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"Go, Sofia!" I heard Jace shout over the sound of guns and chaos. His voice was sharp, commanding, and laced with a fierce protection that sent a shiver down my spine.
I didn't remember much of what happened next. Everything became a blur as adrenaline took over, hoping that I was going toward the exit. I wasn’t sure which way it was, but I followed the sound of the water, letting it guide me through the dizzying maze of the compound.
I stumbled into a corridor, panting heavily as I leaned against the cold, metal wall. I could still hear the gunfire echoing behind me, but it was growing fainter now. Fear gnawed at my gut as I thought about Grayson and Jace, but I forced myself to swallow down the bile rising in my throat. I found a tall set of metal stairs and took a deep breath before I walked up them.
Victor had said they could handle themselves. I had to trust him. They had been in worse situations before, and each time, they'd come out on top. They were fighters, survivors. They wouldn't go down without one hell of a fight.
I started running again, my bare feet slapping against the concrete floor as I dashed through empty corridors and deserted rooms. The sound of running water was getting louder now, and I knew I was getting closer to the exit.
The tears that had been threatening to spill over finally did as I continued to run. Each step took me further away from them, but it also took me a step closer to safety. My chest heaved with exertion, the chill of the night air biting at my bare skin, but I couldn’t afford to stop. Not when they had risked their lives to save me.
I stumbled into a courtyard, my heart leaping into my throat as the sound of rushing water filled my ears. I was near the beach, the salty tang of the ocean air a sharp contrast to the metallic stench of the compound. I skidded on the sandy surface, nearly tripping in my haste, but I caught myself and pushed on. The roar of the crashing waves was deafening now. Down in the bunker, they might have still been shooting at each other. I wouldn’t know. I couldn’t hear it.
I felt like shit. I was out, but I couldn’t exactly leave them behind.
It took me until I was outside to think about where Teo was. Why wasn’t he there? Was he hurt? I needed to find him. I needed to make sure he was okay.
I looked at the cars which were nearby. I could…wait. Wait for them to get out. Wait for them to get out of this.
I would be ready for them.
I was halfway to the cars, my mind spinning with plans on how to hotwire one, when I felt an arm wrap around my waist. Fear shot through me like a bolt of lightning as I was violently yanked back, my body colliding with a hard, muscled frame.
"Don't think about running, sweetheart," Stephen's voice was a low growl in my ear, his hot breath fanning the side of my face. His arms were like steel bands around me, locking me firmly against his chest. The scent of smoke on his skin made me feel like gagging.
I struggled against him, kicking and flailing as I tried to free myself from his grip. But he only tightened his hold on me, his fingers digging painfully into my skin. "Let me go!" I screamed at him.
Stephen let out a harsh laugh and pulled me towards a sleek black sedan that was parked nearby. "There's nowhere for you to go, Sofia. Not anymore.”
A roar filled my ears, drowning out the sounds of the night. It wasn't the sea. It was rage – pure, fiery rage. "I'm not going anywhere with you," I spat, my voice shaking with fear and fury.
“Let’s see what happens, huh?”
His words had me freezing, even as he shoved me forward with more force than necessary. My heart pounded in my chest like a wild drum. I was cornered now. Back with Stephen. Suddenly, escaping the compound just to be recaptured felt like a sick joke.
“Come on. Let’s go for a ride.”
His words sent shockwaves of terror through me, but I forced myself to stand tall and glare at him. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Stephen’s face contorted into a sadistic grin, his grip intensifying around my arm. “I beg to differ.”
There was a moment of defiance in me that made me kick out at him, but it was futile against his vice-like hold. He chuckled at my attempt and started to haul me towards a silver car.
“No!” I shouted, adrenaline surging through my veins as fear took over. I lashed out again, my nails scratching against his skin. Stephen simply grunted and continued his unyielding march towards the car.
He opened the door and shoved me in. “What about them?” I asked, my voice wavering.
“Your friends?” Stephen asked, shaking his head. “Sweetheart, you got lucky. Let’s just leave it at that.”
And then he was driving away.
Chapter Twelve: Teo
Ithought about ripping the IV out of the back of my hands and beating this man to death, but I lay there, my body drained of the strength that once filled it. Instead, a hollow emptiness consumed me, leaving me feeling weak and vulnerable. A stark contrast to the robust and powerful man I used to be before this mess started.
"Where is she?" I asked, my voice raspy from hours of unconsciousness.
Every time I had seen Sofia’s father, it had been in the Everglades, cast in shadows or obscured by harsh sunlight. This was the first time I could just look at his face and it struck me just how ordinary he looked. I could see how much Sofia looked like him, her skin color, her eyes, the way her brows arched.
