CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6: The Edge of Darkness

1

Elena's world flickered between consciousness and darkness.

A dull ache throbbed at the back of her skull. The sharp scent of leather and cologne filled her nose—Gabriel's scent. She forced her eyes open, blinking against the dim light.

She was in a car. A black SUV.

Her wrists burned. Zip ties.

Across from her, Gabriel sat calmly, watching her with that unreadable expression—the one she used to love. The one she now hated.

"You should have listened," he murmured.

Elena clenched her jaw, forcing her body to stay still. Show no fear.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

Gabriel smirked, tilting his head. "Somewhere quiet. Where we can talk."

Her pulse pounded, but she didn't let it show. She shifted slightly, testing the strength of the zip ties. Tight. Too tight.

She glanced at the driver—one of Gabriel's men. Another sat in the passenger seat. Armed.

Luca. Where was Luca?

"Your friend is alive," Gabriel said, as if reading her mind. "For now."

Elena's blood ran cold.

She had to get out. Now.

2

Elena's heartbeat was steady, but her mind raced. Every second she sat in this SUV, the walls of Gabriel's trap closed tighter around her.

She forced herself to breathe. To think.

The car rumbled down a dark road, the city lights fading behind them. They were heading somewhere secluded. That's good. Fewer people. Fewer obstacles. More chances to escape.

Gabriel studied her, fingers tapping lightly against his knee. "You're thinking of running."

She met his gaze, unflinching. "Of course."

His lips curled into a smirk. "Good."

Her stomach tightened. This was a game to him. A test.

"You always did like to fight," he continued. "Even when we were together."

"We were never together," she snapped. "I was just another one of your pawns."

Gabriel sighed, almost as if he were disappointed. "And yet, you played the game so well."

Elena clenched her fists, the zip ties biting into her skin. Keep him talking. Keep him distracted.

The driver glanced at Gabriel in the rearview mirror. "Boss, we're five minutes out."

Five minutes.

That was all she had.

3

The car slowed as they approached an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Gravel crunched beneath the tires.

Elena's pulse quickened. No one around. No witnesses.

The second the car stopped, Gabriel's men stepped out first, scanning the area.

Elena had one shot.

As Gabriel reached for her arm, she lunged—twisting her body and slamming her shoulder into his chest.

Caught off guard, he grunted, losing his grip for a split second. That was all she needed.

She kicked out, slamming her foot against the door. It flew open.

She jumped.

Pain shot up her arms as she hit the ground, rolling hard on the gravel. The zip ties cut into her skin, but she pushed through the pain, scrambling to her feet.

Run.

Shouts erupted behind her. Footsteps.

Gunfire cracked through the air.

Elena ducked, weaving between rusted shipping containers. Almost there. Just a little further—

A heavy force slammed into her from behind, sending her crashing to the ground.

The taste of blood filled her mouth.

A hand tangled in her hair, yanking her up. Gabriel.

His grip was iron.

"You never learn," he murmured, voice like velvet.

Elena spat blood at his feet. "Neither do you."

And then, from the distance—

A gunshot.

5

The air inside the warehouse was thick with dust and the scent of rusted metal. Dim overhead lights flickered, casting eerie shadows across the space.

Elena's breathing was steady, but her mind was racing.

Gabriel's men forced her forward, stopping near an old metal table. The place looked like it had been abandoned for years, yet there were signs of recent use—chairs, a laptop on the table, and a single glass of whiskey waiting.

Gabriel entered a moment later, adjusting his cufflinks as if they weren't in the middle of a hostage situation.

"You've caused quite the mess tonight," he said smoothly.

Elena lifted her chin. "Not enough of a mess if I'm still standing."

Gabriel chuckled, stepping closer. "I missed this side of you."

She glared at him. "I don't care what you missed."

His expression darkened for a fraction of a second before his smirk returned. He pulled out a chair. "Sit."

Elena didn't move.

One of his men pressed a gun to her side.

She had no choice. Slowly, she lowered herself into the chair.

Gabriel leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. "I could have had you killed tonight."

"But you didn't."

His smirk deepened. "No, I didn't. Because this isn't just about punishment." He tilted his head. "It's about control."

Elena's fingers curled into fists. He wants me to break. To submit.

She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Gabriel's eyes flickered toward his men. "Leave us."

They hesitated.

"Now."

One by one, they exited, leaving them alone.

Elena's pulse pounded. She wasn't sure if being alone with Gabriel was better or worse.

He walked around the table, stopping just behind her. She felt the heat of his presence before his fingers brushed her shoulder.

She tensed.

"You were always the smartest one in the room," he murmured. "Tell me, Elena—what's your next move?"

She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Gabriel chuckled softly. "I do love a challenge."

So do I.

She just had to wait for the right moment to strike.

6

Elena listened carefully as Gabriel moved behind her. Every second he spent talking was a second she could use to figure out her escape.

He leaned in closer. "You're waiting for an opening."

She didn't respond.

Gabriel exhaled a quiet laugh. "You should know by now—I don't make mistakes."

But he did.

He let me live.

That was his first mistake.

He circled back in front of her, studying her as if he were peeling back layers of armor. "I told you before, Elena. This isn't just about revenge."

She kept her expression unreadable. "Then what is it about?"

Gabriel tilted his head. "Loyalty."

Her breath hitched for a second, but she didn't let him see it.

He took a sip of his whiskey, then placed the glass down with a quiet clink. "You think I want to kill you? No. I want to remind you who you belong to."

Elena's jaw tightened. "I don't belong to anyone."

Gabriel smiled. A slow, knowing smile. "We'll see."

Before she could respond, the warehouse doors burst open.

Gunfire erupted.

7

Chaos.

Bullets ripped through the air, hitting metal and shattering glass.

Gabriel's men scrambled for cover, shouting orders.

Elena lunged.

With Gabriel momentarily distracted, she slammed her shoulder into him, knocking him back. She spun toward the table, grabbing the whiskey glass and smashing it against the edge. The broken shards sliced through the zip ties around her wrists.

Free.

She grabbed the nearest gun from a fallen guard and dove behind a crate.

More shots rang out.

Through the smoke and flashes of gunfire, she spotted him—

Luca.

He was here. He came for her.

Gabriel, recovering from the blow, wiped blood from his lip and looked at her. For the first time that night, his expression shifted.

From control—

To rage.

"Elena," he warned.

But she didn't hesitate.

She raised the gun, aiming directly at him.

This time, she wouldn't miss.