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Chapter 17: Nowhere is Safe
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2025-03-01 22:51:27Juniper's blood ran cold.
She felt a sharp, shivering sensation in her spine as the words were heard over the police radio. Secure the girl. Everything is lost if Blackwood wakes up. She wasn't deceived by the officer in front of her, as he kept his face blank for the most part. He knew. She was a loose end. Her heart raced against her ribs, each time she beat out a warning drum. Think, Juniper. Think. She directed attention to the helicopter, where Adrian lay strapped to a stretcher, unconscious and helplessly vulnerable. The paramedics were arranging the medical supplies, getting ready to depart. She was not going to be left alone if they did. She had seconds to act. The officer's stance shifted. His hands came dangerously close to the sight of his gun. Miss Hale was a smooth voice. Too smooth. “Come with us.”. No. Every nerve screamed run. They might shoot her before she could take two steps if she fled at this time. She wore a wobbly smile, masking the shaking in her voice. "I just... I need to be with Adrian.". “That's not possible.”. “Why not?”. The muscles in his mouth were active. "For your shielding." he declared. Liar. Her stomach twisted. His presence wasn't necessary to shield her. His purpose was to avoid having a conversation with her. Her pulse slammed. Looking towards the helicopter, she only looked to escape Adrian.'. She needed a distraction. Fast. She directed her gaze towards the officer, widening her eyes to appear both hesitant and cooperative. "Agree," she whispered with a firm voice, exclaiming "I'm cognizant." Her tone was perfect. His shoulders relaxed. Big mistake. Juniper ran. “Hey!”. The officer's gun whipped up. Gunfire cracked the air. As splinters blew around her, Juniper dove was rolling behind a crate. No time to stop. She lunged towards the helicopter, pushing off from the ground.... “Stop her!” someone shouted. More gunfire—too close. Her ear was consumed by the heat of bullets as they whizzed past her. But she didn't slow. Couldn't. The rotors screamed overhead. The helicopter was lifting off. She wasn't going to make it. Jump. In a gait of arms and fingers, Juniper leaped forward. She experienced a terrifying moment where she was completely in the open air. Then—. She grasped the edge of the open door with her fingers. Her feet dangled over nothingness. The wind blew in and over her, tossing her body violently. The paramedic yelled, "Suck!" at her. “F me!” she whispered. Juniper used all her strength to pull herself inside by swung her leg. The pain was immediate and sharp as her elbows gnawed on the floor. But she was inside. She collapsed to her knees, experiencing a sudden increase in breath. And froze. The pilot's headset crackled. A voice declared, "She's aboard." "Take her away—tick off now.". Juniper's stomach plummeted. But they weren't taking her home. She bent over, shoving past the surprised medic. Adrian. He remained unresponsive while tied to the stretcher, appearing pale and fragile.' He was exposed to machines via cables and tubes, resulting in sweaty skin. Juniper grasped his hand, her fingers twirling. With a breath of fresh air, she whispered: "Adrian, wake up. Don't think twice.". Nothing. Her chest tightened. Blackwood: Don't do this, come on. I need you.”. Still nothing. She pressed her fingers over his wrist, hoping for a message from him. Then—. His fingers twitched. A sharp breath was taken by Juniper. His eyelids fluttered. And then—. His lips parted. A raspy whisper escaped. The words "They'll..." left him with a screeching expression. His fingers tightened around hers. “They'll kill you too.”.
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While Juniper was listening to the helicopter blades whirring in her ears, she could only detect Adrian's breathing. Too late. His words were tinged into her chest as though they had been lifted off her. She whispered, "No, not yet. It's not too late.". Stay with me.”. She grasped his hand, her fingers wrapped around his scaly skin, as if her touch could provide him with stability. Adrian's eyelids flickered. There was a slight growling sound emanating from his lips. "They... can't find it.". Juniper's heart pounded. Find what? With her tongue pressed against the dryness of her throat, she crouched down. "What's up there?". Adrian exhaled shakily. “The files. The proof.”. Her fingers tightened around his. Files? Proof? Her mind was consumed by a warning. This was no longer solely a matter of survival. This was bigger. Dangerous. Deadly. Maintaining her voice required constant effort. "Where is Adrian located?". His hold grew increasingly firm, almost as if he was gathering
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Stranded with the Billionaire Chapter 19 : Crash Landing.
