Then I hear it.
“GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HER!”
Luca.
Heeruptsinto the room like hell given form, gun raised, his face carved from pure fury. His eyes land on me, and something snaps inside him.
He rushes to my side while Viktor's busy. “Erin,” he breathes, dropping to his knees, hands already working at the knots around my wrists. “Jesus, baby. Are you hurt?”
I sob from sheer relief. My whole body shakes. “You came,” I whisper. “You really came.”
“I told you I’d protect you,” he growls, voice ragged as he yanks the rope free. “I’ll always come for you.”
And then he pulls me into his arms, holding me like I’m the most precious thing in the world.
His arms wrap around me so tightly I can barely breathe, but I don’t want space. I don’t want distance. I want the crush of his chest against mine, the heat of his skin, the scent of his cologne, clean, leather, Luca.
My fists clutch at his shirt like a lifeline, like if I let go even for a second, the horror might drag me back under.
He rocks me gently, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other pressed to my spine like he’s physically holding me together.
My sobs shake us both, and he doesn’t flinch. He just keeps whispering my name, over and over, like it’s an oath.
And in that moment, I believe it.
I believe he would tear the world apart for me.
For the first time since this nightmare started, I know I’m safe.
But the nightmare isn't over. I know the second Luca's gaze locks with Viktor's.
His arms tighten around me before he gently sets me down on the floor, standing slowly—too slowly—like a storm gathering breath. His gun stays at his side, unused. His voice is low. Controlled.
Anddeadly.
“You’ve got about three seconds to start praying,” he says, eyes locked on Viktor like a predator cornering prey. “Because if you don’t tell me where the rest of the girls are, I’m not just going to kill you. I’m going tounmakeyou,” he roars.
Viktor laughs. Cold and freezing. A sound from hell itself. "I'd like to see you try, boy."
Luca cocks his gun with a deafening click. “So be it."
The barrel rises.
And that’s when the lights cut out.
12
LUCA
The lights go out. Everything turns to black.
I don’t hesitate. I lunge for Erin, wrapping my body around hers and pressing her against the pillar behind us.
She lets out a broken gasp, breath hitching in fear, her entire body trembling. I feel the rapid, panicked rise and fall of her chest against mine. She’s so small. Too still. But she’s breathing.
She’s alive. I willkeepher that way.
My gun is already in my hand, the weight a brutal comfort. My pulse drums in my ears, syncing with every beat of tension building around us.
