Rico paces in front of us, his tattooed arms flexing as he checks his phone, that sleazy grin twisting into something uglier under the flickering fluorescent lights. The other two goons lean against the wall, guns tucked in their belts like casual accessories. Rico stops, crouches down to our level, his breath sour with cheap beer.
"Comfy, ladies?" he sneers, eyes raking over me like I'm merchandise. "Bet you're wondering why a rockstar like me's slumming it with kidnappings."
Viola whimpers beside me, pressing closer. I glare at him, forcing steel into my voice despite the tremor. "Enlighten us, asshole."
His laugh is sharp, barking. "Smart mouth. Derek wanted you. Yeah, Derek's the brains—or what's left of 'em. Me? I'm in it for the payout. Your ex promised me fifty grand to help snag you. Said you'd ruined his life or some shit. But hey, I needed the cash—band's tanking, van's 'broken'—thanks to my little sabotage. Viola here was the perfect bait. She trusted me, the dumb bitch."
Viola gasps, fresh tears streaming. "You... you lied? The van, the tour?—"
"Shut up," Rico snaps, backhanding the air near her face. She flinches, and rage explodes in my chest—protective, fierce. I lunge forward as much as the ties allow, spitting at his feet.
"You're pathetic," I hiss, fear coiling tighter but anger giving me fire. "Using my sister? You'll rot for this."
He stands, chuckling. "Big talk from a half-naked Barbie doll. Wait 'til Derek gets here. He's got plans for you—reboot your brand, alright. Straight to the bottom."
The warehouse door creaks open then, a sliver of night spilling in. Derek Voss strides through, looking every bit the washed-up photographer he is—disheveled hair, rumpled jacket, eyes wild with a mix of triumph and madness. My stomach drops. The man who once whispered sweet nothings while snapping my nudes, only to sell them out when I dumped his cheating ass. Seeing him now, fear spikes hard but it's laced with betrayal's bitter sting. Upset doesn't cover it… I'm furious, heartbroken at the ghost of what I thought we had.
"Indigo," he drawls, stepping closer, his gaze devouring me. "Miss me? You look... exposed. Fitting, after what you did to me."
I swallow bile, holding Viola tighter. "WhatIdid? You leaked my photos, you psycho. Ruined my career for months. This is your revenge? Kidnapping? You're sicker than I thought."
He kneels, too close, his cologne choking me. "Revenge? Baby, this is justice. You fired me as your photographer, got that restraining order, tanked my rep. I couldn't book a gig after. But you? You rise from the ashes with this Valentine bullshit, all hearts and lace. Nah. I'm ending that. We'll film a little 'confession' video— you admitting you staged the leaks for publicity. Then we sell you and your sis to some interested parties. Human trafficking's lucrative. You'll disappear, brand and all."
Terror crashes over me like ice water. My breath shortens as my vision blurs at the edges. Disappear? No. Not with Viola. Not when I've just found something real with Mack. Tears burn my eyes, but I blink them back, upset turning to raw hatred. "You're delusional. Mack will find us. He'll kill you."
Derek laughs, standing. "Your bodyguard boyfriend? He's probably bleeding out in that chaos we caused. Rico, get 'em up. Time to move. The private jet's waiting."
Rico hauls Viola to her feet; the other thug grabs me, his grip bruising. I struggle, kicking, but it's futile. Fear chokes me now. I feel paralyzed.Mack, where are you? I need you. I love you. Please?—
The door blasts open with a deafening crack—wood splintering, hinges screaming. A loud bang echoes, blinding light and smoke filling the space.
What the hell?
My ears ring, eyes watering as shadows erupt into the warehouse. Men in black tactical gear, guns raised, shout commands to each other.
"Down! Hands up!"
Chaos explodes as gunfire cracks. Rico dives for cover while his goons fire back. Viola screams, dropping to the floor with me as bullets whine overhead. Through the haze, I spot him—Mack, leading the charge, his face a mask of lethal focus. My heart leaps, love and relief flooding me so hard I sob.
Derek whirls, pulling a pistol from his jacket, aiming at Mack. "You!"
Time slows. Horror grips me. No, not him. But Mack's faster. He aims his gun and squeezes the trigger. Derek jerks, crumpling to the ground with a guttural cry, blood blooming on his shoulder.
"Clear!" someone yells. The team swarms. Rico and the thugs are subdued, cuffed, and dragged away. Strong hands lift me up. Mack's there, cutting my ties, pulling me into his chest. His arms wrap around me like home, solid and safe.
"Indigo," he breathes, voice breaking. "God, I thought?—"
"I'm okay," I whisper, clinging to him, tears soaking his vest. Viola's beside us, another operator freeing her, wrapping her in a blanket. She's safe. We're safe.
He pulls back, and cups my face. His eyes are fierce with emotion. "I love you."
My heart soars. "I love you too, Mack. So much."
He kisses me then. It’s desperate, claiming, and full of promise. The warehouse fades, the chaos a distant hum. Later, statements, hospitals, but for now? This.
HEA? Ours starts here. Him, me, forever. No more enemies—just lovers.
EPILOGUE
