Elena’s grip on Alex tightens, making him whimper. He struggles weakly against Elena’s grip, his little face streaked with tears. A dirty cloth is shoved in his mouth, muffling his cries. His blue eyes, so much like his father’s, are wide with terror as they lock onto mine.
Motherfucker. She’s gonna pay for this. Every goddamn breath left in her body, I’ll make her regret.
I take a step forward, every muscle in my body coiled tight. “Let him go, you psychotic bitch,” I snarl.
Elena’s face contorts with fury. She shifts Alex in her arms, using him as a human shield. “One more step and I’ll slit his throat,” she spits, pressing a knife against Alex’s neck.
My heart’s pounding so hard I can barely hear over the rush of blood in my ears. This is all wrong. Elena’s losing control and that makes her more dangerous than ever.
Another explosion rocks the building, closer this time. Elena’s eyes dart to the window, a flicker of panic breaking through her rage.
“It’s over, Elena,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Whatever plan you had? It’s going to shit right now. Let Alex go, and maybe you’ll get out of this alive.”
Her laugh is sharp, bordering on hysterical. “You think I’m afraid of you? Of them?” She presses the knife harder against Alex’s throat. “I still have all the cards, Wren. And if I’m going down, I’m taking this little bastard with me.”
Elena laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. She shifts Alex in her arms, and I see him wince. My vision goes red.
I can’t take it anymore. The sight of my son in pain, terrified, it’s too much. I slowly raise my hands, the gun suddenly feeling like it weighs a ton.
“Look,” I say, my voice cracking. “You can take me. Take me instead. Just… just let him go.” I’m holding onto my tears by a thread, but I don’t care how weak I look. All that matters is Alex.
Another explosion rocks the building, closer this time. Plaster dust rains down, coating Alex’s dark hair white. He whimpers through the gag, his tiny body trembling.
“Shh, shh,” Elena coos mockingly, pressing the cloth tighter against Alex’s mouth. “Mommy’s here now. Isn’t that nice?”
My hands shake with rage and fear. “I swear to God, Elena, if you hurt one hair on his head—”
“You’ll what?” she snaps, all pretense of calm vanishing. She presses the knife to Alex’s throat, and I feel my world tilt on its axis. “This little brat already took a chunk out of me. Maybe I should return the favor.”
Alex’s eyes meet mine, pleading, terrified. Tears stream down his chubby cheeks, soaking into the gag. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life.
“What do you want?” I ask, my voice cracking. “Just… just tell me what you want. Please.”
Elena’s lips curl into a cruel smile, blood from her bitten ear staining her collar.
God.No. No.
“What I’ve always wanted, darling. D’s head on a platter. And you’re going to deliver it to me.”
My stomach churns, bile rising in my throat. Fuck. This bitch is insane.
“You’re out of your goddamn mind,” I spit, my voice shaking with rage. “D’s not even here. Let Alex go, and maybe you’ll get out of this shit show alive.”
Elena’s laugh is sharp, bordering on hysterical. She shifts Alex in her arms, pressing the knife harder against his throat. A thin line of blood appears, and my world narrows to that single crimson drop.
“Okay! Okay,” I choke out, my hands trembling as I reach for my phone. “Just… just don’t hurt him. Please.”
Elena’s eyes gleam with triumph as I dial, praying to a god I stopped believing in years ago. The phone rings once, twice—
And then the world explodes.
The wall behind Elena disintegrates in a hail of gunfire and debris. She stumbles, her grip on Alex loosening for just a split second.
I don’t hesitate. I lunge forward, my body moving on pure instinct. My shoulder slams into Elena’s gut, and I feel Alex slip free as we hit the ground.
We roll across the floor, a tangle of limbs and fury. Her knife flashes, slicing across my cheek. I barely feel it. All I can think about is Alex.
I slam my forehead into Elena’s face, feeling cartilage crunch. She howls in pain, blood gushing from her broken nose.
