Chapter 17- A Price To Pay

The sound of the gunshot echoed in Anna's mind, loud and unrelenting, even as everything else blurred around her. Her ears rang, her vision dimmed, and for a moment, she thought she was the one who had been hit. She felt nothing but Jaden's grip on her arm, his hand strong and unyielding as he yanked her and Lilly behind an overturned table.

"Stay down!" Jaden barked, his voice cutting through the ringing in her ears. His body moved instinctively, placing himself between Anna and the source of danger. She blinked rapidly, her mind struggling to catch up with the chaos erupting around her.

Lilly was sobbing against Anna's chest, her tiny hands clutching at her sister's dress. Anna held her close, her arms trembling but firm. “It’s okay, Lilly,” she whispered, though her voice cracked. “I’ve got you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Jaden crouched low, his sharp eyes scanning the room with deadly precision. His entire demeanor had shifted—gone was the polished, composed businessman. What knelt before her now was a predator, every muscle in his body taut with restrained violence.

“Anna,” he said without looking at her, his tone dangerously calm. “Stay here. Do not move unless I tell you. Understand?”

“No!” she hissed, panic lacing her words. “You can’t just—”

“Anna!” He whipped his head around, his dark eyes burning with an intensity that froze her. “I’ll handle this. Keep Lilly safe.”

And then he was gone, moving with startling speed and precision as he disappeared into the chaos.

Anna’s heart raced as she clutched Lilly tighter, her breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. She peered over the edge of the table, her eyes scanning the room for Jaden. Guests were still screaming, some attempting to flee while others cowered behind whatever cover they could find. The once-beautiful reception hall was now a war zone.

She spotted him near the entrance, his broad frame blending into the shadows. He moved like a man who had done this before, his every step calculated, his focus unbreakable.

Anna’s mind raced. Who would do this? Why? She thought back to Jaden’s world—a place she didn’t fully understand but knew was filled with power, enemies, and dangerous games. Was this about him? About them?

Her thoughts were interrupted by another gunshot, this one louder and closer. Anna flinched, her arms tightening around Lilly as she ducked further behind the table. She could feel Lilly trembling against her, her sobs muffled by Anna’s dress.

“It’s okay, baby,” Anna whispered, her voice soft but firm. “We’re going to be okay. Jaden’s going to fix this.”

She prayed she was telling the truth.

Another sound reached her ears—a low, guttural groan followed by a heavy thud. Anna peeked around the table, her breath hitching as she saw a man in black crumple to the floor, a gun slipping from his hand.

Jaden stood over him, his face cold and unyielding. Blood splattered his once-pristine tuxedo, but he didn’t seem to notice. He bent down, retrieving the man’s gun before turning his attention to the balcony where the sniper had been.

Anna’s stomach churned as she watched him. There was no hesitation in his movements, no fear in his eyes. He looked like a man who had done this before—a man who knew exactly how to kill.

Her chest tightened. Who was Jaden? The question gnawed at her, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. Another shot rang out, this one shattering a nearby vase. Shards of glass rained down on Anna and Lilly, and she shielded her sister with her body.

“Anna!” Jaden’s voice roared across the room. “Stay down!”

She didn’t need to be told twice.

Jaden moved again, this time toward the stairs leading to the balcony. He was relentless, his steps quick and silent as he climbed. Anna could see the sniper now—a masked figure who was adjusting their aim, clearly intending to take Jaden out.

“Jaden, no!” Anna screamed, her voice raw with fear.

But he didn’t stop. He reached the top of the stairs just as the sniper fired. Jaden ducked, the bullet whizzing past his head and embedding itself in the wall. In one swift motion, he raised the gun he’d taken and fired.

The sniper dropped instantly, their body crumpling like a puppet with its strings cut.

The room fell silent, save for the faint hum of tension lingering in the air. Anna could hear her own heartbeat, loud and erratic, as she stared at Jaden. He stood on the balcony, his chest heaving, the gun still clenched in his hand.

Slowly, he turned to face her, his dark eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then the sound of sirens broke the silence, growing louder as they approached the building. The police were here.

Jaden descended the stairs, his movements slow and deliberate. When he reached Anna, he crouched down beside her, his expression unreadable as he looked at Lilly.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice almost gentle.

Anna shook her head, her throat too tight to speak. Lilly didn’t respond, her face buried against Anna’s chest.

Jaden reached out, his hand brushing against Anna’s cheek. “It’s over,” he said, his tone steady. “You’re safe now.”

But as Anna looked into his eyes, she knew it wasn’t over. Not really. This was just the beginning of something far more dangerous than she’d ever imagined.

The sirens grew louder, and Anna could see the flashing lights through the shattered windows. The authorities would come, they’d ask questions, and they’d want answers.

But Anna didn’t have any.

All she had was the image of Jaden—calm, composed, and covered in blood.

“Who were they?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jaden’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. Then he stood, offering her his hand.

“People who made a mistake,” he said simply.

Anna stared at him, her mind racing with questions she wasn’t sure she wanted answers to. Reluctantly, she took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet.

Jaden turned to the approaching officers, his expression once again the picture of control. As he spoke to them, answering their questions with practiced ease.

As Anna watched Jaden shake hands with the officers, his bloodied tuxedo and calm demeanor at odds with the chaos around them, a chilling realization gripped her. This wasn’t just his world—it was hers now, too. She tightened her hold on Lilly, the weight of her choice settling heavily in her chest.

Six months, she thought, her resolve hardening. I just have to survive this marriage for six months. But as Jaden turned to her, his dark eyes promising both protection and destruction, Anna knew—survival wouldn’t come without a cost.