Page 42 of Dark Prince

I head straight to the war room, rightfully named for what is kept within its walls. I strap on my vest and choose my weapons carefully, loading each one and cocking them, ensuring the safety is on once I do so. As I pack extra ammunition into my cargo pants, a torrent of emotions crashes over me. It's in this moment of clarity, amid the storm of preparation, that I truly understand the depth of my love for Maura. The thought that I hadn't fully acknowledged these feelings before, that I could lose her without ever having fully embraced that truth, gnaws at me with a ferocity that's almost too much to bear.

Fully equipped, I step out of the war room, only to find Elena waiting for me, her expression taut.

“What is it?” I ask, sensing the urgency of whatever she's holding back. “Tell me.”

Elena exhales heavily. “There's something you need to know. Something I swore to keep secret, to let her tell you herself, but it's too important to keep from you.”

Impatience and worry twist inside me, a volatile mix that threatens to explode. “Out with it.”

She meets my gaze, her resolve crumbling under the weight of her next words. “Maura’s pregnant, Luk.”

The world seems to stop for a moment; the news takes my breath away. Pregnant? Maura is carrying our child, and she's out there, in danger, because of Sharon.

The stakes, already sky-high, catapult into the stratosphere. This isn't just about saving the woman I love anymore; it's about protecting our future, our family.

I steel myself, the newfound knowledge fueling a fierce determination within me. “Do or die,” I whisper, more to myself than to Elena, vowing to bring Maura home, no matter the cost.

Elena nods, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. “We're with you. The family’s with you.”

I head down the hall, every step purposeful. The mission is clear, and the objective is singular. Rescue Maura and ensure the safety of our unborn child.

There is no other option.

Chapter 24

Maura

Fear and anger churn within me as I sit trapped in the back of the car. The cold, metallic glint of Sharon's gun is a constant reminder of the direness of my situation. Rory's eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror, but Sharon's smug satisfaction fuels my growing rage. The silence stretches oppressively and heavily until I can't bear it any longer.

“Why are you doing this?” I spit out, my voice laced with fear and fury. “What makes you think you have the right to tear apart my family, to take what my father rightfully left for me?”

Sharon's laughter fills the car, a sound devoid of warmth or genuine enjoyment. She turns to me, the gun still pointed in my direction, her eyes alight with a cruel glee. “Oh, Maura, do you not understand how the law works? I married your father. That means whatever he had should rightly go to me. I earned it, after all.”

Her words are like a slap in the face, a twisted justification for her greed and malice. The absurdity of her claim, her belief that she's entitled to the fruits of a life and a family she had no part in building, ignites a fire within me.

“Earned it? By doing what, Sharon? By scheming and plotting? You think marriage entitles you to things that were never meant for you?” My voice rises, the anger boiling over despite the danger of provoking her further.

Sharon's smirk widens, the barrel of the gun cold against my skin. “Yes, I believe I have earned it. That's how the world works, sweetheart. Your father was a fool, blinded by sentiment. I simply recognized that and swooped in, taking advantage of the situation. But a fool, I'm not. I see things clearly. I take what I want, and what I want is everything he left behind. Everything.”

Her words send a chill down my spine, and I’m reminded of the ruthless world I'm entangled in. But even in the face of her wickedness, I feel a resolve forming within, a strength I didn’t know I had. I may be at her mercy right now, but I'm not defeated. Not yet.

“You won't get away with this,” I tell her, meeting her gaze with defiance. “There are people who will come for me, who will stop at nothing to see you pay for what you've done.”

Sharon's response is an evil and dismissive laugh. “Let them try. I've always been one step ahead. And soon, everything will be mine.”

The car speeds on, the city a colorful blur beyond the windows. But inside the moving prison, I’m trapped in a battle of wills rages. Sharon may think she has the upper hand, but I'm not alone in this fight.I’ve no doubt Luk is moving heaven and earth to find me.

The tension in the back of the car is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Rory continues to drive in silence, his focus is unwavering, while Sharon keeps her gun trained on me, a twisted smile playing on her lips. Fear claws at my insides, but it's the fury, the burning sense of injustice, that propels me forward.

I’m shocked when Rory suddenly speaks. He's always been the silent type, the muscle behind Sharon's schemes. Now, he speaks up with a passion I’ve never seen him display. “We've waited decades for this,” he says, sounding almost giddy. “We finally have the means to be together openly. With Mick’s money, it will no longer be a dream; it will be our reality.”

Sharon's expression softens at his words, and she reaches forward to gently brush his cheek with her hand, a gesture of intimacy that makes my skin crawl.

“You're both so selfish,” I spit out, the disgust thick in my voice. “You're willing to destroy innocent lives for your own gains.”

But my words don't reach them. They're locked in their own world, convinced of their righteousness. It's then that the horrifying realization dawns on me—not only do they intend to kill me, but they genuinely believe they'll get away with it.

Panic turns to fury, then back to panic again, a dangerous cocktail that has me searching desperately for a way out. But with Rory at the wheel and Sharon's gun never wavering, my options are limited. I have to be smart, to wait for the right moment.

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