Page 51

CHAPTER 50

Alana

I can’t find Tessa.

Haven’t seen her in over twenty minutes.

And I need my right hand right now.

I need to spiral. I need to vent.

God, I wish I had my phone.

Tessa’s got it, buried somewhere between goodie bags and chaos.

I didn’t bring a bag tonight.

I couldn’t find one that worked with the dress.

Everything clashed or felt bulky, so I left it.

My heels click against the polished concrete as I make my way toward the back.

I push through the swinging door into the staff area filled with storage crates, extra chairs, floral arrangements that didn’t make the final cut.

Everything feels a little too still.

A little too quiet.

“Tess?” I call out.

No answer. I frown. The lights flicker slightly as I step inside.

I walk deeper in, past crates and half-packed goodie bags and that’s when I see her.

Tessa.

Bound. Gagged.

Eyes wide but alive.

My stomach lurches.

“Oh my god,” I breathe, dropping to my knees.

I fumble at the ropes, fingers shaking as I try to undo the knot.

“Tessa, it’s okay. I’ve got you, I’ve got you—”

Click.

The sound of the door closing slices through the air.

“There you are,” he says, his voice oily.

“I thought my plan wouldn’t work when your friend answered your phone, but I guess it’s my lucky night after all.”

I don’t recognise his face.

But the voice? I know that voice.

From when I was taken.

Bound to a chair in the dark.

Every instinct in me spikes.

I’m not that helpless girl anymore.

I’m strong now. I’m a warrior.

So I fight.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I say, stepping back, my voice sharp.

He smiles like it’s all a game.

“You’re coming with me.”

Like hell I am.

He reaches for me and I react on instinct, ducking under his arm, shoving him hard.

The heel of my boot scrapes the floor but I don’t fall.

He lunges again and I grab a heavy clipboard from the table and swing.

It hits with a sick crack against his temple.

He stumbles. I move.

Tessa lets out a muffled scream.

I reach the door and yank it open.

He grabs me from behind, slamming it shut with one hand and dragging me backward.

I elbow him. Hard. He grunts.

I twist, bite his shoulder.

He swears, shoves me.

My back hits the wall.

I see stars. Still, I don’t stop.

I kick. Scratch. My nails dig into his neck.

“You’re gonna regret this,” I hiss.

He’s bleeding now. He looks surprised.

Like he didn’t expect me to fight.

He pulls a gun from his waistband and presses it beneath my chin.

“Enough.”

I freeze.

“Don’t make me hurt you before I get my money,” he sneers, panting.

And then—

Bang.

The sound rips through the air.

Blood splatters. He stumbles against me and I gasp.

He’s falling. I shove him off me just as he crumples.

And behind him, framed in the doorway, stands Hunter.

He’s breathing hard.

Gun still raised. Jaw like granite.

Fury in his eyes like I’ve never seen.

The man on the ground groans, tries to lift his head.

“Wait,” he croaks. “Wait… I’m… Kaden.”

Hunter doesn’t blink.

Another shot goes off.

The body jerks, then goes still.

My knees give out. I think I scream, but nothing comes out.

The silence is deafening.

Kaden. That name.

“I—” I gasp, backing into the wall.

“It’s him. He was one of them. One of the men who took me. I remember his voice. I remember that name. He said it was Kaden. I heard it the night I was taken.”

The edges of my vision blur.

I’m shaking.

Hunter’s already across the room, gun holstered back into his waistband, pulling me into his arms. I collapse against him without thinking.

My whole body feels like it’s trembling apart.

“You’re safe now. I’ve got you.” He holds me against his chest.

And I let him.

And, even though I shouldn’t, I believe him.