Veronica's voice sliced through the air, sharp and cold, echoing in the vast, dim warehouse. Ava's heart slammed against her chest, the sound of her pulse roaring in her ears as she instinctively took a step back, her eyes darting from Veronica to Jaxon, who remained slumped in the chair, still unconscious.
"You've made a mistake," Veronica continued, her voice dangerously calm as she emerged from the shadows, her sharp heels clicking against the concrete floor. She moved with the confidence of someone who had already won. "You should have stayed away."
Ava's breath hitched in her throat as she locked eyes with Veronica, fear coiling in her stomach like a living thing. But beneath that fear, a spark of defiance flared. She had come this far faced betrayal, loss, and danger at every turn. She wasn't going to turn back now. Not when Jaxon was so close.
"I'm not leaving without him," Ava said, her voice steady, though her hands trembled at her sides.
Veronica's eyes gleamed with a twisted smile. "Oh, you'll be leaving, Ava. But Jaxon... he stays." Her gaze flickered over to Jaxon's motionless form, her expression darkening with something almost resembling pity. "You think you know what you're doing, but you don't. You've stepped into a world far more dangerous than you could ever imagine."
Ava's heart pounded, but she stood her ground. "I don't care about your games, Veronica. I'm here for him. Whatever you're planning, it ends now."
Veronica tilted her head slightly, her smile widening as if amused by Ava's defiance. "You think you're strong, don't you? Resilient. But all your strength means nothing here. You've been a pawn in this from the very beginning."
Ava's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. "What are you talking about?"
Veronica circled her slowly, like a predator toying with its prey. "Caleb was right about one thing you are valuable. But not in the way you think. You were never just an accessory to Jaxon's downfall, Ava. You were the key."
Ava's stomach twisted in confusion and dread. "What do you mean?"
Veronica stopped in front of her, her smile fading as she met Ava's gaze with cold intensity. "I wanted you from the start. Your connection to Jaxon made it easy to reel him in. I knew he would never let you go, no matter how dangerous things became. And now... now that you're here, I can finally finish what I started."
Ava's blood ran cold as the weight of Veronica's words settled over her. She had been used, manipulated, played like a piece in Veronica's twisted game. Her mind raced with the realization that every move she had made every decision, had been influenced by forces she hadn't even seen.
But that didn't change the fact that Jaxon was here, bound and broken, and she wasn't leaving without him.
"I don't care what you think you've done," Ava said, her voice shaking with anger. "Jaxon and I are leaving. Together."
Veronica's smile faded, her eyes narrowing. "You still don't get it, do you?" Her voice was laced with disdain. "There's no leaving. Not for you. Not for him."
Before Ava could react, Veronica's hand shot out, grabbing Ava by the wrist with a strength that took her by surprise. The suddenness of the attack left Ava breathless, and she struggled against Veronica's grip, but the woman held her fast, pulling her closer with a menacing glare.
"You think you can defy me?" Veronica hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "You've already lost."
Ava's mind raced, panic flaring as Veronica's grip tightened painfully around her wrist. But in that moment, Ava's instincts kicked in. She twisted her arm sharply, breaking free of Veronica's hold, and took a quick step back, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I'm not afraid of you," Ava spat, her voice trembling with fury. "You can't control me."
Veronica's eyes darkened, a flash of anger crossing her face before she regained her composure. "You should be afraid," she said coldly, her voice dripping with venom. "Because the people I work for... they don't care about you. Or Jaxon. You're just collateral damage."
Ava's breath hitched, the reality of Veronica's words settling in. But before she could respond, she heard a faint sound behind her a groan, soft but unmistakable.
Jaxon.
Her heart leapt as she turned toward him, her pulse quickening at the sight of him stirring in the chair. His head lifted slowly, his eyes fluttering open, though his movements were sluggish and disoriented. He was hurt badly but he was alive.
"Jaxon!" Ava rushed toward him, her hands reaching out to touch his face, to reassure herself that he was really there.
Jaxon blinked, his gaze unfocused as he looked up at her. "Ava..." he rasped, his voice hoarse and weak.
But before Ava could say anything, Veronica's voice cut through the air, sharp and mocking.
"You really think you can save him?" she sneered. "He's beyond saving, Ava. Just like you."
Ava turned to face Veronica, her heart pounding in her chest. "We'll see about that."
Without another word, Ava spun around, her hands working quickly to untie the ropes that bound Jaxon to the chair. Her fingers fumbled with the knots, but determination fueled her movements. She couldn't let this end here. Not like this.
Veronica's laugh echoed through the warehouse, sending chills down Ava's spine. "You're wasting your time."
The ropes fell away, and Ava pulled Jaxon to his feet, his body sagging against hers as he struggled to stand. He was weak, barely able to hold himself up, but Ava wasn't giving up.
"Come on," she whispered, her voice trembling as she supported his weight. "We need to get out of here."
But Veronica wasn't done. She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. "You think you can just walk out of here? I won't let you."
Ava's heart raced as she guided Jaxon toward the door, her mind spinning with panic. She needed to get them out of here, needed to put as much distance between them and Veronica as possible. But Veronica was closing in, her footsteps echoing ominously in the vast space.
"I won't let you take him," Veronica snarled, her voice rising with fury.
Just as Ava reached the door, Veronica lunged at her, her hand grabbing Ava's arm and yanking her back with a force that nearly knocked her off her feet.
Ava stumbled, her grip on Jaxon slipping as she struggled to keep her balance. Veronica's fingers dug into her arm, pulling her away from Jaxon with vicious determination.
"You don't get to leave!" Veronica shouted, her face twisted with rage.
Ava twisted, her heart racing as she fought to free herself from Veronica's grip. But Veronica was relentless, her strength surprising as she dragged Ava back, her eyes blazing with fury.
Ava's vision blurred with panic, but just as she was about to lose hope, Jaxon moved. His hand shot out, grabbing Veronica's wrist with a strength that belied his weakened state.
"Let her go," Jaxon growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Veronica froze, her eyes widening in surprise as Jaxon's grip tightened around her wrist. For a moment, everything seemed to stand still the tension between them crackling in the air like electricity.
And then, with a swift motion, Jaxon shoved Veronica back, sending her stumbling across the floor. She hit the ground hard, her face twisted in shock and anger.
Ava didn't waste a second. She grabbed Jaxon's hand, pulling him toward the door as fast as their battered bodies would allow. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as they made their escape.
Behind them, Veronica's furious shout echoed through the warehouse, but Ava didn't look back. She couldn't. They had to keep moving. They had to get out.
As they stumbled out of the building and into the night, Ava felt a surge of relief, but it was fleeting. She knew they weren't safe yet. Not by a long shot.