God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Chapter 28

Vaughn

     The world tilted on its axis as the sound of the gunshot echoed through the warehouse, a deafening crack that shattered the tense air like glass. Time seemed to freeze as I watched in horror, Alicia's form jerking violently against the restraints that held her captive. Blood blossomed like a dark flower against the white of her shirt, a stark contrast that clawed at my heart.

"NO!" I screamed, instinct taking over as I lunged forward, but Aiden and Eli caught my arms, anchoring me back.

"Vaughn, wait!" Aiden shouted, his voice a frayed rope hanging on the edge of despair. "We need to get her out of here!"

Dominik, sensing the shift, began to retreat. His laughter, once menacing, devolved into frantic panic as he attempted to maneuver through the maze of crates. But I couldn't focus on him; all I could see was Alicia, crumpling in that chair, her bright eyes fluttering with confusion and pain.

"Get him!" I barked at Eli, who wasted no time sprinting after Dominik, fists clenched like raw iron. But all that mattered was Alicia, my resolve morphing into a single, powerful surge.

"Creighton, help me!" I commanded, rushing to her side while Aiden fumbled with the ropes that bound her wrists. The sight of her pallor pushed me into overdrive.

"I've got it!" Creighton shouted, using a knife to cut through the ropes, his hands shaking with urgency.

I crouched beside her, brushing her hair away from her face, my heart filling with a mixture of dread and determination. "Alicia, look at me," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, hands trembling. "You're going to be okay. We're going to get you to the hospital."

She blinked slowly, a fragile smile breaking through the veil of pain. "Vaughn..." Her voice was barely a breath, sorrowful yet laced with hope.

"Keep talking to me," I urged, pressing my hand gently against her wound, trying to apply pressure, trying to staunch the flow of crimson that stained her skin.

"Vaughn, it hurts." Her eyes filled with tears, and I imagined it was a betrayal of my own strength. I couldn't lose her. Not like this.

"Stay with me, please, don't leave me," I pleaded, my heart pounding in desperation. "We're getting you out of here."

Aiden had pulled out his phone, his hands shaking as he dialed for help. "We don't have time for an ambulance! We have to get her to the car." he shouted, urgency and fear threading through his voice. He was trying to hold it together, for her sake.

Creighton returned, a satisfied look on his face. "Eli got Dominik," he said, defeated.

"Focus on Alicia," I snapped, refusing to let anger seep into my concern for her. "We can worry about him later."

Eli came rushing back, panting, carrying an unconscious body. "I didn't kill him. Yet."

The noise of footsteps grew louder around us, the familiar weight of shared history hanging over our heads like a noose. Underneath that, a deeper anguish rattled within me: the possibility of losing her before I could even save her.

"Help's on the way, Alicia. Just breathe," Aiden said, his voice cracking as he knelt beside her, cradling her head in his hands. "Stay with us."

"Daddy..." she croaked, eyes widening. "I'm scared."

"I know, baby," Aiden said, voice trembling, but he steeled himself with every word. "We're going to be okay. Just hold on."

Creighton pressed a cloth to her wound, trying to staunch the blood. "We need to hurry," he said, glancing at the door in anxiety. "How long will it take?"

"Too long," Eli muttered, his expression hardening as he searched the room. "We need to get out of here and to the hospital."

"Agreed," I said, my jaw tight as I steadied her against me. "We'll carry her."

"I can walk," Alicia murmured, but her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and I knew she was barely clinging to consciousness.

"No, you can't. Just trust us." I gently secured my arm around her waist, feeling the warmth of her blood seep through my fingers. "And hold on tight."

Both Creighton and Eli slid beneath her, lifting her with the utmost care. "Get the door," I instructed Aiden, nudging him to make a move.

We stepped out of the room and into the corridor where the heavy air embraced us. My heart raced as we rushed through the maze of crates, each footfall echoing like gunfire. The warehouse's shadows were thick with danger, every corner a potential threat.

"Just a little further, Alicia," I encouraged her, desperation clawing at my voice.

"Eli, drive!" Aiden shouted, unlocking the car.

The night opened up to the outside world, the cool air hitting my face like a lifeline as we bolted toward our waiting vehicles. Aiden was already fumbling with the back door of the SUV, and Eli and Creighton maneuvered her carefully inside.

"Move, move!" I shouted, my heart hammering. Each second felt like an eternity, each breath a reminder of how close I was to losing her.

As I climbed in beside her, I pressed my hand firmly on her wound, keeping as much pressure as I could. "You're going to be okay, you hear me? Hold on for me, Kukolka."

She blinked slowly, her eyes fading, and I felt a surge of panic, but I refused to give in. "I'm here. I won't leave your side."

The engine roared to life, tires screeching against the pavement as Eli propelled us toward the hospital, urgency written all over his face.

"Call ahead," I commanded, my gaze flicking to Alicia's pale face.

"We're making it... we're making it..." I whispered through clenched teeth, staring at the reflection of the moon in the darkened sky. The fight wasn't over; not yet. And it wouldn't be until I brought her back to safety, no matter the cost.

Her head is in my lap and feet propped up on her fathers, Eli is driving and Creighton in the front seat.

"I love you, you know that...?" She mumbles to me.

"I know.... I love you too..."

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A/N:
My angelssss, who knows if this story will have a happy ending? ;)
Thank you so much for the support!!
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