Page 109 of Royal Bargain

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I swallow hard. She’s right. Dariy never just does anything—he plays with his food first.

“Whatever message you’ve got,” Sasha snaps at the man, “you can deliver it and leave. She’s not going anywhere with you.”

But I can feel it—this isn’t just a message. This is a test. A warning. Maybe even a summons.

And the worst part?

I think I have to go. I don’t want to. But I can feel it in my bones.

The man in black starts walking toward me—slow, like he already knows I won’t run.

“Don’t,” Sasha snaps, stepping in front of me again. Her voice is steel. “I mean it.”

But he keeps coming.

Reaches out. Fingers brush my sleeve?—

SCREECH

Tires scream against the pavement.

Then gunfire—loud and brutal, like the world cracking in half.

“Down!” Sasha yells, grabbing my arm and dragging me with her.

We hit the ground behind a parked car, hard. My hands fly over my head. Adrenaline roars in my ears. I can’t hear anything else.

Somewhere behind us, a shout. Another shot.

Then,

Silence.

My chest is tight. I lift my head slowly, peering over the hood.

Liam.

Gun still raised. Chest heaving like he just ran a mile in full armor.

One man’s down—blood spilling into the street like ink.

Another, near the SUV, hasn’t moved.

Didn’t even know he was there.

Liam’s eyes lock with mine.

“Run!” I shout at Sasha, already pushing her toward the alley. “Go—now!”

She stumbles, catches herself, then bolts. Her heels echo as she disappears around the corner.

I don’t even get to breathe.

Liam’s suddenly beside me, grabbing my wrist. “Let’s go.”

“Liam—”

“No time.” His voice is tight, low. “Move.”

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