A Sky Full of Fire. “Brace!”. Juniper barely had time to react before the world turned into chaos. The first spray of bullets tore through the helicopter's cabin, slicing through seats, ricocheting off metal, and punching holes into the walls. The medic let out a bloodcurdling scream, ducking just in time as a bullet whizzed past his ear. The pilot yelled frantically into his headset. “Mayday! Mayday! Flight 417 under attack! We need immediate—”. The radio cut off in static. Juniper clung to Adrian's stretcher, her nails digging into the fabric as the helicopter veered sideways. Her stomach lurched with the movement. The tail caught fire, flames licking hungrily across the metal. A missile streaked through the air, missing them by inches. The force of the blast sent the helicopter spinning violently. Juniper screamed, her body slamming against the wall. The medic was flung backward, crashing hard against the opposite side. “We're going down!” the pilot shouted. The airc
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A Standoff in the Wreckage. Juniper's lungs released in brief, sharp bursts. Smoke suffused her, and the scent of burning fuel was strong enough to bite her. Flames licked the fuselage of the crashed helicopter, crushing its crumbling structure and leaving it gasping for air. And then—that voice. Deep. Cold. Familiar. “Stay where you are.”. Her body moved in a limp state, her hands clasping the sharp metal fragments she had taken from debris. The presence of blood in it was unclear to her, whether it be her or not. He walked forward with an even cuttler, moving through the smoke. Shadows were cast across his face by the fire, which was behind him. Broad shoulders. Sharp jaw. Eyes like ice. Two men, armed with rifles that were raised and steady but dressed in tactical black, flanked him. Juniper's mind raced. Adrian was unconscious. She was outnumbered. But she wasn't helpless. She grasped the metal. Her plan was to hit one of them before the others could react if she lunge
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The Chase. Juniper's heart pounding against her ribs caused her to experience painful shock waves in her legs. Thick, bare branches gnawing at her skin, roots crawling in the air. Adrian had a firm grip on her hand, but his steps were unstable and unsteady. He was slowing down. Behind them—gunfire. Voices barking orders. Boots gnawing at the roots of trees.' Too close. She whispered, her breath ruffled, that they are getting better. A thick tree trunk was pulled to the right by Adrian, who dragged them along. As she put her hand over the bark, Juniper tried to calm her down. Keeping his balance, Adrian had his hand by his side and blood-saturated fingers........................................ He appeared pale with sweat pouring from his temples. They didn't have much time. Adrian screamed, "We must break up.". Juniper's chest clenched. “No.”. Adrian bowed his head in frustration and had a hard time breathing. With a low voice, he stated that they were after him. He al
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Nowhere to Run. Her pulse raced through her earways as Juniper turned and breathed. Three men. Black tactical gear. Armed. Adrian's lanky frame caught her attention, leaving her muscles in agony. Her voice remained sharp as she advised her to hold back, even though the panic was spreading rapidly. One of the men reached forward, a slow smile spread across his face. ". “Or what?”. Juniper didn't answer. With every bit of force she had left, lunging forward and twisting her. at the very least.". But she wasn't fast enough. Her stomach was filled with air as she hit her fist. Pain exploded through her ribs. Her vision blurred. Her knees slipped, leaving the wet earth dampened. A boot stuck in her back and she was pushed down. “Stupid move,” the man sneered. Adrian groaned weakly beside her. Then Juniper gnawed at the dirt, her nails digging in to the mud. It was so bad. Despite twisting and kicks, she was too heavy to be pulled down. What happened? She gasped and screame
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“I’ll make this simple.”Damien tapped the tablet screen, his voice smooth, unbothered.“Give me the location of the files,” he said. “Or watch him die.”Juniper’s jaw clenched. Her heart hammered, but her face? Blank. No reaction. No weakness.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. Steady. Flat. Unshaken.Damien sighed. Bored.“Wrong answer.”He lifted a finger.On the tablet’s screen, the man in black moved.A fist drove into Adrian’s ribs.The sound was sickening.Adrian’s body jerked.A choked cough tore from his throat.Blood splattered his shirt.Juniper’s stomach twisted.“Stop it!” she snapped.Damien tilted his head. “Then talk.”Juniper’s mind raced. Think, Juniper. Stall.She took a shaky breath. “I want proof.”Damien arched a brow. “You have proof.”“Not good enough.” Her voice hardened. “Bring him here. Let me see he’s alive.”A beat of silence.Then—Damien laughed.“You’re in no position to negotiate,” he said.Juniper lifted her chin.“Then kill me.”A fli
