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CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

DAMN THE NIGHT air was hot against my skin, carrying the faint scent of salt from the nearby marshes. My legs burned with every step, the weight of my bag dragging at my shoulder as I pushed deeper into the darkness.

Four days.

Four days of running. Four days of looking over my shoulder. Four days of trying not to think about what I left behind.

I’d been paying cash, keeping my head down, treating every minute like Drago and Fang were already breathing down my neck.

Deep down, I knew it was true.

Like a warning bell ringing in my bones.

Dragon Fire wasn’t stupid. If Drago wanted me—and I knew he did—he’d send enough men to blanket the area, overturning every rock until they found me.

Which meant I couldn’t stop. Not yet.

I ducked into an abandoned gas station, the windows boarded up, the sign dangling from a single rusty chain. The silence inside was suffocating, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing as I slid down against the wall.

I shouldn’t be alone.

Like a viper sinking its fangs, the thought struck before I could even flinch. Four days ago, I wasn’t. I had him.

Spinner.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my mind away from the memory of his touch, the way his voice had once made me feel safe. That was before. Before Dragon Fire made it clear I’d never be free. Before my conscience refused to let someone else suffer in my place.

I swallowed hard, shoving the pain deep where it couldn’t choke me.

Yes, he’d doubted me. Hurt me. Chosen his club over me. Damn him for it, but I still couldn’t shake the love I had for the reckless bastard.

Leaving was the right call.

Zeynep would be safe, she was locked down tighter than Fort Knox. There was no chance anyone was slipping past her personal brick wall. If someone did try to get past him, they’d be leaving in more pieces than they arrived.

My hands trembled as I pulled out my phone, checking the map one more time. I’d wiped it clean before I left the clubhouse, no digital trail, no accounts logged in, just a burner map app with no history.

The docks were a few miles west, a maze of warehouses and shipping containers that would give me cover. Not great. But the best I had. I wasn’t just running—I still had a mission. If I had to hide, I might as well gather intel. I wouldn’t be as careless this time.

But first, Oliver.

He was picking me up, and I’d stay a few hours to get caught up before disappearing again. I didn’t want to put him in danger.

I ran a hand through my hair, my chest tightening as exhaustion threatened to swallow me whole.

“Come on, Lucy,” I whispered, barely able to hear myself over the pounding of my pulse. “Keep it together.’

I inhaled deep, forcing my mind to focus. Fang and his men didn’t know where I was— I hoped —and as long as I stayed smart, they wouldn’t.

Then I heard it.

At first, it was distant. A whisper against the wind. But it grew louder.

Engines.

My heart stopped.

I scrambled to my feet, shoving the phone back into my bag. Peering through a crack in the boarded window, I saw them. Motorcycles. Headlights cutting through the night.

Dragon Fire.

Fear clamped down, white-hot and merciless, turning my body to stone. No way they could know I was here. This had to be coincidence.

But I didn’t believe in coincidence.

I needed to move. Now .

I bolted out the back door, my feet slamming against the ground as I raced into the open field behind the station. The tall grass brushed my legs, slowing me down, but I didn’t stop.

The engines grew louder.

I pushed harder, lungs burning as the tree line loomed ahead. If I could make it into the woods, I might have a chance. I had to make it.

But the roar of bikes was deafening now, splitting the night like a death knell.

“Come on,” I whispered, desperate.

I hit the trees, the darkness swallowing me whole.

Branches tore at my arms, my legs, but I barely felt them. The bikes were muffled now, the thick canopy distorting the sound, but they were out there. Hunting me.

Then—I fell.

My foot caught on something—a root, a rock, I didn’t know, and I went down hard, my hands scraping against the rough ground. Pain flared through my palms, but I bit down on a cry, crawling behind a fallen log.

Silence.

Worse than the noise.

I pressed my back against the wood, sucking in short, shallow breaths. Don’t move. Don’t make a sound.

Then, I heard them.

Voices.

“She couldn’t have gone far,” one of them said, his voice rough, irritated.

“Fan out,” another barked. “Check the woods. She’s here somewhere.”

My stomach twisted, and I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag.

I’d gotten away before. I could do it again.

But as the sound of footsteps crept closer, doubt slithered in.

Then came the worst sound yet—slow, deliberate footsteps.

Like something out of a horror movie.

I pressed myself tighter against the log, my breath barely there, my heartbeat a frantic hammer. I hadn’t made a sound. I’d been careful.

But they’d found me anyway.

And then—

“Come out, love.”

Fang’s voice curled through the trees, a low, mocking whisper.

“The only way you’re getting’ away from me is in a body bag. And even then, I might dig you back up.”

A ghostly chill dragged its claws down my back.

I clutched my bag tighter, fingers trembling. I had to move. Staying here was a death sentence.

I eased up, shifting to my hands and knees, ready to bolt deeper into the brush.

But then—

A heavy boot slammed down on the log.

Right in front of my face.

“Goin’ somewhere?”

Fang sneered, crouching down until his face was inches from mine.

My whole body locked up. My mind screamed run, but my legs wouldn’t listen.

Fang’s grin widened. He’d been waiting for this.

“Grab her,” he barked.

Two men stepped from the shadows.

I kicked out, fought with everything I had, but it didn’t matter. One wrenched my arms back. The other grabbed my legs.

They lifted me off the ground like I was nothing.

“Let go!” I screamed, thrashing, kicking, but their grip only tightened.

Fang chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. “Trying to tempt me to fuck you right here?”

I twisted, but they dragged me through the trees, feet barely touching the dirt. My mind raced for a way out, but there was no one coming.

