Into the Lion's Den
A Silent Drive
The black SUV moved smoothly through the darkened city streets.
Emma sat in the backseat, sandwiched between two of Moretti's men.
The air inside the car was suffocating.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure they could hear it.
But she didn't speak.
Didn't move.
Didn't show fear.
Because fear was a weakness.
And Moretti would exploit every weakness she had.
—
A Destination Unknown
She had no idea where they were taking her.
The city lights blurred past.
She tried to memorize the route.
Tried to hold onto something—anything—useful.
But the driver took backstreets.
Twisted roads.
Made sure she wouldn't know where she was.
Her stomach churned.
She was walking straight into danger.
And she didn't even have a way to warn Alexander.
—
A Cruel Welcome
The car slowed.
A large warehouse loomed ahead.
Isolated.
Dark.
The perfect place for things to disappear.
Including people.
The car stopped.
The man beside her turned.
"Out."
Emma's hands clenched.
Then—
She stepped into the night.
—
A Face She Hated
Inside, the air smelled of metal and dust.
Dim lights flickered overhead.
And in the center of the room—
A figure sat in a chair, head slumped forward.
Emma's breath caught.
"Alexander!"
She ran forward—
But rough hands grabbed her arms.
She struggled.
"Let me go!"
A cold laugh echoed.
Then—
A familiar voice.
"Ah, Ms. Carter."
Emma's blood turned to ice.
Moretti stepped out of the shadows.
Smiling.
—
A Game of Power
Emma glared.
"Let him go."
Moretti sighed.
"So impatient."
He circled her slowly.
"You and Kingston… quite the pair."
Emma didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
Moretti's smirk widened.
"You don't even know what's coming, do you?"
She lifted her chin.
"I know you're afraid of him."
His smile vanished.
Then—
A hard slap.
Her head snapped to the side.
Pain bloomed.
But she didn't cry out.
Didn't give him the satisfaction.
—
A Threat She Can't Ignore
Moretti leaned in.
"You think he's unstoppable?"
Emma's jaw tightened.
Moretti chuckled.
"Not tonight."
He turned.
Snapped his fingers.
And a guard grabbed Alexander's hair—
Forcing his head up.
Emma gasped.
Blood.
Bruises.
His suit was torn.
But his eyes—
His eyes still burned.
Even beaten, he looked like a king.
—
A Demand That Changed Everything
Moretti clapped his hands.
"Now. Shall we talk business?"
Emma's hands shook.
"You don't want money," she whispered.
Moretti's grin widened.
"Smart girl."
He turned to Alexander.
"Tell her, Kingston. Tell her what this is really about."
Alexander didn't speak.
Moretti sighed.
"Fine. I'll do it."
He turned back to Emma.
"See, darling, this isn't about power. Or revenge. This…"
He gestured to them both.
"Is about you."
Emma's stomach dropped.
—
A Devastating Truth
Moretti's gaze darkened.
"Did he ever tell you why I hate him?"
Emma swallowed hard.
Moretti chuckled.
"Of course not."
He stepped closer.
"A year ago, I had a deal. A deal that would've given me everything I wanted."
His expression twisted.
"And then Kingston ruined it."
Emma's breath caught.
"That's why you want him dead?"
Moretti smiled.
"That's why I want you dead."
Emma froze.
Moretti leaned in.
"You see, sweetheart, he didn't just ruin my deal."
His voice dropped.
"He did it for you."
—
A Realization That Broke Her
Emma's heart stopped.
She turned to Alexander.
He didn't deny it.
Didn't look away.
Moretti laughed.
"Oh, you didn't know? He's been protecting you long before you knew his name."
Emma couldn't breathe.
"That's not—"
Moretti stepped back.
"Tell her, Kingston."
Silence.
Then—
Alexander's voice.
Low.
Steady.
"I would do it again."
—
A Love Worth Fighting For
Emma's eyes burned.
"You…"
Alexander exhaled.
"I never wanted you to know."
Moretti clapped his hands.
"How romantic."
Then—
His smile vanished.
"But now, it ends."
A gun was raised.
Pointed directly at Alexander's heart.
Emma's world shattered.
—
A Desperate Gamble
She lunged forward.
"NO!"
A guard grabbed her.
Pulled her back.
She fought.
Screamed.
But Moretti just smiled.
"Say goodbye, Ms. Carter."
Her chest ached.
Her mind raced.
She had to do something.
Had to stop this.
Then—
A thought struck her.
A crazy thought.
A dangerous thought.
—
A Deal With the Devil
Emma went still.
Then—
She whispered.
"I'll do it."
Moretti paused.
Emma's hands shook.
"I'll take his place."
Silence.
Then—
Moretti laughed.
"Take his place? How noble."
Emma forced herself to meet his gaze.
"You want to hurt him?"
She swallowed.
"Then let him go. And take me instead."
—
A Dangerous Decision
Alexander's voice was sharp.
"Emma, no."
She ignored him.
Moretti tilted his head.
"Interesting."
Emma's heart pounded.
"I know you don't trust him to suffer. He'll fight back."
She took a shaky breath.
"But me?"
She lifted her chin.
"I won't."
Moretti studied her.
Then—
A slow, cruel smile.
"Deal."
—
A Final Goodbye
The guards released Alexander.
He fell forward.
Emma rushed to him.
Knelt beside him.
"Emma," he rasped.
Tears blurred her vision.
She cupped his face.
"You have to go."
His grip tightened.
"I won't leave you."
Emma swallowed hard.
"You promised me."
Alexander's eyes burned.
Then—
Moretti's voice.
"Time's up."
—
A Choice That Changed Everything
The guards grabbed her.
Pulled her away.
Alexander fought.
Shouted her name.
But the doors slammed shut.
And just like that—
She was gone.