No safe heaven

Elena's hands trembled as she absorbed her father's words. The room felt colder, the walls pressing in as the weight of his ultimatum settled over her.

Stay and be a pawn in his war. Walk away and never be safe again.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She wanted to scream, to demand why her life had always been dictated by the choices of men—Noah, Ethan, and now the father she barely knew. But instead, she forced herself to breathe, to think.

She turned to Noah, whose face was unreadable, but his body was tense—ready for a fight. Ethan, on the other hand, looked torn, his loyalty stretched between what he believed was right and the duty he had once sworn to her father.

Elena faced her father again, her jaw tightening. "And if I refuse?"

His lips curved into something that was almost pity. "Then, my dear, you will be hunted. You have too much value for them to let you go."

Noah scoffed. "And I assume you're the lesser evil here?"

Her father leaned back, his fingers steepled together. "I don't claim to be a saint, Noah. But I know the devils we are up against. You, of all people, should understand that."

Ethan spoke then, his voice firm. "If you truly cared about Elena's safety, you wouldn't force her into this decision."

Her father's gaze flicked to him. "And yet, Ethan, you were perfectly content to lie to her, weren't you?"

Ethan's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

Elena took a deep breath, gathering the storm inside her. "I won't be your leverage. I won't be anyone's."

Her father sighed, as if disappointed but unsurprised. "Then you leave me no choice."

Before she could react, the doors behind them burst open. A dozen armed men flooded in, their guns raised, their eyes cold.

Noah moved instantly, positioning himself between Elena and the threat. Ethan did the same.

Her father stood, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit. "I had hoped you would see reason, Elena. But if you insist on defying me—" his eyes darkened "—then I can no longer afford to be gentle."

Elena's blood ran cold.

There was no safe haven left.

She was officially at war.

---

The room exploded into chaos.

Noah was the first to strike. With a sharp twist, he disarmed the nearest guard, flipping the gun into his own hands. Before the others could react, he fired—clean, precise shots that sent two men crumpling to the ground.

Ethan was right behind him, his fists landing brutal blows. The momentary distraction was enough for Elena to break free, her instincts screaming at her to run. But she didn't. Not yet.

She turned to her father, whose expression remained eerily calm despite the gunfire.

"You don't have to do this," she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline racing through her veins.

He merely shook his head. "You still don't understand, do you? This isn't about choice anymore, Elena."

A shot rang out, missing her by inches as Ethan yanked her behind him.

"Time to go!" he growled.

Noah was already moving, taking down the last guard standing in their path. He grabbed Elena's wrist, his grip tight as he pulled her toward the door. Ethan covered their exit, his own weapon now in hand.

The hall outside was no safer. More guards were flooding in, blocking their escape routes.

"Back stairs!" Noah barked, dragging her toward the narrow passageway he had no doubt memorized in advance.

They ran, boots pounding against the polished floor. Gunshots echoed behind them, but they didn't stop. Couldn't stop.

Elena's heart pounded as they reached the emergency exit. Ethan shoved the door open, revealing the night beyond—freedom just within reach.

But then—

A familiar, chilling voice called out.

"You can run, my dear."

Elena froze.

Her father stood at the top of the stairs, his silhouette framed against the dim hallway light.

"But you can't hide."

Noah didn't hesitate. He pulled her forward, into the night.

And Elena knew—this wasn't over.

Not even close.

--

Chapter 30: Nowhere is Safe

The cold night air bit into Elena's skin as she sprinted down the gravel path, her pulse thundering in her ears. Noah's grip on her wrist was firm, unrelenting, as he pulled her toward the waiting black SUV at the far end of the driveway. Ethan ran beside them, glancing back every few seconds, his jaw tight with tension.

Behind them, the mansion was alive with chaos—guards shouting, engines roaring to life, the sharp crack of gunfire splitting the silence.

Noah shoved her into the backseat. "Drive!" he barked at the man behind the wheel.

The SUV tore down the driveway, tires skidding as it hit the main road. Elena pressed a hand to her racing heart, her breaths shallow. Her father's voice still echoed in her head—calm, chilling, full of warning.

"You can run, my dear, but you can't hide."

She shivered.

"Where are we going?" she asked, forcing her voice to stay steady.

Noah didn't answer immediately. He was reloading his gun, his expression grim. Ethan, sitting beside her, exhaled sharply. "Somewhere safe."

Elena let out a bitter laugh. "Safe? My father just declared war, and you think we can find safety?"

Noah's gaze snapped to hers, steel and fire burning beneath his cold exterior. "We don't have a choice."

The SUV weaved through darkened streets, moving fast, but not fast enough. Headlights appeared in the rearview mirror—a convoy of black vehicles gaining on them.

"They're coming," the driver muttered.

Ethan cursed under his breath. "We need to lose them."

Noah's eyes flashed with ruthless determination. "Then hold on."

He yanked open the sunroof, climbed halfway out, and with practiced precision, fired three shots. One of the pursuing vehicles swerved violently, its tires blown out, sending it crashing into a streetlamp.

Elena clenched her fists, fear and adrenaline warring inside her. This was real. Too real.

She turned to Ethan. "Tell me the truth. If we stop running, what happens?"

Ethan hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke. "Your father won't stop until he has you back."

She swallowed hard. "And Noah?"

Noah ducked back into the SUV, reloading. "Let's just say, your father and I have unfinished business."

A chill ran down her spine. She wasn't just caught between two men anymore.

She was caught in a war.

And this time, she didn't know if she'd survive it.

---

See you in the next chapter....