HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 24

The Fall of Sinclaire

Lucas fired desperately at the approaching enemy, gasping for breath. "Lia!" he shouted, barely audible amidst the gunfire and explosions. Struggling to reload behind a crumbling wall, he whispered, "Where are you?" Shadows and flashes were all he could see, the darkness pierced by relentless gunfire and chaos.

Lia's cry echoed faintly through the tumult. Gripping his gun tighter, Lucas strained to locate her amidst the frenzy. Racing from cover, he fired at every enemy in his path. "I won't leave you, Lia," he vowed, his voice edged with a fierce determination.

Rounding a corner, Lucas's heart lurched as he spotted Sinclaire's men forcing Lia into a van. She fought desperately, her pale face and terrified eyes standing out in stark contrast to the mayhem. "Lucas!" She cried a frantic appeal amid the din.

His world narrowed to just one goal: reaching her. His shots scattered Sinclaire's soldiers, driving them into cover, but the odds overwhelmed him. "I have to get to her," he muttered fiercely, pushing himself harder, refusing to give in to fear.

Suddenly, an explosion shook the ground, throwing Lucas off his feet. His vision blurred as he struggled to stay conscious. He could only hopelessly watch as the van doors slammed shut, locking Lia inside. "No!" he screamed, staggering to his feet as the vehicle sped off into the night.

"Lia, this isn't over," Lucas choked out, fists clenching the dirt beneath him as he fired a final, futile shot after the disappearing vehicle. The weight of failure pressed down on him, but he couldn't give up. Not now.

His radio crackled to life. Major Ocampo's voice cut through the static. "Lucas, we need you back here. We're regrouping for a counterattack."

Lucas's heart pounded in his chest, torn between charging after Lia and regrouping with the others. He knew Major Ocampo was right—rushing in blindly would be suicide. "Major, they've taken her," he responded, voice raw. "I need to save her."

"We will, Lucas," Ocampo reassured. "But we need a plan. Get back here now."

Taking a deep breath, Lucas steadied himself. He forced the rising panic down, focusing on what needed to be done. "On my way," he replied, voice steadier now despite the storm of emotions inside him.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Lucas turned and sprinted toward the rendezvous point, determination tightening his grip on his weapon. "Hold on, Lia. I'm coming for you."

***

Fear clutched at Lia's heart as they dragged her toward the van, but she refused to give in. "Lucas," she whispered, voice trembling. "Please, find me."

Exhaustion weighed on her as the vehicle drove away. But even as sleep pulled at her, she clung to one thought: Lucas will come for me. "You won't abandon me," she whispered, her eyes closing. "I know you won't."

***

The room was dark and cold when Lia awoke, her wrists bound tightly to a chair. Pain throbbed in her temples. Blinking through the darkness, she struggled to focus. Testing the ropes around her wrists, she winced as they bit into her skin. "What happened?" she whispered hoarsely.

Fragments of memory returned—Lucas's desperate fight, the explosion, being dragged away. Her heart clenched, but fear quickly morphed into resolve. Lucas will find me, she reminded herself. He always did.

The door creaked open, casting a dim light into the room. Sinclaire entered, his face twisted in a smug grin. "Miss Santos," he greeted her, voice dripping with false politeness. "I trust you're comfortable?"

Lia glared at him, refusing to show any fear. "What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice steady despite her racing pulse.

Sinclaire chuckled, stepping closer. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want," he said, leaning down so their faces were inches apart. "Information. Cooperate, and things might not be so unpleasant for you."

"You'll get nothing from me," Lia spat, her disgust searing her eyes.

Sinclaire wiped his brow with a handkerchief, his smile fading. "We'll see how long that defiance lasts," Coldly, he turned and left, leaving her in darkness again.

Lia's mind raced. I need to get out of here. She scanned the room for anything that could help her escape. She couldn't wait for Lucas to save her—she had to find a way out herself.

***

Back at the command center, Lucas arrived breathless, joining Major Ocampo and the rest of the team. "Lucas," Ocampo said, looking up from a map. "We've located Lia. She's being held at a facility outside the city."

Lucas's heart leaped. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's move."

"Hold on," Ocampo warned, gripping Lucas's arm. "We can't rush in blind. Sinclaire will be expecting that."

Lucas clenched his fists, every fiber of his being screaming to charge ahead. But he knew Ocampo was right. "Alright," he said, forcing himself to calm down. "What's the plan?"

Ocampo laid it out: a diversionary attack to draw Sinclaire's forces away while a smaller team infiltrated the facility. Lucas listened, his thoughts racing ahead to the moment he'd have Lia safe again. "We're ready when you are," Ocampo finished, looking Lucas dead in the eye.

Lucas nodded, determination hardening his features. "Let's do this."

***

Inside the facility, Lia fought against her restraints with renewed vigor. Using a sharp edge she'd found on the floor, she managed to loosen the ropes around her wrists. "Almost there," she whispered, heart racing.

Just as the rope finally gave way, the door swung open. Two guards entered, grabbing her roughly by the arms. "Time to move," one barked, pulling her to her feet.

Lia's pulse quickened. Wait for the right moment. As they led her down the dimly lit corridor, her mind worked furiously, mentally mapping the facility. Lucas, hurry. She prayed he was on his way.

They shoved her into a room filled with monitors and equipment. Sinclaire stood in the center, barking orders to his men. "Prepare for interference," he said sharply. "They'll come for her."

Lia knew she had to act fast. When Sinclaire turned his back, she lunged, catching the guards off guard. With the loosened rope, she struck, adrenaline surging through her.

Chaos erupted. Lia fought with everything she had, her sole focus on surviving. "For Lucas," she whispered through gritted teeth as she grappled with the guards.

Suddenly, an explosion rocked the facility. The walls trembled, alarms blaring as the lights flickered. "Lucas!" Lia cried, her heart leaping with hope.

Seizing the momentary distraction, she broke free and sprinted for the exit, her legs pumping furiously. Please, let this be it.

Outside, a squad of soldiers approached, and at their forefront—Lucas. His eyes locked on hers, filled with relief. "Lia!" he called, rushing toward her.

She collapsed into his arms, her breath coming in gasps. "I knew you'd come," she whispered, clinging to him.

"I promised," Lucas muttered, kissing her forehead. "I always keep my promises."

Footsteps interrupted their moment. "We have to go!" Major Ocampo shouted, rallying the troops. "Move out!"

After one last look, Lucas and Lia joined the group and focused on the goal. "Let's finish this," Lucas said, his grip tightening on Lia's hand as they prepared for the final confrontation.