THE TEMPTRESS

||Indecisive||

•STEPHANIE•

I glanced out the window, spotting several black SUVs pulling up behind the warehouse.

Looks like they're pretty desperate to rescue Luca, bringing in a whole squad. He clearly didn't follow my instructions to come alone, but I saw that coming.

That's why I had a backup plan to keep them at bay if they tried to mess with my plans for Luca, which, of course, they would.

I let the curtain drop and checked my gun's chamber before slipping it into my jeans' waistband.

Crouching down, I grabbed the remote from the duffel bag at my feet, then strolled to the other side of the warehouse for a better view.

AJ led his armed crew around the back, readying their weapons. I leaned against the wall, watching him signal for the others to spread out.

With the remote in hand, my finger hovered over the red button. I'd rigged this part of the warehouse with bombs, anticipating their attempt to break in.

They'd definitely try to find a way in, so I held the remote, ready to blow them all to bits at the slightest wrong move.

One guy aimed his gun to scan the second floor, and I quickly hid against the wall. A walkie-talkie screeched to life, and AJ's voice came through.

"We're in position," he said, holding the walkie to his face.

"Wait for my signal," Kaden's voice echoed, making my breath hitch. "Remember what I said; do not hurt her, I want her alive."

I let out a slow sigh. Despite everything going on, he still wanted to keep me alive. I'm about to kill his father, yet he doesn't want me hurt?

Gritting my teeth, I narrowed my gaze on the wall. Kaden's problem was falling too soon, becoming weak, and seeing anything he cared about as a weakness.

Including love.

Yet I find myself in the same boat, but I'm determined to see things through from the beginning. I'm on a mission to bring justice to my family, and I've already come too far to turn back now.

I strolled back to the other side of the second floor, where I had been standing earlier, observing Luca being held hostage below. However, this time, he wasn't alone.

Kaden stood just a few feet away near the entrance, his gun raised as he cautiously approached his father, keeping an eye on his surroundings.

I knelt down, picked up my crossbow, and rested it on the wooden railing in front of me. Tilting my head to the side and closing one eye, I aimed the crossbow at Kaden while waiting.

"Dad," he called out to Luca.

I shifted the crossbow's aim towards Luca, who slowly raised his head and saw Kaden approaching.

"No..." he croaked. I pointed the crossbow back at Kaden.

"Are you alright?" Kaden asked his father.

"No... no! Get out of here! Go!" Luca shouted frantically, and that was my signal.

I pulled the trigger, and the arrow flew towards Kaden, hitting him in the shoulder. He groaned in pain, dropping to both knees with the arrow protruding from his body.

"Noooo!" Luca screamed, struggling to free himself from the chair.

I stood up when I heard a loud commotion from the other side of the warehouse. I turned around and saw Kaden's men breaking in, marching toward us.

I grabbed the remote and pressed the red button. An explosion rocked the room, sending them flying from the impact.

I drew my gun from my jeans and wasted no time running down the staircase towards Luca.