The silence on the line was deafening.
“Mark.”
Static crackled.
Muffled footfalls.
The low, metallic clicks of the weapons' safeties being released echoed in the tense silence.
A door creaked open.
Glass crunched under boots.
Theo’s voice was low. “Moving in. It’s dark. Smells like oil and mold. Be advised—there’s fresh blood on the floor.”
A growl tore through Alexandros’s throat.
He wanted to rip through the walls. To storm the warehouse himself. To pull her from that hell and carry her home. Instead, he watched the live feed coming in from the front of the half-dozen men scouring the warehouse.
Theo swept the area, moving in a slow, steady, graceful movement that spoke of his years in Special Ops.
Theo swung around, his weapon at the ready.
A sound. Muffled. Desperate.
“Movement. First floor. East corner,” one of the team whispered. “I see her—damn, she’s running!”
Alexandros’s heart exploded in his chest.
Theo’s voice surged. “Dani! Hold your ground!”
Another voice. A scream. Hers.
“Alexandros! Alexandros, help me!”
Gunfire erupted. Shouts followed. Glass shattered. Boots slammed against metal stairs.
Theo called out, “I’ve got her! I’ve got her!”
Alexandros sank into the chair, his hand trembling over his mouth as Dani’s sobs tore through the feed. The body cam caught the blood on her face, her clothes.
“Alexandros—he said… he said he came back—please! Don’t let him get me again. Please, Alexandros?—”
“You’re safe,” Theo said, his voice a soothing anchor. “I’ve got you. You’re going home. He’ll never touch you again.”
Alexandros’s chest heaved. He pressed a hand against it like he could hold his heart together.
“I want Alexandros—” Dani gasped through tears. “I want him—please—take me to him.”
“You will see him. I promise. You’re safe. Alexandros is waiting. Just hold on.”
A sob burst from her so raw it split Alexandros open.
Alexandros stiffened when he heard the change in Theo’s voice.
It was sharper—tense.
“We need a medic. Stat!”
