The rain began to fall just as Liam stepped outside the towering Blackwood headquarters.
Dark clouds swallowed the sky, and thunder rumbled in the distance, matching the storm building inside his chest. His black suit clung slightly to his broad shoulders as raindrops hit the pavement around him.
Marcus opened the door of the armored SUV.
"The men are ready," he said. "We tracked the signal from Ava's phone. She's being held at an abandoned warehouse near the docks."
Liam's jaw tightened.
"Victor Romano," he muttered, his voice cold with fury. "He finally crossed the line."
Marcus glanced at him carefully. "This could be a trap."
Liam slid into the back seat of the vehicle, his dark eyes burning with determination.
"I don't care," he replied.
"We're getting her back."
The car sped off into the rainy night, tires screeching against the wet road.
Inside the vehicle, silence filled the air except for the sound of thunder and the steady clicking of Marcus loading a handgun.
Liam stared out the window, his thoughts racing.
He kept seeing Ava's face—her shy smile, her bright eyes, the way she laughed when she was nervous. He had promised himself he would never let his dangerous world touch her.
And now she was paying the price.
His fists clenched.
Not again.
He had lost people before—friends, allies, even family. But losing Ava? That was something he refused to accept.
"Drive faster," he ordered.
The driver nodded.
At the Warehouse
Ava shivered in the cold, dark room.
Her wrists ached from the tight ropes binding them behind the chair. The flickering light above her head buzzed loudly, making the shadows dance across the cracked walls.
She tried to stay calm, but fear crawled through her body like ice.
The large metal door creaked open.
Victor Romano stepped inside.
He was tall, dressed in a long black coat, his slicked-back hair shining under the dim light. His expression carried a cruel confidence, the kind of smile that made her stomach twist.
"Well, well," he said slowly. "The princess is still awake."
Ava swallowed hard.
"What do you want from me?" she demanded, trying to sound brave.
Victor walked closer, his shoes echoing against the concrete floor.
"I don't want you," he replied calmly.
"I want Liam."
Her heart pounded.
"You're using me as bait," she realized.
Victor smirked.
"Smart girl."
He crouched in front of her, studying her face carefully.
"You know," he added, "he wasn't always this powerful. Years ago, he made a mistake. A very expensive one."
Ava frowned.
"What mistake?"
Victor's smile faded slightly, replaced by cold hatred.
"He destroyed my empire," he said.
"So now… I'm going to destroy his heart."
Fear tightened in Ava's chest.
But before she could respond—
A loud crash echoed outside the warehouse.
Gunshots followed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Victor's head snapped toward the door.
"They're here," one of his guards shouted.
Victor slowly stood, his expression turning dark.
"Stay with her," he ordered the men.
Then he walked out, pulling a gun from his coat.
Ava's heart leaped.
Liam came.
Outside the Warehouse
Rain poured heavily as Liam stepped out of the SUV.
Dozens of black vehicles surrounded the building. Armed men spread out, taking positions behind crates and cars.
Lightning flashed across the sky, briefly illuminating Liam's face.
Cold. Focused. Furious.
Marcus handed him a gun.
"Ready?" he asked.
Liam checked the weapon, his voice steady.
"I've been ready since they touched her."
Another thunderclap roared.
Then—
"Move in!" Marcus shouted.
The team rushed forward.
Gunfire exploded through the night as Liam charged toward the warehouse entrance, his movements fast and precise. He kicked the metal door open with brutal force.
Inside, chaos erupted.
Guards fired wildly, but Liam moved like a storm—dodging bullets, striking with deadly accuracy. One by one, the enemies fell.
His only thought was Ava.
Find her. Protect her. Bring her home.
He sprinted down a dark hallway, ignoring the noise behind him.
Then he heard it.
A faint voice.
"Help!"
His heart slammed against his chest.
"Ava!" he shouted.
He burst into the room.
There she was—tied to a chair, pale and trembling but alive.
Relief crashed over him like a wave.
"Ava," he breathed.
Tears filled her eyes the moment she saw him.
"Liam…"
He rushed forward and quickly untied the ropes around her wrists. As soon as her hands were free, she threw her arms around him.
He froze for a second, then wrapped his arms tightly around her.
She felt warm. Real. Safe.
"I thought I was going to die," she whispered shakily.
His voice softened, filled with emotion.
"You're safe now," he said.
"I've got you."
For a brief moment, the world disappeared.
There was no danger.
No enemies.
Just the two of them holding each other.
But suddenly—
Click.
The sound of a gun being cocked echoed behind them.
A cold voice spoke.
"Touching reunion."
Liam slowly turned.
Victor Romano stood in the doorway, pointing a gun directly at them.
Rain thundered outside.
The tension in the room became suffocating.
Victor smiled.
"Now," he said calmly,
"let's see how much you're willing to sacrifice for love."