No backup.

I’d left the clubhouse.

I’d left Spinner.

I was on my own.

They threw me into the back of a van, the door slamming shut like a coffin lid. The air inside was thick with the stench of oil and sweat. The cold metal floor bit into my skin as I scrambled upright.

Fang climbed into the van, flopping down with his arms crossed, that shit-eating grin plastered on his face. “You’ve been a real pain in my ass, Lucy.”

I shot him a look, breath still hitching. “Yeah? You deserved worse, asshole.”

His chuckle was low and rough, like gravel sliding down a drain. “You got a death wish, or are you just too damn stubborn to know when to lay down?”

I didn’t answer.

“You made a big mistake,” he continued.

I forced my voice to steady even though I was shaking inside. “And what’s that?”

“You ran,” he said, leaning closer. “You should’ve stayed put like a good girl. Now, you’re mine. And I don’t plan on lettin’ you go.”

My chest tightened, but I didn’t look away. “Spinner will come for me,” I taunted, knowing it was true.

Fang’s grin turned cruel.

“Let him try and I’ll make sure to demonstrate how I made you mine first.” At my horrified expression he gave a cruel laugh. “I see you understand.”

The van jolted as the engine roared to life, tires crunching over gravel.

As the van pulled away, reality slammed into me.

For the first time, tears burned down my face.

I wasn’t just running anymore.

I was caught.

And as Fang sat across from, his eyes studying me. I had no idea how I was going to get out before he hurt me again.

THE VAN RUMBLED over the uneven road, the engine growling like it was on its last leg. I leaned back against the cold metal wall, stretching my legs out, letting the vibration settle in my bones.

Lucy sat across from me, back pressed against the opposite side of the van, knees pulled tight to her chest. She was trying to look tough. But I saw through it.

She wasn’t just exhausted—she was done.

Her chest still rose and fell too fast, like she couldn’t slow it down. Her hands trembled where they gripped the strap of her bag, as if she actually thought that bag was gonna save her.

I smirked, watching her through the murky light filtering in through the back windows.

She wouldn’t look at me.

That was fine. I had time.

One of our prospects, Nico, was behind the wheel, taking us to the drop point. The other, Reyes, sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, his knuckles still busted from our last job. Neither of them spoke. They knew better.

This moment was mine.

I let the silence stretch, let the weight of it press down on her. Let her stew.

Then, finally—

“What are you staring at?”

Her voice was hoarse, dry, but steady even though I knew she was scared as shit.

I chuckled. “Four days on the run, love, and you’re lookin’ a little rough. You seen a mirror lately?”

Her jaw tightened, but she still wouldn’t meet my eyes.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, letting the van’s low hum roll between us.

“You’re tired,” I said, keeping my voice smooth, calm. “Bet your legs feel like lead. Bet your head’s spinnin’. Probably wonderin’ how the hell I caught up with you so fast.”

Nothing.

I smirked. “Want a hint?”

She swallowed, her fingers flexing against the fabric of her jeans.

“You were sloppy,” I continued, my tone almost conversational. “Thought you covered your tracks, didn’t you? Paid cash, ditched your phone, kept your head down. But you made a mistake, Lucy.”

She finally looked up then, those tired eyes locking onto mine.

She didn’t ask. Didn’t take the bait.

I grinned anyway.

“People notice a woman like you,” I said. “Especially one movin’ like she’s got the devil on her heels. You blend in for the first day or two. Maybe three. But eventually, someone’s gonna remember you. And guess what?”

I tapped my temple, still grinning.

“They talk to me.”

Her lips parted, just a fraction, before she snapped her mouth shut again.

Good.

I liked watching her figure it out.

“You thought you were ahead of me,” I went on, tilting my head. “That was cute. But the truth is, I’ve been behind you almost since the second you walked out of that clubhouse. You never stood a chance.”

A flicker of something crossed her face. Anger. Fear. Both.

She masked it quick.

Too bad I’d already seen it.

Her voice was quieter this time. “Why am I still breathing? You know I was watching you and your club?”

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

She waited.

I leaned in just enough to make her tense, my voice dropping lower. Meaner.

“Because I don’t want you dead, Lucy.” I paused, letting the words sink in. “I want you to be my ol’ lady. I’ll break you of that spyin’ shit.”

I saw the shiver roll through her before she clamped down on it.

I sat back again, casual as ever, and gestured toward Reyes.

“She still got her knife?”

Reyes reached over, pulling her bag from her grip before she could react. He dumped it onto the floor between us—wallet, burner phone, knife, and…

I smirked, picking up the Glock, turning it over in my hand. “Oh Lucy, you should’ve used it. Why even carry it?”

Her face stayed neutral, but I saw her tension.

“Was this gonna be your big plan, huh?” I lifted the gun, aimed it at my own head like I was mocking the idea. “Wait for the right moment? Take me out? Fight your way free?”

Lucy said nothing.

I lowered the gun, flicking the safety on with a lazy smirk.

“Didn’t think that far ahead, did you?” I murmured, tossing it back into Reyes’s lap. “Doesn’t matter. You won’t get another shot.”

The van hit a bump, jostling us, but I didn’t move.

Lucy didn’t either.

She was fighting it. The exhaustion. The fear. The hopelessness creeping into her bones.

I could see it swallowing her.

Just like I planned.

“Get some sleep, love,” I said, stretching my legs again. “Gonna be a long night.”

I closed my eyes like I could actually relax in this rust bucket.

Lucy stayed rigid, back against the metal.

Didn’t matter.

She’d break eventually.

Lucy already had a taste of how persuasive I could be.