FOREVER MINE

C H A P T E R 28

ELIJAH

Angela stares at me, eyes wide and brimming with unshed tears. My head is pounding, and it feels like I'm about to collapse at any moment. It took Nikolai's men a while to actually knock me out because even though I wanted them to, I wasn't going to make it easy for them either.

Lorenzo didn't exactly love the plan but this was the only way to really put this to an end. Besides, what's better than destroying an enemy from right at the source.

Nikolai's guard is down now that he thinks he has us right where he wants, which makes this so much easier for us.

"Elijah..." Angela's voice pulls me out of my thoughts, her face is a mixture of emotions - relieved, shocked, confused and a little angry?

"Angel, I'm glad you're-" She cuts me off with a wave of her hand.

"What the hell just happened?" She asks, slightly bewildered by seeing me standing in front of her.

"I'll explain everything late-"

"Wait no, answer me first..." She shakes her head with a frown and I nod. "Are you okay? You must be in a lot of pain." Her voice is a bit shaky and filled with worry. My chest tightens.

"I'm fine, a few bruises here and there but I'll be okay, Angel." My voice gruff as I move forward towards her cell.

She lets out a breath of relief, "Okay, I thought you passed out again earlier, I got worried."

I unlock her gate with the key I took from one of the guards. "Don't worry about me Angel, you know I can handle myself. And I wasn't really injured that bad,I was faking most of it." I say the last part under my breath, not really wanting to talk about this now.

As soon as I open the gate Angela pushes against my chest . . . hard. "Faking it?!" She hisses trying not to be too loud. She pushes against my chest again but I don't move and that makes her angrier. "I was worried about you and you were faking it the whole time?" Tears start to fill her eyes again and guilt starts to eat at me as I watch them fall down her cheeks.

She goes to push me again but I catch her hands and pull her against me. Her face tucked against my chest as her shoulders slowly started to shake. I kiss the top of her head. "I'm sorry, Angel. I'll explain everything when we get out of here. I promise."

She pulls away from my chest before looking up at me with tear stained cheeks. I grab her face with both of my hands and softly wipe the tears away. I don't like seeing them- especially if they are caused by me. "I thought
y-you. . ."

"I'm okay and I'm glad that you are too." I whisper, my lips softly brushing hers. "I love you, Angel." She looks at me, eyes shining bright as the words effortlessly fall from my lips.

"Elijah. . . I lo-"

I kiss her, pouring everything into this one kiss - promises, unsaid words and everything said at once. She kisses me back with so much emotion my heart starts feeling too heavy for my chest.

She slowly pulls away and my thumbs gently run over her cheeks. "As much as I want to hear you say those words..." I lean my forehead against hers and whispers, "I don't want you to feel like you're obligated to just because we're in a bad situation. Say it when you're really ready, my angel."

Tears start to well up in her eyes again but her eyes shine with appreciation. "We'll get out of here, I promise you."

There's a few moments that pass between us as we stare at each other before we hear someone clearing their throat. I look over my shoulder to see Dante and Enzo both looking at us with bored expressions.

"As sweet as all of this is." He rolls his eyes saying, "Can you please open the gate so that we can get out of this hell hole."

A soft chuckle escapes Angela and the side of my lips tug up. Even though Dante only knew half of my plan, I still feel a bit guilty that I didn't fill him in about everything.

I couldn't tell him though, otherwise this whole plan wouldn't have been more realistic. Everything had to be believable.

"Come on boss we ain't got all day." Dante says and I shake my head. He's right. I have to stay focused, can't get sidetracked.

I quickly make my way to Dante and Lorenzo and unlock their cell gates. As soon as everyone is out and has gathered in the tight space between the cells, they eagerly make their way to the stairs.

"Wait." My voice echos through the room and they all stop before turning back to look at me.

"What do you mean 'wait'?" Dante is the first one to ask, obviously anxious to get out of here.

"We can't leave yet."

Dante groans and releases a frustrated breath. "We have to go. . . It wouldn't take long for Nikolai's men to come looking for those two idiots." He points towards the unconscious guards.

I only look at him, because he should really have more faith in me but I'll let it go for now. He's been through a lot enough as it is.

Lorenzo doesn't say anything either and leans against the wall, crossing his arms. Angela frowns but when I give her a reassuring look, she returns it with a small smile.

Dante grunts and tightens his fists, probably wanting to hit something but he releases a tight breath instead. He then slides down the opposite wall and does as I say. Wait.

Silence falls through the room with the only sounds coming from upstairs. It isn't long until the second phase of my plan starts.

A smirk pulls at my lips as a bright flash of light manages to shine from underneath the door at the top of the stairs.

I quickly grab Angela and pull her against my chest, cradling her head just as a deafening boom roars through the entire place.

I barely catch us from falling when the ground slightly shakes. Angela gasps and tightens her hold against me. "You're okay, baby . . ." I whisper against her ear, running my hand over her hair. "We're going to be okay."

Dante and Lorenzo immediately go on high alert and steady themselves until the ground finally stops shaking. When shouts and rushing footsteps resounds from above, they both look at me for conformation.

I nod and we all start making our way to the top of the stairs. Acrid smell of smoke immediately fill the room when I easily kick the door down.

My throat burns with the need to cough, and I instantly tear at one of my shirt sleeves. The smoke is getting worse and we all eventually start coughing.

After quickly tearing that into two pieces, I wrap one around Angela's mouth and nose before doing the same myself.

Dante turns to me after covering his face as well and nods. We're currently in a hallway or what's left of it as the blast of the explosion barely stopped before the basement. The roof is barely staying together as smoke, dust and wall decor litter the entire hallway.

The diversion worked and has lead all Nikolai's men to the cause of the explosion and away from us.

I grab the two guns from the back of my pants, that I took from the guards earlier, and hand them to Dante and Lorenzo. I then grab Angela's hand as we all head down the hall.

I ignore the pounding in my head and the rapid beat of my heart as I only focus on one thing. It all ends today.

Today will be Nikolai's and that scum that calls himself father's last day. They've had their fun and now it's my turn.

When I'm done with them, they'll be begging for death.

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