Page 120 of Alpha's Revenge Luna
“Always,” he replies, but there is no humor in his smile, just the grim acceptance of a man acquainted with danger.
He presses his lips to my forehead and steps out into the chill of the carpark, the damp air clinging to my skin.Behind me, I hear the soft click of the stairwell door locking.
My footsteps echo, too loud in the cramped space, each one sending a pulse of dread through me.I cling to the cold railing.Halfway up, the first steps a sudden burst of voices from below halts me mid-step—gruff, urgent tones that claw at the silence.I pause, turning back toward the door.I creep down the steps, pressing my back against the gritty wall.At first, I hear nothing but the low sound of an engine and then I hear doors shutting on a car.
“Got the stuff ready?”one voice rumbles, a deep baritone that seems to vibrate through the very air.
“Yep, it’s all loaded,” another replies, the sound of metal clinking subtly beneath his words.“This new poison they cooked up should knock him down long enough.”
My heart clenches, the beat erratic.Poison?The thought sends a shiver down my spine, and I imagine the minuscule slivers of death, concealed in the guise of lead, waiting to be propelled by hatred and ignorance.
“Make sure you’re locked and loaded,” the first man orders.“We can’t afford any slip-ups.That Hybrid freak is probably armed.”
A cold sweat breaks out across my forehead, but I force myself to listen, to gather every scrap of information, no matter how much it carves at my soul.
“We fuck up this time, she may just have our heads,” I hear and I pinch my brows together.
“Shut it, Ronny!”the baritone voice hisses.
“Found the car, it’s on the next level.They’re definitely here,” comes another voice.
“Just find the girl, and let’s put that bastard down once and for all.”I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand, the noise sounding far too loud in the stairwell’s silence.
My mind reels, my stomach churning with a nauseating mix of disbelief and realization.How could she?And yet, she has betrayed me, betrayed us both, with a single phone call.
“Keep it down,” the boss grunts.“Just focus on the job.Once we’ve dealt with this, we’ll get our payday.”
They are moving now, their steps a muffled drumbeat retreating further into the shadows of the carpark.I remain frozen, grappling with the fear that seems to have taken root inside me when I hear the car’s engine cut off and I hear their footsteps growing more distant.
Chapter 43
As the car door swings open, I leap out and fling the backdoor wide, my gaze darting anxiously.Time is ticking before they catch up, and our only chance is to keep their focus on us long enough for Emery to escape.I forcefully push Emery into the emergency stairwell, my heart pounding with concern for her safety.These people are capable of unimaginable horror.
Emery stares at me, panic etched across her face as I shove her inside.
“Go up into the mall.Blend in.I’ll handle things here,” I assure her.
“What’s happening?”she questions, just as Kyrio appears behind me.
“We’ll surprise them from below,” Kyrio declares, swiftly removing his shirt before bounding over the barrier to the lower level.
“Go, Emery.Now.I’ll find you,” I insist, turning to help Kyrio.But she attempts to follow, her determination shining through.
“No, I’m not leaving you—” she pleads, clutching my shoulders.
“This isn’t up for debate!”I snap more sharply than intended.
She hesitates, fear widening her eyes, and for a fleeting moment, I consider keeping her by my side.Yet deep down, I know she’ll be safer away from the imminent bloodshed.“Go!”I command firmly.Reluctantly, she turns and disappears up the stairs.
Kyrio has descended to the floor below while I sprint back to the car, maneuvering it down another level.Eagerly joining Kyrio’s side, we take cover amidst the parked cars.Our senses heighten as we listen for the approaching danger.The sound of footsteps resonates from above level, where Emery remains hidden.Panic gnaws at me with each passing second when her voice flits through my head.
“The bullets, Dion.They’re filled with poison!”she yells through the mind-link just as the first one rings out smashing the car window above my head.
“What the fuck are you still doing here.Get out of here!”I order her.
Hearing the voices of our ruthless pursuers, caging us in, I step out from behind a car.Kyrio grips my arm, halting my impulsive move, and I meet his eyes.He signals he’ll flank from the opposite side.The familiar stench of the men we’ve relentlessly fought against at the warehouse fills the air.
Silently communicating through subtle gestures, we eliminate the armed men one by one.But their numbers prove overwhelming, and soon, we find ourselves outnumbered when more SUVs show up with more men.My chest is littered with bullet holes.And searing pain slices through me, yet that is forgotten as Kyrio groans, struck by a stray bullet.Those bullets won’t take me down, but whatever is inside these weakens me.My senses are off and so is my balance, so I wonder how many more I could handle.But Kyrio isn’t as immune to death as me.
