The Man of My Prayers (Fitzmael 3) - COMPLETED

19: Five Words Amidst The Chaos

ADORN ZHARICK VALE

"PLEASE HURRY... I can't stop your sister," Franco said on the other end of the line before ending the call. He looked at me again. "Give me one," he said, extending his hand.

I had just finished putting the silencer on the gun. "What?!"

"I said give me a gun..."

I immediately shook my head. "No!"

"Zius taught me how to use weapons."

"This isn't a practical exam to see if you learned anything from your training."

"I won't know if I've learned anything unless I use my skills in situations like this. We're in this together."

I sighed heavily, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. "You're stubborn!" I muttered under my breath. Despite everything, I handed him a gun and let him use it.

The two bodyguards in front of us jumped out of the car, guns firing at the vehicle ahead. One of them tossed a grenade in front, while the other did the same behind us—explosions rocked the air.

I reached for the door, but it was locked. "Hey!" I yelled at the bodyguard outside. "Open this!" I yanked at the handle and slammed the window with all my strength, but it wouldn't budge. My heart was racing. "You're gonna get yourself killed!" I shouted at the bodyguard standing by my door. The urgency was suffocating. The chaos around us, the gunfire, the explosions—it was all closing in.

"This is our job!" he shouted at me. "We're ready to die!"

I immediately shook my head. "No! Please! Let me help all of you!" My mouth went dry when I saw one of the bodyguards get hit in the arm. In a burst of frustration, I slammed my fist against the window, the sound of impact barely registering against the chaos outside.
I turned to Franco.

His hands were shaking as he took my gun and began unloading the bullets, then did the same with his own while crouched down. The tremble in his hands made my chest tighten.

"F-Franco..."

After he finished unloading the guns, he placed them back in the box and shoved it under our seat.

"I'm so sorry..." I gently cupped his face, my heart heavy. "I keep making you worry."

He looked at me, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "How many times are you going to say sorry to me?" he said, his voice thick with emotion. "What about me? What if you're gone?"

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. "I didn't realize how selfish my decision was. I never thought about how it would hurt you..."

"I know you're brave and strong, but you need to realize it's not just ourselves we're protecting. We're also protecting our child. We can't stay out front when there's a war going on. I know you're used to protecting everyone, but for once, let everyone protect you..."

"I get it now. Thank you for making me see that."

I flinched as a rapid series of gunshots rang out. My eyes snapped to the window, where I saw Hunter, Imil, and Ren fighting outside. Panic gripped me, but I quickly turned back to Franco.

"Can I be your husband?" he asked softly, his voice almost a whisper as he held out a ring in his hand.

I furrowed my brow, completely caught off guard. "What? Were you planning to propose?"

He nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I've been carrying this ring with me for a while, just waiting for the right moment. I think now is the time..." His smile grew, a mix of nervousness and hope on his face. "Attorney, Adorn, my love... will you marry me?"