Chapter 239: Blood and Loyalty

Chris exhaled sharply, pressing a hand against his side where Ava's knife had struck. The warmth of his own blood seeped through his fingers, but his expression remained unreadable—as if pain was just an inconvenience.

Behind him, Cole stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the wound before glancing at Chris's face. "You were just stabbed," he said flatly.

Chris arched a brow. "Brilliant observation."

Cole smirked slightly but didn't miss a beat. "So what do you want me to do? Kill her?" He tilted his head toward Ava, who was still breathing heavily, standing rigid like she was preparing for the worst.

Skylar's stomach twisted. Chris wouldn't… would he?

Chris let out a slow breath, considering. The room was silent, everyone waiting for his word.

Then, finally—he laughed.

A dry, quiet chuckle as he wiped the blood from his palm onto his coat.

"Not yet," he murmured. His gaze flicked to Ava, who held her ground despite the tension coiling around them. "She's impulsive. Reckless. But not stupid."

Ava narrowed her eyes, but she didn't speak.

Chris turned back to Cole. "Patch me up. Then lock her up."

Cole nodded, already signaling to the guards. Two of them moved toward Ava, but before they grabbed her, Chris added, "Make sure she regrets it."

Ava stiffened, but she didn't resist as the soldiers grabbed her arms.

Chris met her eyes one last time. There was no anger in his gaze. Just certainty.

"You had your chance," he said quietly.

Then he turned to Skylar.

"Let's go."

Skylar's breath hitched. This was it.

She wasn't walking away this time. None of them were.