Page 56 of Echoes of Danger

A moment later, Steel is back at my side, crouching down and urging me back onto his back. “All clear,” he whispers, his voice steady. “Hop on.”

I bite my bottom lip as I do as I’m ordered.

“Ouch,” I whisper, tears flowing down my face. “Hurts.”

I can’t seem to catch my breath as I try and push the pain back.

“Not much longer, sweetheart,” he whispers. “You’re doing so good.”

“And where exactly do you think you two are going?”

Oh no. Paston.

“Just let her go, Paston,” Steel says. “Do whatever you want with me, but let her go.”

“She’s the one I want, Steel,” Paston says. I can’t fully see his face, but I’ll never forget it. He’s handsome. Artificially perfect. Everything on him looks fake. But, his eyes, as dark as his soul, can look right through you.

Steel stiffens beneath me, his muscles coiling like a spring ready to snap. “Not happening, Paston,” he says, his voice steady and calm, but there’s an edge to it, a promise of violence simmering just beneath the surface.

“You think you’re in a position to negotiate?” Paston laughs, the sound hollow and cold. “You can’t protect her. Not from me.”

Steel’s grip tightens on my thighs, securing me as if to shield me with his very body. “She’s not yours to take,” he growls.

“I don’t think you understand, Steel,” Paston says, his voice dripping with smugness. “Delphi Mae has always been mine. She’s coming with me, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

I cling to Steel, my heart racing as fear courses through me. But beneath the fear, something else stirs. Anger. I’ve spent too long being helpless, too long letting men like Paston dictate my fate.

“Not happening,” I say, my voice shaking but firm. “You’ll have to kill me first.”

His laugh echoes in the narrow hallway. “Oh, sweetheart, I don’t want to kill you. I just want to own you. And maybe, if you behave, I’ll let your little friends live.”

Steel shifts slightly, his weight shifting as if preparing to spring.

Paston’s face twists in annoyance. “You think you’re a hero, Steel? That you can save her? You’re just a dog trying to protect a bone. Pathetic.”

Steel doesn’t respond. Instead, he lets me down again, his movements slow and deliberate. My legs tremble as they hit the floor, but I manage to stay upright, my back pressed against the wall for support.

“Delphi,” Steel murmurs, his eyes never leaving Paston. “Stay behind me. No matter what happens, you stay behind me.”

Tears sting my eyes, but I nod. “Steel…”

“No arguments,” he says, cutting me off. “I’ll get you out of this.”

Paston takes a step closer, his dark eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. “Touching,” he sneers. “But this is where your little rescue attempt ends.”

Steel moves faster than I’ve ever seen, lunging toward Paston with deadly precision. The two collide, and the sound of their struggle fills the hallway. I press myself against the wall, watching helplessly as Steel blocks a punch and counters with a brutal strike to Paston’s ribs.

“Stay down,” Steel growls, but Paston just laughs, wiping blood from his lip.

“You’re good,” Paston admits, his voice tinged with grudging respect. “But I’ve got friends.”

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps echoes down the corridor. My heart sinks. More guards.

“Steel!” I whisper urgently, panic rising in my chest.

“I hear them,” he snaps, his focus unwavering. He glances back at me, his expression hard. “When I say go, you run. Do you hear me? You run.”

“No!” I cry, shaking my head. “I’m not leaving you!”

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