Fire and Fury

The Storm Breaks

The compound was burning.

Black smoke curled into the night sky, thick and heavy with the scent of gunpowder. Flames licked the edges of the stone walls, casting eerie shadows as Alexander Kingston moved like a predator through the chaos.

His men had taken their positions, weaving through Moretti's guards with ruthless efficiency. The enemy's shouts echoed through the halls, but they were dying down—one by one, cut short by bullets.

Alexander was focused, relentless, a force of nature.

But his mind was locked on one thing.

Emma.

"Boss, we've breached the west wing." Derek's voice crackled through the earpiece.

"No sign of her yet."

Alexander's jaw clenched.

"Keep moving," he ordered, his voice sharp as a blade.

"Copy that."

His grip on the gun tightened as he stepped over a fallen body. His men were efficient, his strategy flawless.

Yet none of it mattered until he had her in his arms.

And if Moretti had laid a hand on her—

The bastard wouldn't live long enough to regret it.

—

The Cell of Lies

Emma's wrists burned from the rough ropes biting into her skin.

Her body ached, exhaustion weighing her down, but she forced herself to stay alert.

Gunfire echoed in the distance.

The walls of her prison vibrated with the force of explosions.

Hope flared inside her.

She knew.

Alexander was here.

Because hell itself wouldn't be enough to keep him from her.

She swallowed against the dryness in her throat.

Then—

The door creaked open.

Emma tensed.

Not Alexander.

Moretti.

He stepped into the room, his smirk cruel, his dark eyes gleaming.

"You really thought he'd come for you?" he mocked.

Emma didn't answer.

She didn't need to.

Because she knew.

Moretti chuckled, shaking his head. "He won't get past my men. You should've just taken my offer when you had the chance."

Emma's stomach twisted.

His "offer" had been a lie—an ultimatum wrapped in a pretty package.

Betray Alexander, or watch him die.

She had chosen to lie.

To break Alexander's heart in order to save his life.

But now?

Now she could hear the destruction outside, the way Moretti's men were losing.

And her hope solidified into certainty.

Alexander was coming.

He was already here.

—

The Devil Arrives

Moretti turned toward the door.

He heard it too.

The gunfire was getting closer.

His smirk faltered.

Then—

BANG.

The first gunshot was precise, slicing through Moretti's shoulder.

He stumbled, cursing, blood blooming against his expensive suit.

Emma's breath caught.

Because behind him—

Alexander.

Standing in the doorway, his gun raised, his sharp blue eyes darker than she had ever seen.

And for the first time—

Moretti looked afraid.

—

Retribution

Alexander didn't move at first.

Didn't speak.

The weight of his presence alone was suffocating.

Moretti gritted his teeth, pressing a hand to his wound. "Kingston."

Alexander's voice was low, lethal. "You shouldn't have touched her."

Moretti laughed, though there was no humor in it. "You're too late."

Alexander fired again.

This time, the bullet hit Moretti's knee.

He collapsed with a scream.

Emma flinched, but Alexander didn't even blink.

He stalked forward, slow and deliberate, until he stood over Moretti's writhing form.

"You took something that belongs to me," he said coldly.

Moretti coughed, his breathing ragged. "She doesn't belong to you—"

Alexander crouched, pressing the barrel of his gun to Moretti's forehead.

"She always has."

And then—

He pulled the trigger.

—

Reunited

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

Alexander turned to Emma.

She barely had time to react before he was untying her ropes, his hands surprisingly gentle.

The second she was free, she collapsed against him.

His arms wrapped around her, strong and unyielding.

"Tell me the truth," he murmured.

Emma's breath hitched.

She knew what he meant.

"I never loved you."

The lie she had told.

The one that had nearly broken them both.

Her fingers curled into his shirt, her throat tightening.

"I lied," she whispered.

She felt him exhale.

Then—

His lips crashed against hers.

She melted into him, tears slipping down her cheeks.

She had never felt safer.

Never felt more alive.

Because no matter what had happened—

They had found each other again.