“Run!” Alexander yells, his voice strained with desperation. The urgency in his tone makes Elena’s heart race, a mix of fear and adrenaline surging through her veins. She’s just a few steps away from freedom. The car is waiting, engine running, the dark night swallowing their movements as she sprints towards it.
Her legs burn as she runs faster, pushing herself harder than she ever thought she could. The wind rushes past her, making her eyes water, but she doesn’t dare slow down. The car is so close. She can taste the escape, feel it just within her grasp.
But then, she hears the unmistakable sound of boots pounding against the pavement behind her, growing louder and louder.
“Elena!” It’s Rafael’s voice. Cold. Commanding.
Her heart freezes, and she almost stumbles as her instincts scream at her to turn and face him. But she can’t stop now. Not when she’s so close.
She takes another step, but before she can reach the door of the car, a strong hand grabs her arm. The grip is fierce, unrelenting.
“No!” she gasps, twisting in the man’s hold, but it’s no use. She looks up, and her stomach drops. Rafael’s eyes are dark, filled with anger, and there’s something else there too—something colder, like he’s already decided what to do with her.
“Elena, you think you can just run from me?” Rafael’s voice is low, too calm, like he’s already won. His fingers tighten around her arm, and she feels the sharp edge of his fury.
“Let go of me!” she cries, struggling against him, but it only makes his hold tighter. Her pulse races in her throat, her breath coming in short gasps. She looks over at Alexander, who’s still in the shadows, watching, helpless. His expression is full of pain, frustration.
“Go!” she screams at him, her voice cracking, but Alexander doesn’t move. He can’t. He’s already outnumbered. “Please, go! Get out of here!”
But it’s too late. One of Rafael’s men steps forward, blocking Alexander’s path. “You’re not going anywhere,” the man says with a smirk.
Elena’s heart sinks as she realizes their attempt is over. Alexander’s face hardens, but he knows there’s nothing he can do now. His gaze meets hers, filled with helplessness and regret, but he can’t make her run now. Not when it’s too late.
She’s trapped.
“Please,” she whispers, tears welling in her eyes. She feels utterly defeated. She had tried. She had really tried to get away, but now it’s over. Rafael is too powerful. Too prepared.
Rafael drags her back with one firm pull, her body colliding with his chest. He’s warm, but it’s an oppressive warmth, a suffocating one. Elena shudders, her entire body tense with dread.
“You just made the biggest mistake of your life,” Rafael whispers into her ear, his voice soft but filled with cold promise.