Page 19 of Victorious: Part I

“You thinkthisis going to break Alpha?” I laugh, the sound harsh and mocking. “You havenoidea who you’re dealing with. He’s going to hunt you down and carve you upsoslowly you’ll be begging for death. Just like your uncle who lost his head. Remember that?”

Javier’s smile falters slightly. “Such loyalty. It will make watching him fall apart all the more satisfying.” He gestures to one of his men. “Bring the camera. Let’s give Alpha a preview of what’s coming.”

The goon moves toward a bag in the corner while another steps closer to me, gripping my wounded shoulder painfully. I let out a yelp as Nighthawk positions herself by Livvy, her back to Javier while she prepares a syringe.

“A little adrenaline to wake Olivia up,” Nighthawk explains clinically. “We want her responsive for the camera, to give Alpha a good show.”

But I see Nighthawk slip something else from her sleeve—a thin blade, which she quietly presses into Livvy’s uninjured hand, and slowly, she curls her fingers around it.

Javier is so focused on his revenge that he doesn’t notice the subtle exchange or the way Nighthawk positions herself between two of his men, her stance subtly shifting to the offensive position I taught her years ago.

My heartbeat accelerates, muscles tense, ready for the fight that’s coming.

Drawing in a deep breath, I calm my heart rate, getting into focus.

I have to remove everything from my mind.

I’m not Haven right now.

I.

Am.

Blue Jay.

Across the room, my eyes meet Nighthawk’s for a split second.

Using just the slightest motion, I nod my head to give her a signal, and without hesitation, in one fluid motion, Nighthawk spins, driving a hidden blade into the throat of the nearest guard. Before the other can react, she kicks him hard in the knee, the sickening crack of breaking bone echoes through the facility.

Simultaneously, I throw myself backward, using the momentum to roll onto my knees. The guard holding me curses, reaching for his weapon, but I’m faster. Bringing my hand up and swiping it to the side, my palm slams into his wrist, and I hear the residual crack through the air. He screams as his hand goes limp, his gun falling to the concrete. He doubles over, and I slam my forehead into his nose. Blood sprays after cartilage crunches, and I use his distraction to roll, grabbing the knife from his belt, then lean over, not hesitating for a second, and slice his neck. Blood squirts over my shirt with the pulsing of his jugular, like a scene from a slasher film as he gargles and tries to stop the bleeding. But I don’t have time to waste. This guy has no hope, and I have to get Livvy the hell out of here.

Rushing to my feet while Javier shouts orders, his calm façade fracturing while chaos erupts. Two more guards rush in, weapons drawn, but Nighthawk moves like a shadow, her training evident with every precise strike.

Livvy struggles to sit up, the adrenaline surging through her body, giving her energy she truly doesn’t have right now. Her face is ashen, but determination burns in her eyes as she clutches the blade Nighthawk gave her.

“Get her out!” Nighthawk shouts at me, engaging another of Javier’s men. “I’ll cover you!”

I don’t waste time arguing. My priority is getting Livvy to safety. Rushing to Livvy, I cut her restraints and help her off the table. Her legs buckle immediately, and I catch her before she hits the floor.

“I’ve got you,” I reassure, supporting her weight against my side, though it’s easy to see from the intense bruising and severe cuts to her body she’s in real fucking trouble. “Stay with me, Liv,” I demand.

Her breathing is labored, and each inhale is a battle. “Haven… tell Alpha, Poppy…” she gasps, unable to finish.

“You’ll tell them your damn self,” I insist, half-dragging, half-carrying her toward a side exit. “Just hold on.”

A bullet whizzes past my head, embedding itself in the wall inches from us. I duck instinctively, pulling Livvy down with me behind a processing machine.

Javier stands by the main entrance, a handgun pointed in our direction, his face contorted with rage. “You think you can escapeme?There’s nowhere you can hide!” He fires again, the shot going wild as Nighthawk tackles one of Javier’s remaining men into him.

“Go!” she screams at me. “Get her out.Now!”

I hesitate only for a second.

Leaving Nighthawk behind feels wrong.

But Livvy’s deteriorating condition leaves me no choice—her survivalhasto be my priority.

Livvy is my mission.

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