Ava's pulse thundered in her ears, the man's ultimatum hanging in the air like a blade poised to drop. She searched his eyes for any hint of weakness, any flicker of hesitation she could exploit, but all she found was a cold, unyielding resolve. He wasn't bluffing she knew that with a chilling certainty. One wrong move, and everything could come crashing down around them.
Her gaze flicked to Jaxon, who was slowly coming to, his head lifting with a groggy, pained motion. His eyes blinked open, and when they met hers, Ava saw a mixture of confusion and concern, but also something else,determination. Even in his weakened state, Jaxon was a fighter. He always had been. And that was what terrified her the most.
"Ava," Jaxon croaked, his voice hoarse, "don't do it."
The man's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in their depths as he turned his attention back to Jaxon. "You're in no position to give orders, Reed. You've lost that privilege."
Jaxon's jaw tightened, and he tried to push himself up, but the ropes binding him to the chair held firm. His gaze never left Ava's, though, and the message in his eyes was clear: don't give in.
But Ava's heart was in turmoil. She had never felt more helpless, more trapped. Every instinct screamed at her to protect Jaxon, to do whatever it took to keep him safe, but she knew that playing along with this man's demands would only lead them further into a web of deceit and control. And yet, if she defied him...
"Let him go," Ava said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I'll do whatever you want, but let him go."
The man's smile was thin, predatory. "That's not how this works, Ms. Sinclair. Jaxon stays right where he is until we're done here. Your cooperation is merely... insurance."
Caleb shifted beside her, the tension rolling off him in waves. Ava could feel the barely restrained anger radiating from him, and she knew that he was only seconds away from making a move. But she also knew that any sudden action could be catastrophic.
"We're wasting time," the man continued, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Veronica won't wait forever, and neither will I. So here's what's going to happen: you're going to convince Jaxon to return to her side, to stop fighting the inevitable. If you succeed, you both walk out of here alive. If you don't..." He let the threat hang in the air, its implications chilling.
Ava's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, a way out of this nightmare. She knew that she couldn't give the man what he wanted, couldn't betray Jaxon like that. But the alternative watching Jaxon be torn apart by the same forces that had haunted him for years was unthinkable.
Caleb's voice broke through her thoughts, calm but firm. "Ava, you don't have to do this. Whatever he's offering, it's not worth your soul."
The man's gaze snapped to Caleb, a flash of irritation crossing his features. "You're remarkably brave for someone who has no leverage. Perhaps you should learn when to stay silent."
Caleb didn't flinch, his eyes hard as steel. "Maybe you should learn when to cut your losses."
Ava's heart lurched as the man's expression darkened, his hand twitching toward his jacket. She knew that Caleb was provoking him, trying to buy them time, but it was a dangerous game. One misstep, and this could turn deadly.
"Enough," the man snarled, his composure slipping. "I'm done playing games. Ava, either you convince Jaxon to cooperate, or I end this now."
Time seemed to slow as Ava's mind raced through her options. She could feel Jaxon's eyes on her, urging her not to give in, but the fear of what might happen if she refused was overwhelming. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, not like this, not because of a choice she made.
And then, like a bolt of lightning, an idea struck her a risky, desperate idea that might just be their only chance.
Ava took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet the man's gaze. "I'll do it," she said, her voice strong. "I'll convince him."
Jaxon's eyes widened in shock, and he started to protest, but the man cut him off with a sharp gesture. "Smart decision, Ms. Sinclair. Now, let's hear it."
Ava moved slowly toward Jaxon, her heart pounding in her chest. She knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch his cheek. His skin was warm under her fingers, and she could feel the tension coiled beneath the surface.
"Jaxon," she whispered, her voice so soft that only he could hear. "Trust me."
Jaxon's eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of understanding passing between them. He gave a slight nod, barely perceptible, but enough to let her know that he was with her.
Ava swallowed hard, knowing that this was it. She had one shot, one chance to pull this off. She leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear as she spoke in a voice so low that only he could hear.
"When I give the signal," she whispered, "hit the floor."
Jaxon tensed, but he didn't question her. He knew better than anyone that they were out of options, that whatever Ava was planning, it was their only hope.
Ava pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his eyes, and gave him the slightest nod.
Then, with every ounce of resolve she had, she turned and lunged at the man.
The move was so unexpected, so sudden, that the man barely had time to react. Ava's shoulder slammed into his chest, and he staggered backward, his hand reaching for the weapon in his jacket. But before he could draw it, Jaxon twisted in his chair, throwing himself to the ground just as Ava had instructed.
Caleb was on the man in an instant, his fists flying in a flurry of controlled violence. The man fought back, but he was caught off guard, his focus split between Ava and Caleb, and it gave them the opening they needed.
Ava scrambled to Jaxon's side, her hands shaking as she fumbled with the ropes binding him. "We need to move, now," she urged, her voice frantic as the sounds of the struggle behind her filled the warehouse.
Jaxon's hands were free in seconds, and he quickly pulled off the rest of his restraints, his movements fueled by adrenaline. He shot a glance at Caleb, who was grappling with the man near the entrance, before turning back to Ava.
"Go!" Jaxon ordered, his voice hoarse but commanding. "Get out of here!"
"I'm not leaving you!" Ava protested, but Jaxon was already pulling her to her feet, his grip firm and unyielding.
"We don't have time to argue," he growled, his eyes burning with urgency. "I'll hold them off just go!"
Ava's heart twisted in her chest, but she knew he was right. The longer they stayed, the more dangerous this became. She gave him one last, desperate look, then turned and sprinted toward the exit, her pulse roaring in her ears.
Behind her, she could hear the sounds of the struggle growing more intense, the grunts and curses echoing through the vast, empty space. She didn't dare look back, didn't dare think about what might happen if Jaxon didn't make it out. All she could do was run.
The cold night air hit her like a slap as she burst through the door, her lungs burning from the effort. But she didn't stop, didn't slow down. She had to keep going, had to get to safety.
But as she reached the edge of the docks, her heart nearly stopped.
A black SUV skidded to a halt in front of her, the tires screeching against the pavement. The doors flew open, and before Ava could react, two men jumped out, their faces obscured by shadows.
"Get in the car," one of them ordered, his voice cold and commanding.
Ava froze, her mind racing as she tried to process what was happening. But before she could make a decision, one of the men lunged forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the vehicle.
"No!" Ava screamed, struggling against his grip, but he was too strong. She was shoved into the backseat, the door slamming shut behind her.
The SUV roared to life, and Ava's heart sank as she realized what was happening.
They were taking her.
The vehicle sped away from the docks, the city lights blurring into a chaotic swirl outside the window. Ava's mind raced, her thoughts a frantic jumble of fear and desperation.
Jaxon. Caleb. They were still back there, still fighting for their lives. And now she was being taken, whisked away to God knows where.
As the SUV tore through the night, Ava's pulse pounded in her ears, her breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps.
She was on her own now.
And she had no idea what awaited her.