Chapter 73: The Breaking PointThorne's POVThe villa felt cold, colder than usual, as I was led down the stairs by Gavin. My legs were still weak, trembling slightly beneath me with every step. It had been days—maybe even weeks—since I'd been allowed to leave the small room where they'd confined me, and though the shackles were gone, I felt them still. The cold, oppressive feeling of being trapped. Memories of Garrett binding me in that room, with the injections of those accursed muscle relaxants, came surging back upon me like an oncoming tide to drown me. There is no amount of time that could ever erase it.Gavin's grip upon my arm was firm, as though he might imagine me to fall or lose my balance, but it was more than that-a physical restraint. He watched me-eyes darting from one corner of the hall to the other, his whole posture tense. I didn't blame him; it wasn't just the house that felt unsafe-it was everything. The thick air, laden with tension, seemed to close in on me as we
Chapter 73: A Turning PointThorne’s PovI stood my ground, my eyes locked on Garrett's. He had just told me that we needed to leave, that it wasn't safe to stay here. But I knew that I couldn't keep running, couldn't keep living in fear. I had to make a stand, had to take control of my own life."I'm not going anywhere with you," I said, my voice firm. "I'd rather die at Dexter's hands than be imprisoned by you like this."Garrett's face changed; his eyes clouded with hurt. But I couldn't let that sway me. I had to think about my survival, my freedom."I won't go with you again," I repeated. "I won't be your prisoner anymore."Garrett took one step closer, hands outstretched toward me. But I was ready for him. I pulled out the knife that had been tucked away, just waiting for the perfect moment to bring it out."Don't come closer," I warned, the knife shaking slightly in my hand. "Don't try to stop me and Gavin from leaving because we are not going to leave with you "Garrett's eyes
Chapter 74: A Desperate PleaThorne's POVThe air hung heavy with foreboding as the distinct sounds of guns being cocked sliced through the area, like the ominous drumbeats of fate. My breathing hitched at the view which was shoved down my throat: Garrett in the middle of the room, his face in the stark illumination of flashlights, hands halfway up in surrender. Fully armed FBI agents surrounded him, their weapons still trained on him, fingers resting precariously close to the triggers. The sight made my stomach churn.It all had happened in such a rush: one minute, we were at that stalemate of wills, my knife pressed to him, my anger aboil; the next, the door burst open and the agents swarmed in, suffocating. The world had tilted on its axis, and suddenly Garrett wasn't my captor anymore; he was a man cornered, his life hanging in the balance.I didn't know what to do. My muscles tensed, my mind racing to process this. I had wanted freedom. I had wanted escape. But I had never wanted
Chapter 75: Escaping the FlamesThorne’s PovIn an instant, my world turned to chaos. One minute I was caught in some sort of silent game of wills between Garrett and the FBI; the next, flames lanced up the walls, ravenous beasts eating upwards with terrifying speed. The air thickened in an instant, filling with smoke, heat, and the acrid smell of burning wood.I couldn't move.It was as if my body refused to process what was happening. My eyes darted from one side of the villa to the other, taking in the horror unfolding before me. The elegant furniture was being reduced to cinders in mere seconds, the luxurious curtains curling into blackened husks as fire licked at them mercilessly. Even the very floor beneath my feet felt as though it was beginning to burn.It was a fire that spread unnaturally fast, gobbling the villa down at a rate at which no escape could be entertained if we didn't act straight away.A deafening crack split the air, and a part of the ceiling collapsed, sending
Chapter 76: Remembrance of Past ExperiencesThorne’s PovI sat in the car and watched the villa behind us get engulfed by the fire, which seemed to burn everything that lay in its path. My eyes felt glued to the action, my body shivering down my spine at the scene and the events just experienced.I continued to stare at the fire engulfs until I saw a figure running toward us. Garrett. Anger and desperation had contorted his features, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity. A surge of fear ran through me as I watched him, my heart pounding in anticipation.But as I looked at Garrett, something weird happened. A memory flickered to life in my mind, a memory that I had thought was long gone. I saw myself, trapped in a burning building, flames licking at my skin. And I saw a figure, standing in the doorway, watching me burn.It was Garrett.It hit me like a ton of bricks, and my head simply reeled from the shock and horror of it all. Garrett, the man who had kept me captive, the
