CHAPTER 44

Chapter 44: Desperate Measures

The world seemed to shift as Isabella's breath grew shallower, her body growing colder in Alexander's arms. The searing pain in her chest had spread like wildfire, consuming her from the inside out. The warehouse was a blur of noise and movement, but all Alexander could focus on was her. Her fragile, beautiful form cradled in his arms.

"No, no…" he whispered again, the words barely escaping him as he felt his heart begin to crack.

She was slipping away. He could feel it.

Romanov stood there, watching them with a twisted satisfaction, the gun still pointed at them. His laughter echoed through the empty room, mocking them.

"Such a tragic end for the great Alexander Knight and his precious Isabella," Romanov said, his tone mocking. "All this time, and yet you couldn't save her. How typical."

Alexander's eyes flicked up to meet Romanov's, but all he could see was the fire of anger burning inside him. He hadn't come this far—he hadn't endured all the pain, the battles, and the sacrifices—only for this moment to be the one that broke him. No. He wouldn't let this be the end.

His fingers pressed tighter against Isabella's wound, trying to stop the flow of blood. "Hold on, Bella. Please, just hold on," he pleaded, his voice breaking.

She couldn't speak, but her eyes flickered open briefly, locking with his. Even in her pain, there was a sense of calm in her gaze. She gave him a weak smile—one that spoke of all the love she had for him, all the strength she had found in him.

"I love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but clear enough for him to hear. "You have to win. For us. For everything we've fought for."

A choked sob escaped his throat as he leaned closer, pressing his forehead against hers. "I won't let you go, Bella. I swear it. You're not leaving me."

Romanov, watching the exchange with amusement, began to walk toward them slowly. "You think you can stop me, Alexander? You think you can fix this? She's dying, and you—you're powerless. I have the power now."

But Alexander wasn't listening anymore. All he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat and Isabella's breath—labored and faint. His hands shook, and the world around him blurred. His mind was racing. There had to be something he could do. Something, anything to save her.

"I won't lose you," he growled under his breath, his voice a deadly promise. He glanced up at Romanov, his eyes now filled with fire.

Romanov stopped, sensing the shift in Alexander. He raised an eyebrow, his smile still firmly in place. "What are you going to do, Alexander? You're in no condition to fight."

But Alexander didn't need to fight him with brute strength. Not now. His fingers closed over a small device in his pocket—a device that could turn the tide of the battle in an instant. It was dangerous, risky, but if it worked… it could save Isabella.

He kept his gaze fixed on Romanov, watching him intently as his fingers brushed the device. He could feel the tension building in the air, the danger thick and palpable. Every movement felt like it could be his last, but there was no turning back.

Without warning, he hit the button.

---

A Moment of Power

A high-pitched whine filled the room, and the air around them seemed to thrum with a sudden shift in energy. Romanov's smug expression faltered for just a split second. The lights flickered, and then—everything froze.

Time seemed to stand still.

A powerful electromagnetic pulse blasted through the warehouse, knocking out all electronic devices. The lights went out completely, leaving them in near darkness. The sound of Romanov's gun clattering to the floor was the only thing that broke the eerie silence.

For a heartbeat, there was nothing but the sound of Alexander's breath as he held Isabella tightly, his heart racing. He had only one shot at this. He could only hope that the pulse had disrupted Romanov's control long enough for him to act.

"I won't let you die," he whispered to Isabella, his voice firm despite the panic clawing at his insides. He pressed his hand to her wound again, applying pressure, but this time, it felt different. The urgency of the situation—the sheer will to keep her alive—pushed him into motion.

Romanov, still reeling from the pulse, moved quickly to regain his composure. "You think you've won?" he spat, but there was something darker in his tone now, a flicker of fear. "You don't understand. It's not just about you and her. This is bigger than you, Alexander. This is about control—about destiny."

"I don't care about your destiny, Romanov," Alexander growled, his jaw clenched. "I care about her. And I'll burn the world down to keep her safe."

Romanov laughed bitterly, his eyes narrowing. "You think you can defeat me? I have resources beyond your comprehension. I have armies. I have power that spans continents. You're nothing compared to me."

"You're wrong," Alexander retorted, his voice growing in strength. He lifted Isabella in his arms, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. "You've underestimated us. I will make sure you understand what it means to lose everything you hold dear."

The fire in his chest burned brighter now. He wasn't just fighting for Isabella's life. He was fighting for their future. For everything they had built together.

He turned to Ethan, who had been silently observing the confrontation from behind, his expression hard. "Ethan, make sure he doesn't escape," Alexander ordered.

Without a word, Ethan moved swiftly into action, his eyes cold with purpose. He had no intention of letting Romanov get away again. Not after everything that had happened. Not after the chaos Romanov had unleashed in their lives.

Romanov, realizing the tables were turning, looked around the room with growing desperation. "You don't know what you're dealing with," he hissed. "I will make sure you pay for this, Alexander."

"I'll be waiting for you," Alexander shot back, his tone filled with cold resolve.

But as Romanov's steps faltered, as his plan began to crumble, Alexander's focus shifted back to Isabella. Her breathing was still shallow, and her pulse was faint. He needed to get her help—now. His gaze flickered around the room, searching for a way to stabilize her until they could get her to a hospital.

"Bella," he whispered, shaking her gently. "Stay with me. Please. You're not alone. I'm here. I'll always be here."

She blinked slowly, her eyes clouded with pain, but she managed a faint smile. "I don't want to leave you," she breathed, her voice barely audible.

He pressed his forehead to hers, his hands trembling as he felt the weight of the situation pressing in on him. "I won't let you go. I promise."

Her eyes closed again, and for a moment, Alexander thought he might lose her. His heart hammered in his chest, and the desperation to save her overtook every other thought.

But then, something unexpected happened.

A loud crash echoed from behind them, followed by a series of footsteps. Alexander whipped around, his body instinctively positioning itself between Isabella and the source of the noise. He was ready for anything—ready to fight, ready to kill, whatever it took to protect her.

But what he saw stopped him cold.

It wasn't Romanov—at least, not in the way he expected.

Standing in the doorway of the warehouse was a group of armed men, their faces obscured by masks. They were not with Romanov, not part of his plan—but their presence changed everything. They were here to help. They were allies. But Alexander couldn't understand why they would show up now, after everything that had happened.

"I hope we're not too late," a voice from the front of the group called. "We've been watching Romanov for a long time, Alexander. We couldn't just stand by while you did the impossible."

The figure stepped forward, revealing himself as a familiar face from Alexander's past. One he thought he'd never see again.

"Liam," Alexander whispered, his voice filled with disbelief.

Liam smiled grimly. "We came to help. Now let's get her out of here."

---

The Rescue

With Liam and his team's help, they managed to stabilize Isabella and rush her out of the warehouse. The medical supplies they had brought with them weren't enough to guarantee her survival, but it gave her the best chance.

As they drove through the night, Alexander's mind was reeling. His thoughts were a blur of everything that had happened: Romanov, Isabella's wound, the fight for control. And now… they had one chance to save her. One chance to put an end to this.

The world outside the car seemed a distant memory as he sat beside Isabella, holding her hand, determined that he wouldn't lose her.

Not now. Not ever.

To be continued…