, his hand whipping out a blade. Before I can scream, he drives it into Kane’s shoulder. The sharp whimper that escapes him twists my insides.

“No! Kane!” My voice cracks as I rush to his side, panic fueling my every move. Blood pours from the knife stabbed in his side, his yelps only adding to the horror. I yank the blade out, my hands slick with his blood.

The attacker's body convulses, his eyes wide with shock, his throat a shredded mess of flesh. His hand shoots out, gripping my ankle, dragging me toward him. I scream, thrashing to get away, but before I can even react, Kane leaps. His teeth sink deep into the man's skull with a sickening crunch.

“Kane!” I cry out.

The man’s desperate, guttural gasps are cut off abruptly as his body goes limp. Kane releases his hold, panting, blood dripping from his muzzle.

I’m barely holding it together when something outside the shattered window flashes. My heart leaps into my throat. No time to think—I’m up and running before my mind can catch up. Kane, despite his injury, limps after me.

“KANE!” Axe’s voice slices through the chaos. He storms into the room, more blood streaked across his face. “ Bescherm haar! ” he commands, and Kane retreats to my side without hesitation.

Axe doesn’t waste a second—he fires three quick rounds through the window. The sharp crack of the shots echoes through the room before he turns his attention back to me.

“Get behind me.” I scramble behind him as he squares up to face whatever’s coming next. His body is a wall, shielding me from danger. Footsteps—heavy and fast—rush toward us.

Griffen bursts through the entryway, shirtless, sweat-soaked, and splattered with blood. “Reaper, it’s clear. We got them all.” His voice is hoarse.

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.” Griffen’s gaze flicks between Kane and me, catching on the blood-matted fur. “He’s been hit.”

“What?”

“The dog.” Griffen tilts his head toward Kane. “Looks like he’s been shot.”

I shake my head. “He was stabbed.”

Axe's eyes dart from me to the shattered window, face hardening. “Go check the perimeter. Make sure every single one of those motherfuckers is dead.”

Griffen nods, disappearing through the door. Axe moves to the window, his silhouette tense as he stares into the darkness. He turns, eyes raking over me.

“You alright?” His voice is quieter now, but there's steel beneath it.

“I think so.” He pulls me in, kissing me hard.

“It’s gonna be alright, Rory,” he murmurs, his forehead resting against mine for the briefest second before he pulls back. His focus shifts to Kane, crouching to inspect the wound. Kane whimpers, tail wagging weakly against the floor.

“You did good, boy.” Axe’s voice drops as he strokes Kane’s head.

“Axe, who the hell were those people?”

“Hitmen. After the bounty on my head.” His eyes lock onto mine as the weight of his words settles on me.

This is the reason he signed those divorce papers.

“And they almost pulled it off. It was a well-coordinated attack,” he admits, his knuckles cracking as he clenches his fists.

“They knew my alarm system. Knew the layout of the fucking house.”

“What does that mean?”

“Someone betrayed me.”