Chapter 73
ROWAN
The van idles under the third streetlight. The engine hums steady, but inside, everything feels like it’s holding its breath.
Drago’s voice crackles in my ear. “She’s clear. Ten meters out.”
I lean forward, every nerve stretched thin. “Eyes?”
“Negative. Cameras looped. Two minutes clean.”
Reggie’s hand drums against his knee, his tension sharp enough to cut glass. “If they spot her—”
“They won’t,” I snap, even though I don’t believe it.
The street beyond the windshield is empty, until it isn’t.
Then she’s there.
Bella.
Moving fast. Her hair wild, blood on her sleeve and fire in her eyes. She’s half chaos, half miracle, and every part of me aches to go to her.
Reggie’s already out the door before I can stop him. I follow, pulse pounding. The night air is cold against my face, the kind of cold that burns. But, I don’t give a shit. I just need her in my arms.
She doesn’t slow when she sees us. She just runs harder, straight into Reggie’s arms. He catches her, holding her like she’s the only thing that matters, and right now, she is.
I sweep the street, checking corners, rooftops, reflections in windows. Nothing. But the silence feels too easy.
“Get in,” I say, my voice low.
Reggie guides her toward the van. I cover their backs, every step timed to her breaths. I get in the back with her and slide shut behind us, I finally let out the breath I’ve been holding.
She’s shaking, blood smeared across her wrist and a dark streak along her jaw. But her eyes are steady. Reggie starts the van.
“Talk to me, precious” I whisper, brushing hair from her face.
She exhales hard. “Guard’s name was Igor Korchinov. I’ve got his ID pass.”
Drago’s voice cuts in instantly. “Repeat that?”
“Russian,” I confirm, looking at Bella. “You recognize it, Drago?”
“Yeah.” Drago’s tone turns grim. “And this opens a whole new can of fucking worms.”
Reggie’s jaw tightens. “We need to move. Before his body’s found.”
“Already on it,” Drago says. “Cameras are glitching another ninety seconds. After that, we’re ghosts or we’re dead.”
Reggie throws the van into gear, tires whispering against wet pavement as we slide into the dark.
Bella leans her head back against the seat, breathing through the adrenaline crash. I reach forward, take her hand, and squeeze once, just enough to let her know she’s not alone.
She squeezes back, faint but firm. Then she nudges up next to me and I wrap my arms around her, never wanting to let go.
“You did so good for us,” I murmur.
She looks up at me with a smile. One that steals my heart for good this time.
Reggie glances at her in the rearview mirror. His voice is rough. “Yeah. She did.”
“Does that mean I finally get my reward?” She asks Reggie.
“Your comms are still on. Meet me back at the ranch.” Drago says through the earpiece.
We all laugh and rip them out of our ears at the same time.
“Oops.” Bella giggles.