Page 72 of Always A Villain

“Come out, little one.” Every taunt sends a fresh wave of panic, but I clamp a hand over my mouth to muffle the sob threatening to slip.

Gunshots explode in the background, followed by the unmistakable sounds of combat—Axe and Griffen fighting them off.

“I won’t ask again!” he snaps, and the room jolts as he kicks over the dresser, sending everything crashing to the floor.

He’s close. Too close.

“I know you’re here.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, praying I vanish into thin air. The thudding of boots circles closer, floorboards creakingjust 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 gazedarkens, 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.