Ava's POV
The cold whisper still echoed in my ears as I gripped the flashlight tighter, every nerve screaming. That voice it was the last person I ever expected to hear again. The man who haunted my past, who'd nearly destroyed me, was somewhere in the shadows of my sanctuary.
"Show yourself," I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt.
A low chuckle slid through the dark.
"Always so brave," he said. "But you don't get to play hero this time, Ava."
My heart pounded as the room's edges blurred in the weak flashlight beam. His presence was like poison in the air close, dangerous, and laced with secrets.
Before I could react, a hand shot out, grabbing my wrist in a brutal grip. I twisted, but he yanked me into the darkness, his breath sharp against my neck.
"Why now?" I gasped.
"Because you're mine," the voice hissed, "and Jaxon Cross can't protect you forever."
Jaxon's POV
Back at the estate, I raced through the darkened corridors. My phone was dead after Ava's last call. When the power cut, I knew someone was inside.
My instincts screamed to get to her, but the security system was already compromised. Every second counted.
I forced my fingers to steady my breath as I reached for the gun tucked in my jacket. No hesitation, no second-guessing just pure, lethal focus.
I heard a faint noise upstairs the unmistakable echo of a struggle.
The thought of Ava in danger shattered my control.
Not her. Not my Ava.
I drew the gun from my jacket. No hesitation just lethal focus.
A noise upstairs, sharp and unmistakable.
A struggle. Ava?
Back to Ava
His grip tightened, dragging me deeper into the room. His breath was warm, a sick contrast to the chill crawling down my spine.
"Let go of me!" I slammed my elbow into his ribs.
He grunted, loosening his hold just enough for me to break free. I spun, aiming the flashlight at his face.
My blood froze.
It was Carter.
Carter's POV
"You again," I breathed disbelief and fury colliding.
"I told you I'd find you," he said, his smile twisted. "No matter how far you run."
The nightmares I thought I'd escaped rushed back ..betrayal, lies, danger.
"You don't get to play this game," I said, inching toward the door.
His eyes darkened. "Oh, Ava… this is just the beginning."
I lunged for the handle. Carter slammed into me. We crashed to the floor, a mess of limbs and desperation.
The flashlight skittered away. Darkness swallowed us.
His hand found my hair. He gripped it tight. "You'll never be free."
The desperation in his voice lit something inside me fear, yes, but also a primal fight.
And… curiosity.
Then the front door slammed open.
Heavy footsteps. A fury I knew well.
Jaxon.
"Let her go," he commanded, voice like thunder.
Carter snarled, but Jaxon was faster. One brutal punch landed squarely on Carter's jaw.
Carter stumbled, blood dripping from his lip.
"This ends now," Jaxon growled.
"You think this is over?" Carter spat. "You're tied to her. But you'll never win."
"Watch me."
Jaxon pulled me into his arms. His fingers threaded through my hair, anchoring me. For a moment, the chaos fell away.
"You scared me," he said, voice raw.
I pressed my head to his chest, heart racing. "I'm not running anymore."
His lips brushed my temple. "Good. Because I'm not letting go."
Then his phone buzzed.
He read the message and paled.
"Someone accessed my private files," he said. "They know about the Cross secrets. And they're coming for us."
The door creaked open behind us.
A shadow stepped inside.
And everything was about to explode.