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Ava woke to a strange noise outside their hotel room, a faint rustling that didn't belong to the quiet, early morning. She shifted slightly, glancing up to find Ethan still asleep beside her, his expression peaceful and relaxed, a rarity that made her hesitate before disturbing him. But the sound came again, sharper this time—an urgent, muffled scraping that made her stomach tighten.
She gently nudged him, her voice a soft whisper. "Ethan, wake up."
He stirred, his eyes blinking open, but the sharp awareness that always seemed to hover under his surface was already there. He glanced at her, immediately noting the concern on her face, and his expression turned serious.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice low.
"There's something… outside," she whispered.
Ethan was out of bed in an instant, his movements silent and controlled as he crossed the room to the door. He leaned close, listening, his body tense, every sense on high alert. Ava could see the shift in him, the way he moved from calm to alert, a protective energy surrounding him. She felt her own heart rate rise as she followed his lead, slipping out of bed and scanning the room for anything that could be used as a weapon.
In the dim light, Ethan nodded, his expression grim as he turned to her. "Stay close. I'll check first, but if there's trouble, I need you ready."
She nodded, her nerves on edge, her mind racing as she watched him grip the handle, his jaw tight as he slowly cracked the door open. He peeked out into the hallway, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. A tense moment passed, and then his expression darkened.
"Stay back," he whispered, his voice cold and commanding.
Before Ava could react, the door burst open, and two men lunged toward them, their movements swift and aggressive. Ethan barely had time to push Ava back as he stepped forward, using the door as a shield and swinging it hard into the nearest man's face. The impact sent the man stumbling back, but his partner was already charging, a blade glinting in his hand.
Ava's heart raced, adrenaline flooding her system as she searched the room for anything she could use. Her gaze landed on the bedside lamp, and she snatched it up, gripping it tightly as she positioned herself behind Ethan, ready to help however she could.
Ethan sidestepped the blade with fluid precision, his movements honed and controlled. He grabbed the man's wrist, twisting it sharply until the knife clattered to the floor. Without missing a beat, he delivered a swift kick to the man's stomach, sending him crashing back into the hallway. But the first attacker was already recovering, his face twisted with anger as he advanced again, this time aiming for Ava.
She didn't hesitate. With a fierce determination, she swung the lamp as hard as she could, catching the man off guard. The impact knocked him back, a look of surprise flashing across his face as he stumbled. Ethan took the opportunity to tackle him, pinning him to the ground as he delivered a swift blow, leaving the man dazed and barely conscious.
Ava's breath came in quick, shallow bursts as she stepped back, the lamp still clenched in her hand. She looked at Ethan, her pulse racing as she took in the fierce, protective expression on his face. For a brief moment, their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.
But the danger wasn't over. A third figure appeared at the end of the hallway, his presence masked by the darkness until he stepped forward, revealing a familiar face that made Ava's blood run cold.
"Lance," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lance Ward, the man who had been orchestrating the threats against them, stood there with a smug smile, his gaze focused on her with a chilling intensity. He held up a small remote, his thumb hovering over the button, a taunting smile on his face.
"Good morning, lovebirds," he said, his tone mocking. "I hope you enjoyed your last peaceful night together."
Ethan stepped forward, his stance protective, his expression steely. "What do you want, Lance?"
Lance's smile widened, his thumb pressing down on the remote's button with a menacing click. "Just a little… distraction."
The building shook as an explosion tore through the floor below, sending a shockwave through the walls. Ava stumbled, Ethan's arm wrapping around her just in time to steady her. Smoke and debris began to seep into the hallway, filling the air with a thick, acrid smell. Lance's laughter echoed as he backed away, his silhouette disappearing into the chaos.
"We need to get out of here, now," Ethan said, his voice firm as he guided her back into the room.
They moved quickly, gathering their belongings in seconds, Ethan's focus sharp as he led her toward the emergency exit. The sounds of chaos grew louder, the distant shouts and pounding footsteps adding to the urgency. Ava could feel the adrenaline coursing through her, her mind racing as they navigated the narrow staircase, the smoke growing thicker with each step.
As they reached the ground floor, the lobby was a scene of destruction. Broken glass and debris littered the floor, the scent of smoke and burning material hanging heavy in the air. They pushed forward, slipping through the chaos, their goal clear—escape.
Outside, the night was chaotic, the flashing lights of emergency vehicles casting eerie shadows across the scene. Ethan held her hand tightly, guiding her through the crowd, his gaze scanning their surroundings as they moved away from the hotel. Ava could feel the weight of his protection, his determination to keep her safe no matter the cost.
When they finally reached a quieter street, they paused, catching their breath. Ava looked up at him, her heart pounding, the reality of their close call settling over her. She saw the fierce resolve in his eyes, the intensity that told her he was already calculating their next steps.
"Lance won't stop, will he?" she asked, her voice quiet, laced with a mixture of fear and determination.
Ethan shook his head, his jaw set, his expression hard. "No. He's made this personal. But he made a mistake tonight."
Ava's gaze hardened as she nodded, a newfound determination rising within her. They weren't just running anymore—they were fighting back.
Ethan's hand tightened around hers, a silent promise passing between them. They had faced death and come out stronger, and now they had a reason to fight, to stand their ground against those who wanted to tear them apart.
As they disappeared into the early morning shadows, Ava knew that they wouldn't let Lance or anyone else dictate their fate. They had each other, and that was all the strength they needed.
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