Chapter 77: Thorne's POVThe car sped down the dark, empty road, but I barely noticed. My eyes were open, staring at the blurred landscape beyond the window, but I wasn't seeing the present. I was trapped in the past, reliving the memory that had resurfaced with brutal clarity.Garrett.The name echoed in my mind like a curse.The man I had trusted. The man I had chosen.And he was the one who had destroyed everything.I dug my nails into my palms, my fists clenched. My breathing was shallow, irregular, as flashes from the past kept hitting me with the force of sledgehammers. I saw my team-Lisa, Marcos, Eric. I heard their last breaths, their last screams. I saw the dock, the smoke curling in the sky, the glint of gunmetal reflecting the dying light. And then, I saw him.Garrett, standing amidst carnage, so calm, untouched, unbothered."You thought you could win?"The words still played in my head, replaying in the same way that they had on that night. I remembered a gun barrel presse
Chapter 78: Garrett's POVI was confined within Cullen Manor, a prisoner on Donovan's orders. Guards stood at every exit, their eyes upon me every second in passing, to make sure I didn't get away. Suffocating, knowing each second that passed I was under someone else's watchful eye, captive, not free.Last night, desperation had driven me to try an escape. In the darkness of the night, I had reached the main door silently, but two guards were there to stop me. "Going somewhere, Garrett?" one sneered as they dragged me back to my room, his grip on my arm tightening. The memory of that failed attempt still seared in my mind.Now, pacing the confines of my room, my thoughts consumed Thorne. The FBI had taken him, and the image of him in their custody gnawed at me. I had to find a way to reach him, to bring him back. Not knowing what was happening to him was more than I could stand.The door creaked open, and Dexter came in, his face a mask of concern and frustration. I seized the moment:
Chapter 79: Garrett's POVI kneeled there, frozen, my eyes on Dexter as my heart jackrabbited against the wall of ribs. His expression shifted-surprise, followed by anger followed by.squirm. He looked conflicted.I didn't plead very well. Really never in life had I done it before anybody. For Thorne, it would be nothing. Even that.The only sound was the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. I had no idea how long I had knelled there-minutes? An hour? The stone beneath my knees ached, but I wasn't budging. I kept my eyes on Dexter, begging with him to understand.Finally, he blew out a hard breath and rubbed a hand through his hair before stepping forward."Damn it, Garrett." His voice was thick with frustration, but there was something beneath that-resignation.I held my breath as he reached for me, his grip on my arm tight as he dragged me to my feet.This is the last time," Dexter said, the muscles in his jaw flexed. His grasp on my arm was hard, bordering painful. "You hear me? T
Chapter Ninety Seven : The Unexpected FaceGarrett’s POVThe night was thick with tension, the kind that settled deep into your bones. The air smelled of gunpowder, damp earth, and the unmistakable scent of blood waiting to be spilled. My fingers flexed around the grip of my gun, steady and controlled. I had done this a hundred times before. Maybe more.This was supposed to be simple. A mission like any other.Donovan had everything planned down to the last detail. He had personally overseen the setup, making sure the men were ready, the information was solid, and the execution would be flawless. The target was dangerous, but nothing we couldn’t handle. I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t need to. That wasn’t how this worked.I stayed at the back, letting my men go in first. They knew their roles, moving in perfect sync, taking their positions, and striking with practiced efficiency. The first round of gunfire echoed through the night, sharp and relentless. Shouts followed—some from my m
Chapter 96 : Operation After A WhileGarrett's POVThe underground bunker smelled of gunpowder and metal, a scent that had once exhilarated me. Now it was the only thing reminding me of what kept me grounded. I'd spent too long locked within my own head, drowning in thoughts of Thorne, and letting my emotions take control. It had made me vulnerable. I'd let myself fall, and Donovan reminded me I hadn't forgotten.But tonight was different.Tonight, I was in charge again.I moved through the base, watching the men getting ready. Some were checking their guns, loading bullets into magazines, fitting silencers. Some were tightening gear, donning bulletproof vests and checking gloves. The air was heavy with tension, but I loved it. This was what I had been thirsting for. A mission. A purpose.I pushed my hair back, breathing out slowly. It had been far too long since I'd run an op myself. For months now, I'd been in the shadows, allowing others to handle it while I worked on my own issue.
