Safe in His Arms

Escape Into the Night

The compound burned behind them.

Thick plumes of smoke rose into the sky, glowing orange under the moonlight as flames consumed Moretti's empire. The distant sound of sirens wailing in the city barely reached them, muffled by the steady thrum of Alexander Kingston's heartbeat.

He didn't care about the destruction.

Didn't care about the bodies left in his wake.

Because the only thing that mattered—

Emma was in his arms.

She trembled against him, but whether from shock, exhaustion, or relief, he didn't know.

All he knew was that he would never let her go again.

"Boss, the perimeter is secure," Derek's voice crackled through his earpiece. "We have the cars ready."

"Copy," Alexander said, his voice low. "We're coming out."

He guided Emma forward, his grip firm but gentle.

Her steps were unsteady, her legs weak after days of captivity, but she didn't complain.

She just held onto him.

And Alexander?

He held onto her even tighter.

—

The Ride Back

The car was silent except for the hum of the engine.

Emma sat beside Alexander in the backseat, wrapped in his coat, her body curled into itself.

Her fingers clutched the thick fabric like a lifeline.

Alexander watched her, his jaw tight, his mind racing.

She hadn't said much since they left the compound.

Hadn't asked about Moretti.

Hadn't looked at him the way she used to.

The way that made him feel like a king.

He wanted to hear her voice.

But more than that—

He needed the truth.

"Emma."

She flinched at the sound of his voice.

He didn't like that.

His hand reached out, hesitating for only a second before he tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.

"Talk to me," he murmured.

She exhaled shakily, finally looking at him.

Her brown eyes were filled with emotions he couldn't read.

"I…" She swallowed hard. "I didn't think you'd come."

His chest tightened.

His fingers curled into a fist.

"You should have known better."

She let out a bitter laugh. "After what I said to you?"

Yes.

Her lie.

"I never loved you."

The words still haunted him.

Even now, even knowing the truth, the memory of them twisted like a knife in his gut.

"You're a terrible liar, sweetheart," he said, his voice low.

Her lips parted, eyes widening slightly.

Then, to his relief—

She smiled.

Just a small one. Just enough to ease the tightness in his chest.

But enough.

For now.

—

Home

The Kingston estate loomed in the darkness, its towering silhouette a stark contrast against the night sky.

The gates opened automatically as they approached, and the car rolled smoothly up the long driveway.

The moment they stopped, Alexander was out of the car, moving to Emma's side.

She didn't protest when he lifted her into his arms.

Didn't argue when he carried her inside, past his staff, past Derek, past the world itself.

Because right now—

She was his world.

He took her upstairs, straight to his room.

Their room.

The place she had once run from.

Now, she didn't resist as he set her down on the bed, kneeling before her, his large hands framing her face.

"You're safe," he told her.

Her breath hitched.

"With me, you'll always be safe."

Tears welled up in her eyes.

And for the first time since he found her—

She broke.

Sobs wracked her small frame, her hands clutching at his shirt, her face buried against his chest.

Alexander held her.

Let her cry.

Let her heal.

And as she trembled in his arms, he made a silent vow.

He would never let her go again.