When Exes Become Executioners

The Standoff

The air was thick with gunpowder, the echoes of the sniper's shot still ringing in Olivia's ears. She stayed low, pressed against the floor as Damon's protective embrace shielded her from the incoming fire.

Another shot ricocheted off the far wall. The window was already shattered, but they weren't alone.

Cassia was already moving—swift, calculating, her gun trained on the west roof.

"Stay down," she snapped, then disappeared through the hall.

Olivia's pulse raced, but she turned to Damon. His eyes were sharp, focused. He wasn't just watching for an enemy. He was waiting.

"Damon," she breathed. "Jace—he's here."

"I know."

He stood, hand still on her shoulder, keeping her grounded in the chaos.

"Are you sure?" Olivia asked, her voice steady but the edge of fear threading through it.

"He never lets me forget he's alive," Damon answered, voice cold.

Jace's Return

Jace Wolfe stepped out of the shadows on the rooftop, a sniper rifle in hand. His eyes were as cold as ever, but there was a fire in them now—a hunger.

He had never forgiven Olivia for leaving him. For choosing Damon.

And now, the world was his weapon.

"I warned you, Olivia," Jace's voice crackled through the comms system. "You should've stayed mine."

Damon's hand went to his sidearm. Olivia's heart pounded, her mind racing.

"I'll be damned if you ruin this," Damon growled.

But Jace wasn't here for Damon. He was here for Olivia. His voice came through the comm again.

"Tell Damon to get out of the way, or I'll put a bullet through you both."

Olivia felt the familiar wave of anger. She stood, a sudden surge of fire within her.

"No, Jace. You'll kill me after I make you regret every step you took to get here."

The Confrontation

Cassia was the first to reach the roof, but she was no match for Jace. He had the advantage of years of experience, and a cold ruthlessness that made him unpredictable.

Olivia followed behind, pulling Damon with her toward the emergency stairwell. But the moment they stepped outside, Jace was there—standing in the doorway like a shadow.

"Did you really think you could hide from me?" Jace sneered.

Damon's hand was steady on his gun, but it wasn't the weapon in his grip that mattered. It was the resolve in his eyes.

"I'm not hiding," Damon said, his voice low but dangerous. "And I won't let you take her."

Jace's laugh was empty, cruel. "You think you can protect her? She's mine, Damon. She always has been."

Olivia stood tall, defiant. "You lost me the moment you put a price on my soul. I chose him, Jace. And I'll never be yours again."

Jace's eyes narrowed, fury flashing behind them.

The Shot That Changes Everything

A silence stretched between them. Then Jace's hand moved to the trigger of his sniper rifle.

Olivia's heart stopped.

"Damon—"

But before she could finish, a loud shot rang out. Not from Jace's rifle, but from somewhere behind them.

The bullet tore through Jace's shoulder, knocking him off balance. He fell, scrambling, eyes wide with shock.

Cassia stood in the doorway, her gun still raised.

"Guess I'm not entirely on your side, Jace," she said, her voice sweet with venom.

Damon rushed forward, pulling Olivia out of harm's way as Jace stumbled to his feet, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

"Bitch!" Jace screamed, his face twisted in rage.

Cassia didn't flinch. "Keep your distance, Jace. Or next time, it won't be a warning shot."

Damon's Promise

Damon turned to Olivia, gripping her arm tightly. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, breath shallow.

"I'm fine," she said, but her gaze was fixed on Jace. "This isn't over, Damon. He won't stop until I'm his."

Damon's eyes hardened. "Then we'll make sure he knows just how much of a mistake that is."

He looked at Cassia, who lowered her gun with a satisfied smirk. "You're going to regret that decision, Jace."

Jace sneered but didn't speak, instead backing away toward the stairwell.

"I'm not finished, Olivia," he muttered, disappearing into the night.

The Aftermath

Olivia stood with Damon in the aftermath, the storm outside reflecting the chaos inside her heart.

"Is it over?" she whispered.

"Not even close," Damon replied. "But we are."

He pulled her close, kissing her fiercely, as if the world could end at that moment, and he wouldn't care. He would face it all—Jace, the empire, even his own demons—if it meant keeping her in his arms.

"I'm not leaving you," he whispered.

And this time, Olivia believed him.