Chapter Ninety Five : The Ultimate BetrayalLena's POVThe room felt stifling.I could hear the muffled hum of conversation in the distance, a reminder that we were not alone. But in this cold, dingy room, it felt like the world had narrowed down to the two of us—me and Damian. Or me, Damian, and the traitor.Damian's face was unreadable. His jaw was set, his fists buried at his hips. But his eyes—those dark, black eyes—reflected an emotion I had never witnessed.Betrayal."You?" His voice was smooth, deadly almost, but I could sense the storm brewing beneath it.The man standing before us—**one that Damian had trusted, one with whom he'd been friends for years—**shifted awkwardly. But their eyes didn't show any remorse. No guilt. Just cold calculation."You shouldn't be surprised, Damian," said the traitor."This was always going to happen."My stomach tightened. I had witnessed Damian rage on numerous occasions previously, but this. this was different. It was the kind of silence tha
Chapter Ninety Four : Insisting Chapter 94Garrett's POVI swore to myself I was not going to do this. I want to avoid him. Leave him to live his own life. But I couldn't.Each day, I caught myself seeking him out, yearning for just a glimpse of him. At first, it was little things—glancing around where I knew he would go, walking by the coffee shop where he always stopped to buy his morning beverage. At first, I kept my distance, just observing. Just seeing he was still there, still alive.Then I moved in closer.I started to show up where he was, as if by chance. Bumping into him at a coffee shop, acting like I was in shock that our bodies had collided. The initial few times, he barely even looked my way. His expression remained unreadable, and he never even nodded my way. But I saw the way his fingers curled into his hand. I saw how he drew in a little bit harder of a breath when he saw me.He noticed me.And that was enough to get me back.It rained one day—one of those sudden,
Chapter Ninety Three: Facing the TruthThorne's POVThe waiting room was quiet, except for the soft whir of the air conditioner. I sat, my eyes glued to the clock on the wall. Every second that passed took an eternity. My fingers tapped restlessly against my knee, unsure if I really wanted to be here.I'd been avoiding this for weeks—months, even. The idea of talking to someone, of laying it all out in the open, made my stomach twist. But something inside of me knew that I couldn't keep running. I was exhausted. My mind was a battleground, constantly fighting memories of Garrett, trying to erase him, push him away, but never managing."Thorne?"I looked up. A woman stood in the doorway, smiling sympathetically. "You can come in now."I swallowed, getting my legs to move. The office smelled of lavender, calming but not cozy. There was a couch, but I sat in the chair across from her desk. I didn't need to get too comfortable.Dr. Monroe, the therapist, sat down, opening a notebook. "Is
Chapter : A Change in the StormGarrett's POVRain scent clung to the air. The city blurred past me—cars speeding by, neon lights flashing against glass windows—but none of it mattered. My focus was on one place ahead of me.Thorne's place.I hadn't meant to be here, but going around it wasn't an option.I hated this.I hated that he was able to turn his back on me, ignore me like I was nothing. Before, at least, he had fought against me. Pushed me. Fought me. Now, only silence remained.I knocked once. Then twice. My fury grew with every second.The door finally opened.Thorne stood there, impassive face, eyes shaded with something very close to exhaustion. He wasn't shocked at all to see me, but he didn't move."Want to know what I want?" His voice was deep, controlled.Not icy. Not sharp. Just weary.That alone did something to the inside of me."I had to look at you," I said to him, my gaze sweeping his face for some sign of the anger, the rebellion I was accustomed to. But he did
Chapter 91 : HelpGarrett's POVThe moment Thorne fell, a crystalline fear cut through me like a blade. I had been standing here watching everything from afar but unable to help myself. Seeing him fall, seeing the way his body fell, vulnerable and open, all else seemed to fade.I was at his side in seconds, my hands around his shoulders. "Thorne!" His flesh was pale, his breathing straining. I didn't waste another second. Ignoring the chaos around us, I wrapped him up in my arms. He was thinner than I remembered—had he been taking care of himself? The thought coiled something inside my chest.The drive home was tense. I held Thorne tight, the hand on my knee, one arm wrapped tightly around him supporting him against my body. He groaned out in his sleep, but what he said wasn't clear. His eyes drew up, fingers spasm-ing, as though trapped in an unpleasant dream. I could visualize what he dreamed about.As soon as I had reached my home, I called the doctor. I barely accepted his questio
Chapter 90 - RejectionThorne's POVI stared at my computer screen, my jaw working in anger as I read the rejection letter for what felt like the umpteenth time. My on-site dispatch request had been denied. Again.A heavy sigh slipped from my lips as frustration mounted in my chest. How many times would they keep me back behind a desk, coddling me like fragile glass? I knew what they thought—that I wasn't ready, that my condition made me a liability in the field. But they were wrong. I wasn't weak. I had to prove it.Without hesitation, I got up from my desk and proceeded to my boss's office, knocking once at the door and then walking in. He looked up from his paperwork at me, his expression unreadable."I want to talk with you," I tried to state as calmly as possible.He put down his pen, resting back in his chair. "I assume it is regarding your application.".I nodded. "Sir, I need to be in the field. I can no longer sit behind a desk and watch other people do something. I know I ca
Chapter Title: Shadows WithinDamian’s POVThe room was silent except for the staccato beat of my fingers tapping on the rim of my desk. Outside, the city stretched into the darkness, its lights shimmering like stars stuck in the ground. But I couldn't spare time to enjoy the sight.Carlos was dead. One of our issues had been taken care of. But Bianca? She was still out there. And she had known our every move before we made it. That could be only one thing—someone within my own command had been giving her information.My men were loyal. At least, they were supposed to be. They had all fought, bled, and nearly died on my command. They had suffered betrayals, ambushes, and the struggle for power with me. So, who was the traitor?I scanned the reports covering my desk—transaction records, intercepted communications from Bianca's organization, irregularities in recent orders. The puzzle wasn't coming together yet, but I was close.A knock on the door made me lift my head. "Come in."Loren