A Dangerous Rescue

The Devil's True Intentions

Callum Voss wasn't a man who liked losing.

As Ariana and Damian rushed toward the cellar, Callum watched them with a slow, twisted smile. His fingers drummed against the poker table, eyes dark with something far more dangerous than amusement.

Ariana Carter had intrigued him. She wasn't just another pretty woman walking into the lion's den—she was a fighter.

And Callum loved breaking fighters.

His voice was a low murmur as he turned to his right-hand man. "Lock the back exits. We're not letting them walk out so easily."

The man hesitated. "Damian Kingsley isn't someone we should—"

Callum's glare turned deadly. "Do I look like I care?"

A slow smirk curved his lips. "If I can't have the girl through a bet… I'll just take her another way."

---

The Cellar's Secret

Ariana's heels echoed against the cold, stone floor as she ran. Damian moved ahead of her, his every step purposeful, deadly.

She barely had time to process the suffocating scent of damp walls and iron before Damian kicked open the cellar door.

Her breath caught.

Ryan.

He was slumped against the wall, hands bound, face bloodied. But he was alive.

"Ryan!" Ariana rushed to him, hands shaking as she touched his bruised face.

His eyelids fluttered. "Ari?" His voice was weak. Too weak.

A sob of relief caught in her throat. "I'm here. I'm getting you out."

Damian stepped forward, swiftly cutting the ropes binding Ryan's wrists. The second he was freed, Ryan collapsed against Ariana, his body too weak to stand.

Damian's voice was clipped. "We need to move. Now."

Ariana nodded, adjusting Ryan's arm over her shoulders.

They turned—

And the door slammed shut.

The unmistakable click of a lock echoed through the air.

Ariana's blood ran cold.

From the other side of the door, Callum's voice was almost mocking.

"Leaving so soon?"

---

The Trap Closes In

Damian didn't waste a second. He moved, slamming his fist against the door. "Voss, open the damn door."

Callum chuckled. "Now, why would I do that?"

Ariana gritted her teeth."We had a deal."

"A deal that entertained me." Callum's voice turned silky, sinister. "But you see, sweetheart, I don't like losing. And you? You've become far too interesting for me to just let you walk away."

Ariana's heart pounded.

This wasn't just about revenge. Callum wanted her.

Damian's voice was lethal. "If you so much as lay a hand on her, I'll kill you."

Callum laughed. "That possessiveness is cute, Kingsley. But let's see how you handle things when the odds aren't in your favor."

A sharp metallic sound echoed—

Gunfire.

Ariana flinched. "He has men outside."

Damian's jaw clenched. "And he's underestimating me."

He turned to Ariana. "Stay with Ryan. Don't move."

Ariana wasn't the type to take orders. But this wasn't about ego—Ryan was barely conscious, and they were trapped.

Damian pulled a gun from his holster.

Ariana's eyes widened. "How did you—"

Damian smirked. "You really think I walk into enemy territory unarmed?"

With one swift motion, he aimed at the hinges of the door and fired.

The lock shattered.

Ariana barely had time to react before Damian kicked the door open—

And came face to face with Callum's men.

---

The Final Standoff

The hallway was filled with at least ten armed guards.

Callum stood behind them, hands in his pockets, completely relaxed.

"Tsk, tsk, Damian," he drawled. "You always ruin my fun."

Damian didn't hesitate. He fired.

The first guard dropped before the others had time to react. Then all hell broke loose.

Ariana shielded Ryan as bullets tore through the hallway. Damian moved like a predator, swift and precise.Every shot found its target.

But they were outnumbered.

Ariana's mind raced. Think, Ariana. Think.

Her gaze flickered to a fire extinguisher on the wall. That's it.

She grabbed it, aimed at the guards, and pressed the trigger.

A burst of white fog exploded through the hallway, blinding them.

"Damian! Move!"

He didn't need to be told twice.

Grabbing Ariana's wrist, he pulled her and Ryan through the chaos.

They ran. Fast.

The exit was just ahead—

But so was Callum.

His cold, empty eyes locked onto Ariana.

"I'm not done with you yet," he murmured.

Ariana's stomach twisted.

But Damian's voice was steel. "Stay the hell away from her."

Without another word, he raised his gun.

Callum smirked. "Until next time, Kingsley."

And then, he disappeared into the shadows.

---

Safe… For Now

The car sped through the city streets.

Ryan was in the backseat, barely conscious. Ariana held his hand, her entire body still trembling.

Damian drove in silence.

Until—

"We need to talk."

Ariana turned to him, her voice raw. "About what?"

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Callum isn't done. And if he wants you—"

Ariana's breath caught.

He didn't finish the sentence.

Because he didn't have to.

She knew.

Damian Kingsley would burn the world to the ground before he let Callum Voss touch her.

And for the first time in her life—

Ariana wasn't sure what scared her more.

Callum's obsession.

Or Damian's determination to protect her.

---

To Be Continued…