Twisted Veil of Devotion

Part 13

Ryan POV

I was speeding through the city like I had lost my mind. My hands were locked so tight around the steering wheel that my fingers had gone numb. My chest felt tight. I couldn't think about anything except Stella.

Please be safe. Please.

I had been gone too long. I should have been there.

The call replayed in my mind. Attack. Multiple casualties. Estate under siege.

And then the name.

Zane.

My stomach twisted. I had left her alone. I should have known he would come.

By the time I reached the estate, the sight in front of me almost knocked the air out of my lungs. Bodies were everywhere. The garden looked like a battlefield. Blood, broken glass, bullets scattered across stone paths that used to feel peaceful.

My men. Men I trained with. Men who had laughed with me. Gone.

I ducked behind a pillar, scanning everything, fighting the panic.

Where is she?

Then I heard it.

A scream.

Stella.

My heart jumped. I moved, staying low, weaving through bushes and statues, ignoring the gunfire around me.

And there he was.

Zane had Stella pinned, his weight on her, her face twisted in fear and pain.

"NO!" I yelled without thinking.

Gunfire exploded. Stone shattered beside me as bullets ripped past. Something burned through my thigh, and another grazed my shoulder, but I kept moving.

A helicopter appeared above them.

Of course. He planned everything.

He scooped Stella up as she kicked and screamed. I tried to aim, but his men surrounded him, firing nonstop. I couldn't get a clear shot.

"Stella!" I shouted.

Her eyes found mine. Big. Terrified.

"Ryan!" she screamed.

And then they were gone. The helicopter lifted higher and higher until it disappeared into the sky.

Military teams flooded the estate, clearing out the last attackers, but none of it mattered.

He had her.

I dropped to my knees, blood pouring down my leg, the world spinning.

"I'm coming for you," I whispered, forcing myself to stay conscious. "I swear I'm coming."

Stella POV

"No!" My voice tore from my throat. "Don't kill him! Please! Make them stop!"

Zane's grip tightened when I hit his chest. He didn't flinch.

"I hate you," I whispered, tears streaming.

He actually smiled.

"And I love you," he said quietly.

Before I could answer, something sharp pricked my neck.

My vision blurred instantly. My hands went to the spot, panic exploding in my chest.

"What did you do to me?"

The world tilted sideways. Everything softened around the edges.

He tucked the syringe away like it was nothing important.