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A Loaded ThreatThe gun’s barrel pressed against Adrian’s temple, the metal gleaming under the dim overhead light.Juniper’s pulse pounded in her ears.“Last chance,” Damien murmured.She forced her expression blank, but inside, her mind raced.She had seconds.Lie? Stall? Fight?Damien’s finger tightened on the trigger.Adrian exhaled, slow and even. His swollen eye met hers.Don’t tell him.Her throat tightened.Damien sighed dramatically. “Fine. Your choice.”CLICK.Juniper lunged before she could think. “Wait!”Damien paused, lips curving into a smirk. “Ah. There it is.”Adrian’s jaw clenched. “Juniper, don’t—”“Shut him up,” Damien ordered.One of the guards slammed a fist into Adrian’s gut.He doubled over, coughing violently. Blood splattered the floor.Juniper’s stomach twisted.Damien crouched in front of her, his voice almost gentle. “Where are the files?”Think, Juniper. Stall.“I want proof he’s alive,” she blurted.Damien arched a brow. “He’s right in front of you.”“Not
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The room was silent except for the faint hum of the overhead light. Juniper’s pulse thundered in her ears as she stood between Adrian and Damien. The weight of the moment pressed down on her chest like a vise. One wrong word, one wrong move, and Adrian was dead.Damien’s fingers flexed around the gun, the cold steel still aimed at Adrian’s head.“Let’s try this again,” Damien said smoothly, tilting his head. “Where are the files?”Juniper inhaled sharply, forcing herself to appear calm. “I told you. I’ll only tell Adrian.”Damien’s mouth curled into a slow, amused smirk. “Oh, I do love a woman with trust issues.” He glanced at his men. “Take her to him.”Two guards stepped forward.Juniper’s heart pounded as she was yanked toward Adrian, the rough hands of the guards tightening around her arms. They shoved her down to her knees in front of him, forcing her to face the man she was desperately trying to keep alive.Adrian looked worse up close. A cut above his brow dripped blood onto hi
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Stranded with the Billionaire Chapter 36 – Freefall
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The ExplosionBOOM.The door exploded inward.Splinters shredded the air, slicing through the dimly lit cabin.Juniper barely had time to duck before the blast wave ripped past her, sending a storm of wood and dust flying.Adrian grabbed her, yanking her down. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, shielding her.Gunfire erupted.The walls shook as bullets ripped through the cabin. Glass shattered, wood splintered, and the air filled with the acrid scent of gunpowder.Ethan cursed, returning fire. His gun barked in rapid bursts, each shot precise. “They brought a damn arsenal!”Adrian’s grip on Juniper tightened. “We have to move.”Juniper’s breath came short, fast. Her ears rang from the blast.“They’ll see us,” she gasped.Then—a voice.Deep. Cold. Familiar.“Give it up, Blackwood.”Juniper’s chest seized.Damien.His voice cut through the chaos like a blade. Calm. Unshaken.He was here.Adrian’s jaw clenched. A muscle ticked in his cheek. “Like hell.”Ethan’s gun clicked empty. He m
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Stranded with the Billionaire Chapter 33: Nowhere is Safe
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“Go! Go! Go!”Adrian slammed the gas pedal to the floor. The SUV roared forward, weaving dangerously through the tight alleyway as bullets pinged off the metal frame.Juniper clutched the door handle, her knuckles white. “They’re still on us!”Ethan twisted in the back seat, his gun raised. “Yeah, no kidding! Hold this thing steady!”Adrian swerved hard left, nearly clipping a row of parked motorcycles. “Steady? Not an option right now.”Behind them, Damien’s black sedans were relentless, their headlights cutting through the darkness like hunting knives. More gunfire erupted, shattering the SUV’s back window.“Shit!” Juniper ducked. “That was way too close.”Ethan cursed, returning fire. A bullet struck the windshield of the nearest sedan, causing it to swerve. But the driver corrected fast. “They’re not backing off!”Adrian’s grip on the wheel tightened. “We need to lose them.”“You think?” Ethan snapped.Juniper’s heart pounded. The speed. The gunfire. The deafening roar of engines.
