Under His Protection

Chapter 7: Treading on Thin Ice

The sirens grew louder, piercing the tense atmosphere in the room as Santino's smile lingered, mocking Travis from across the wreckage. The flashing blue and red lights from the street outside illuminated the club's dim interior, casting an eerie glow on the broken bodies scattered around them.

Travis turned to Patrick and Ross, his face a mask of calm despite the chaos around him. "We don't have much time. Get the men out the back. We're not sticking around for a police raid."

Patrick gave a quick nod, already moving toward the back exit, his expression hard and focused. Ross followed without a word, his steps swift as he started ushering the others out. Travis's world was well-oiled; his men moved like shadows, disappearing into the night without a trace.

But Taylor didn't move. Her eyes were still locked on Santino, who was watching them with a smug, unshaken air. There was something unnerving about his calm in the face of defeat. Like he knew something they didn't.

"Taylor," Travis's voice cut through her thoughts, sharp and urgent. He was at her side in an instant, gripping her arm tightly, pulling her away from the scene. "We need to go. Now."

She tore her eyes away from Santino, heart pounding. "What about him?" she whispered, glancing over her shoulder at the man who had set all of this in motion.

Travis's jaw clenched, his eyes flickering with a dangerous light. "He's not our problem tonight. But he will be."

Before Taylor could respond, Travis was pulling her toward the back of the club, moving swiftly through the dark corridors. Her mind raced, trying to process everything that had just happened. The gunfire, the violence, the way Travis had moved through it all with cold precision. This wasn't just a glimpse into his world anymore—this was the full weight of it, crashing down around her.

They burst through the back door and into the alley, the cool night air hitting her like a shock to the system. Outside, the sirens were louder now, and she could see the flashing lights reflecting off the wet pavement. Travis didn't stop, pulling her toward his car, where Patrick and Ross were already waiting.

As soon as they reached the car, Patrick opened the door for her, his face tense. "Get in."

Taylor slid into the passenger seat, her heart racing as Travis jumped into the driver's side. He didn't waste a second, gunning the engine and speeding away from the scene just as the first squad cars rounded the corner.

For a while, no one spoke. The silence in the car was thick, heavy with the weight of everything that had just unfolded. Taylor's mind was still reeling, her body tense as she stared out the window, watching the city blur past them. The adrenaline was wearing off now, leaving her with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She could feel Travis beside her, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, his jaw clenched. There was something different about him tonight. The usual control he carried had frayed, just a little, revealing a darker edge underneath. It was as if the pressure of everything—Santino, the attack, and Taylor being caught in the middle—was finally getting to him.

They drove in silence for what felt like hours, but in reality, it was only minutes. Finally, Travis pulled the car into the underground parking lot of a high-rise building—one of his properties, Taylor guessed. The building loomed above them, sleek and modern, yet it felt cold and uninviting. She had never been here before.

Without a word, Travis got out of the car and opened her door. His expression was hard, unreadable, as he motioned for her to follow him inside. Patrick and Ross trailed behind them, their faces equally tense. Whatever was coming next, it wasn't good.

They entered through a private elevator that led them up to the penthouse suite. The doors slid open to reveal an opulent space, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city. But Taylor didn't have time to take it in.

As soon as they were inside, Travis turned to her, his eyes dark with a mix of frustration and something deeper—something raw. "You shouldn't have been there tonight."

His words were sharp, laced with anger. Taylor flinched, caught off guard by his sudden shift in tone.

"You didn't give me a choice," she shot back, her own voice rising. "You said I was part of this now. I'm not going to just sit on the sidelines while you risk everything."

Travis took a step toward her, his presence overwhelming. "You don't understand what you've just walked into, Taylor. This isn't some game. Santino isn't going to stop until he gets what he wants, and that puts a target on your back."

"I know the risks," she said, her voice shaking slightly but firm. "I chose this. I chose you."

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, Travis seemed to falter. The intensity in his eyes softened, just a fraction, as if her words had hit him harder than any bullet ever could.

Behind them, Patrick and Ross exchanged a glance, sensing the tension. Patrick cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "We should debrief, Kelce. Figure out our next move."

Travis didn't respond immediately. His gaze stayed locked on Taylor for a long moment, his jaw tightening. Finally, he nodded, his voice cold as he turned back to his men. "Get started. I'll join you in a minute."

Patrick and Ross hesitated for a second, then nodded and headed toward the adjoining room, leaving Taylor and Travis alone.

As soon as they were gone, the air between them shifted again. Travis took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging slightly as the tension ebbed away. He looked at Taylor, his expression softer now but still tinged with frustration.

"You don't know what it's like, Taylor," he said quietly, his voice rough. "To constantly be looking over your shoulder. To know that every decision could be your last."

Taylor stepped closer, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his words. "I do know, Travis. I've seen it. And I still choose you."

For a moment, Travis just stared at her, as if trying to figure out how to respond. Then, without warning, he pulled her into him, his arms wrapping around her tightly. Taylor's breath caught as she felt the full weight of his emotions—fear, anger, and something deeper, more primal.

He kissed her, hard and desperate, like he was trying to erase the danger of the night with his touch. Taylor melted into him, her hands tangling in his hair as she kissed him back just as fiercely. The world outside disappeared, and for a brief moment, it was just them—no mafia, no Santino, no danger. Just the two of them, lost in each other.

But the moment didn't last long.

Travis pulled back, his breathing ragged, his forehead resting against hers. "I don't want to lose you," he whispered, his voice raw.

"You won't," Taylor whispered back, her heart pounding in her chest. "I'm not going anywhere."

Travis's eyes darkened, but this time it wasn't with anger. It was something else—something deeper. He kissed her again, slower this time, more controlled, as if he was trying to hold on to this moment before everything came crashing down around them.

And Taylor knew, in that moment, that no matter what happened next, she was all in.