Page 16 of The Price of Mercy

The Car chase

Julian stepped out of the hospital, exhaustion weighing down his limbs, the long shift leaving his body aching for sleep. The cool night air was a relief against his heated skin, and he rolled his shoulders, trying to release the tension that had built up over the hours.

And then he saw him.

Enzo stood near the sleek black car parked by the curb, a vision of effortless dominance. The glow of the streetlights highlighted the sharp angles of his face; his chiseled jaw, the slight stubble framing his lips, the piercing green eyes that seemed to strip Julian bare with a single glance.

The tattoos peeking from under his fitted black shirt only added to his allure, a striking contrast to the refined, controlled power that radiated from him. He carried himself with an unshakable confidence, his posture relaxed yet charged with a silent warning; he was a man who was always in control.

Julian hesitated for a moment; his feet suddenly heavier than they should be. Every instinct screamed at him to turn back, to walk away, but the pull Enzo had over him was impossibleto ignore. His pulse quickened as Enzo’s gaze locked onto him, unwavering and expectant, like he had been waiting for Julian all night. The air between them felt thick, charged with something Julian couldn’t quite define, something dangerous and inescapable.

Without a word, Enzo reached for the door, holding it open. “Get in, doc,” he murmured, his voice deep, smooth, yet carrying an edge of command. Julian swallowed and forced himself to move, slipping inside the car. The scent of leather and Enzo’s cologne, rich, dark, and intoxicating, wrapped around him instantly.

The door shut with a firm click, and a moment later, Enzo slid into the seat beside him in the back. His presence was immediate, overwhelming, his body exuding heat and dominance even without touching Julian.

The driver, a broad-shouldered man Julian hadn’t noticed before, started the engine, and the car smoothly pulled away from the curb, the hum of the engine filling the silence between them.

Minutes passed, the quiet stretching, thick with unspoken words. Julian shifted in his seat, feeling the weight of Enzo’s gaze on him. It was unsettling, this strange tension between them, something that went beyond captor and captive, doctor and patient.

Then, out of nowhere, a loud crack shattered the silence. The windshield splintered as a bullet tore through the glass, missing them by mere inches.

“Shit!” Enzo growled, his hand shooting out to push Julian down against the seat. More gunfire erupted, the car swerving violently as the driver fought to maintain control. Julian’s heart pounded, adrenaline surging through his veins.

“Stay down!” Enzo’s voice was sharp, unwavering, and his body was tense, ready to react at any moment.

The car accelerated, weaving through the streets as bullets rained down around them. Julian’s breath came in ragged gasps, his fingers digging into the leather upholstery.

Whoever was after them wasn’t playing around.

Enzo’s jaw was clenched, his expression hard with fury as he assessed the situation, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike.

The car swerved violently again as the driver fought to evade their attackers. The tires screeched against the pavement, the force of the sudden movement slamming Julian against the seat. His breath came in short, panicked bursts, his fingers digging into the leather. The gunfire continued, sharp cracks piercing the night as bullets ricocheted off the car’s reinforced frame.

Another shot rang out, louder, closer, and then a sickening sound followed. A grunt, a sharp intake of breath.

The driver jerked, his hands spasming over the wheel before his body slumped forward.

Julian screamed.

The car veered sharply, but before it could spin out of control, Enzo lunged forward, grabbing the wheel with one hand and steadying their course. “Julian, get him in the back!” he barked, his voice sharp and urgent.

Julian’s hands trembled as he unbuckled the driver, dragging his limp body into the backseat. Blood soaked through his shirt, warm and wet beneath Julian’s fingers. Panic clawed at his throat, but his training took over, forcing him to focus.

“Damn it, Julian, I need you up here!” Enzo shouted as he stepped hard on the gas, the engine roaring in response. The car surged forward, narrowly dodging another barrage of bullets.

The green of Enzo’s eyes burned with fury, but beneath it, Julian swore he saw something else; something dangerously close to concern.

The driver let out a choked gasp, his body limp, blood seeping through his shirt. Julian instinctively reached for him, his medical training kicking in despite the chaos surrounding them.

“I have to stop the bleeding...”

“Then do it!,” Enzo growled. One hand on the wheel, his other hand went to his side, drawing a gun from its holster. “They’re still coming.”

Julian barely had time to process those words before another shot shattered the rear window.

Chapter 12

Between Life and Death

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