Bound by my blood

Chapter thirty-two

The sound of bullets tearing through the air echoes around us, urging Jax to pull me faster, deeper into the narrow pathways and hidden alleys. I can hear the frantic thuds of boots behind us, the sharp crack of gunfire growing louder. My heart races as I pray that Elisa isn't hit, that she's somehow managing to hold her own despite everything.

I can't lose her. Not now. Not like I lost Vincenzo.

Every inch of my body is telling me to turn around, to fight back, but I know it's pointless. Jax's grip on my arm is firm, iron-like, and he's pulling me along faster than I can keep up. Even if I tried to break free and help, he'd stop me. He's right to—fighting wouldn't do anything but get in the way. I know my limits. I can't fight as well as the others. I'd only slow us down, distract them. Maybe, though, that could be the one advantage. The enemies are after me, not Jax, not Elisa.

"Nearly there," Jax mutters, voice strained with effort, his eyes flicking to me. "Keep going."

I push myself harder, gasping for air. My body feels like it's going to collapse, my lungs burning, but there's no time to stop. We can't afford to stop now. If I falter, if we get caught... Elisa's sacrifice to stay behind would be in vain.

The crashing sound of waves in the distance guides me as I focus on the beach ahead. Sand stirs in the air, caught by the breeze, and I can feel the helicopter getting closer. We're almost there. We can make it out alive.

That is, until the unmistakable sound of heels clicking against the ground halts us in our tracks. My heart drops into my stomach, and Jax tenses beside me, pushing me into an alcove along the wall.

She's here. The woman—the one I tricked outside the university, the one Vincenzo and I encountered before.

"Alexandria, honey, I know you're here," her voice calls out, sickly sweet, taunting. "Come out before I come drag you out myself."

Jax shoots me a look, his eyes sharp with warning, and I nod slightly, understanding the silent message—don't move. His hand tightens on the gun hidden under his jacket. He's prepared, but he's waiting.

"Alexa, this isn't a game. If you don't come to me, then Vincenzo is dead. All I have to do is make one tiny phone call. You don't want your husband dead, do you?"

My blood runs cold at the mention of Vincenzo's name. I can barely breathe. If she's telling the truth, they have him. Or there's a rat. Either way, it's not good. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut.

This isn't a game. Vincenzo could be in danger—no, he is in danger.

Jax grabs my arm, shaking his head, but I already know what I have to do. Even if he doesn't understand, I can't risk it. Not when Vince's life is on the line.

I reach for one of the knives hidden in Jax's pocket, my fingers brushing against the cold metal as I grip it tightly. The reality of what I'm about to do settles heavily in my chest.

"Goodbye. I love you," I mouth, pressing a quick kiss to Jax's cheek before stepping out of the alcove and into the open.

The woman's lips curl into a smug smile as she sees me approach, her eyes gleaming with a twisted satisfaction.

"Hmmm, I thought that might make you more receptive," she purrs, beckoning me forward.

I take slow, deliberate steps, keeping my hands by my sides to hide the knife tucked discreetly under the clips of my bra. As she starts to circle me, I swallow hard, trying to keep my expression neutral, to keep her talking, to buy time.

"What is it that you have that I don't?" she asks, her voice dripping with jealousy and bitterness. "You seem to have all the men after you, and I don't understand it."

"Nothing. I am nothing," I mutter, trying to distract her. "I don't understand it either."

Her hand traces across my shoulder blades, her nails scraping the skin. I force myself to hold in the sharp intake of breath, my stomach twisting with the sharp sting of her touch. It's nothing compared to what she could do, but it's enough to make my blood boil.

She steps closer, until we're face to face, and I can feel the heat of her breath. This is it. The moment I've been waiting for.

Before she can react, I grab the knife and jam it into the side of her throat, the blade sinking deep with one swift motion.

She gasps, her hand instinctively reaching for the wound as blood pours from the gash.

I yank the knife out just as Jax rushes from his hiding place.

"Come on, we need to go before someone notices she's gone," he urges, grabbing my hand as he pulls me forward.

I glance back at the woman, who's already collapsing to the ground, blood pooling around her. A cold fury builds inside me as I turn away.

"You messed with the wrong family," I snarl under my breath. "I will find my husband, and when I do, your friend will learn what happens when you mess with a Castillo."

Her bloodshot eyes flicker, and through laboured breaths, she manages to choke out one final sentence.

"That's where you're wrong... The problem is closer than you think. I'm not the main villain in this story."

My fury flares, and without thinking, I kick her side with all the strength I have left. A loud crack rings through the air. I don't care. She doesn't deserve mercy.

Jax pulls me away, his hand on mine as we sprint toward the beach, the helicopter now in sight.

Aerin stands near the chopper, waving at us urgently, and I push myself harder, running for my life, for Vince.

Once we're inside, Aerin slides into the pilot's seat, and guards make sure the doors are locked and secure. Jax and I climb into the back, strapping ourselves in. The engines roar to life, and I put the headphones on, my hands trembling as I hold on tight.

As we rise into the sky, the resort grows smaller and smaller beneath us. I glance out the window, watching as the world fades into the distance, but my mind is stuck on one thought:

Vincenzo.

I'm finally going home, but it doesn't feel like home without him.