Chapter 19
Niklaus‘ POV
The door slammed shut behind me, cutting through the tension of my rushed exit. My mind raced, fixated on one thing: getting Abby back for Rosalyn. Abby’s life was on the line, and I couldn’t afford any mistakes. I had someone track the van that took her, and every second that passed weighed heavier on my chest. When the location came in, I sped through the streets and into the countryside as if being familiar with the city. The smooth asphalt gave way to dirt roads, and soon, a dense forest loomed before us.
Two grueling hours later, I found myself
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standing at the edge of a secluded clearing.
The forest was alive with rustling leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures, but the sinister quiet around the house ahead told me I was in the right place.
The house was an isolated, dilapidated structure, its wooden walls almost blending with the trees. Lights shone dimly through cracked windows, and the faint sound of voices inside sent my pulse racing. I had no plan–just the resolve to get Abby out, no matter what.
I crept closer, my footsteps silent on the forest floor. As I approached the entrance, two
guards emerged, their conversation stopping the moment they saw me.
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“Hey, who the hell are you?” one of them barked.
I didn’t answer. There was no time. With a swift movement, I grabbed the nearest guard’s arm, twisting it behind him until he let out a pained cry. Before the second could react, I swung a fist into his face, the crunch of bone beneath my knuckles reverberating in
the still air.
The first guard tried to free himself, but a sharp elbow to his ribs brought him to his knees. Breathing heavily, I stepped over their unconscious forms and slipped into the house.
Inside, the air was thick with the stench of mildew and sweat. My heart pounded as I
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moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors. The sound of muffled crying reached my ears, guiding me like a beacon. My footsteps quickened, every creak of the floorboards making my body tense.
Finally, I found her. Abby sat huddled in a corner of a small room, her hands bound, her
eyes wide with shock when she saw me.
“Niklaus?” she whispered, disbelief lacing
her voice.
“Shh,” I said, quickly kneeling beside her to untie the ropes. Her wrists were red and raw, and anger boiled within me at the sight.
now,” I murmured. “Go.
“You‘ re safe now,
Now.”
“But what about you?” she asked, her voice
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trembling.
“Just go. Be safe,” I said firmly, helping her to her feet.
Her eyes lingered on mine, filled with fear and gratitude, before she finally nodded and
ran out of the room.
I turned back toward the hallway, intending to follow, but a voice stopped me cold.
“Stop right there,” someone growled. I turned to see a group of armed men blocking the exit. Their leader stepped forward, his lips curling into a sneer. “You‘ re him. Uh, Niklaus McDonald, aren’t you? The billionaire.”
I said nothing, my jaw tightening as I stood my ground.
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“You‘ re not leaving here alive, then,” he said, his voice dripping with malice.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. My fists clenched, and adrenaline coursed through my veins. “Bring it on,” I said, my voice calm but deadly.
The room seemed to shrink as the men closed in. My muscles coiled, ready to strike. This wasn’t just a fight for survival–it was a fight to keep my promise to Rosalyn. I wouldn’t go down without a fight.
The leader smirked, cracking his knuckles as he stepped closer. The others spread out, cutting off any chance of escape. My heart pounded, but my resolve never wavered.
This was it.
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Rosalyn’s POV
I couldn’t just sit there and let the chaos unfold without doing anything. The second Niklaus darted into the shadows to evade the police, something inside me snapped. Ignoring the sharp chill of the night air, I hurried after him, weaving through the alleys and dodging anyone who might recognize me. I kept my steps light, my breath sharp, adrenaline coursing through me like fire.
The old, abandoned warehouse loomed ahead, its broken windows like blackened eyes. The faint sound of shouts and scuffles echoed inside. I hesitated only for a moment before pushing through the rusted door, its creak grating against my nerves. My heart raced, both from the chase and the heavy
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But just then, I saw her–Abby. She stumbled
out of the shadows, her face pale but alive. Relief washed over me like a tidal wave.
“Abby!” I cried, rushing forward to
embrace her.
She clung to me tightly, her voice trembling. “He saved me, Rosalyn. Niklaus saved me.
I pulled back slightly, my eyes wide. “Where‘ s Niklaus? Where is he?”
Her gaze flickered back to the building. “He’s still inside. He told me to run.”
My heart twisted painfully, dread pooling in my stomach. Before I could think, a gunshot cracked through the air, silencing everything around me. My breath hitched, and without another thought, I sprinted toward the
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building.
“Miss, stop!” the inspector shouted behind me, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t leave Niklaus
in there.
The stench of blood hit me as I stepped
inside, the scene ahead enough to make bile rise in my throat. Bodies littered the floor, their lifeless eyes staring into nothing. My stomach churned, but I forced my legs to move. The sound of my heartbeat thundered in my ears as I turned a corner and froze.
There he was–Niklaus, sprawled on the ground in a pool of his own blood. His face was battered, his breaths shallow. My heart stopped. “Niklaus!” I screamed, rushing toward him.
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He groaned and tried to roll onto his side, his voice a rasp. “Rosalyn… why are you here?”
Before I could answer, two battered men stepped into view, their laughter cold and sharp. “Looks like the pretty lady couldn’t stay away,” one sneered.
“Stay back!” I yelled, my hands shaking.
“Oh, feisty,” the other one mocked. “What are you gonna do, princess?”
Anger flared through me, and before I could think, I slapped the closest one across the face. His head snapped to the side, and for a second, he looked stunned. Then, his expression darkened. He grabbed my arm roughly, yanking me back.
I struggled against his grip, my nails digging
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into his hand. “Let me go!” I screamed.
“Enough!” the first man barked, pulling out a gun. He pointed it directly at my chest. My breath hitched as I froze, my life flashing
before my eyes.
“Say goodbye, sweetheart,” he said, his finger tightening on the trigger.
But before he could pull it, Niklaus surged forward, his body a blur of motion. “No!” he shouted, throwing himself in front of me. Two deafening shots rang out, and I screamed as his body jerked from the impact. Blood sprayed across the room, and he collapsed onto me, his weight knocking me to the ground.
“Niklaus!” I cried, cradling his head as he
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bled profusely, his lips stained crimson.
The police stormed in at that moment, their shouts filling the space. The two men were wrestled to the ground and handcuffed, their struggles futile against the sheer number of officers. But I couldn’t focus on them. All I
could see was Niklaus, his face pale and his
breaths labored.
“Rosalyn,” he whispered, his voice so soft I had to lean closer to hear him.
“Don’t talk,” I begged, tears streaming down my face. “Save your strength.
He lifted a trembling hand, wiping my tears with his blood–streaked fingers. “Don’t cry. I hate… seeing you cry.”
“Don’t you dare leave me!” I sobbed,
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clutching his hand tightly. “You‘ re going to be okay. Just hold on. Please, Niklaus!”
His hand slipped from mine, falling limply to the floor. His eyes fluttered shut, his chest barely rising.
“No! Niklaus, wake up! Stay with me!” I shook him, desperation clawing at my throat. But he didn’t respond.
