Chapter 12
Mirian frome
“When you were with Paige, did you ever think about where I was the inord, her voire quiet but every word curing deep. “You remember her birthday, her preferences, her depression–but what about me? 1 gave you blood, took bullets for you, stayed by your side day and night, gave you everything. Do you remember any of that?
Adrian’s face went deathly pale. Seeing his reaction, she sighed, turning away tiredly without giving him another glance. “Go home. Don’t come looking for me again“]
Lucas shot Adriana cold look, shipping his arm around Stella’s waist to help her walk away. Adrian stood alone, watching their retreating figures, feeling the someone had carved a chunk right out of his chest ||
right did that stran
She used to have eyes only for him. Now she wouldn’t even spare him a glance. And what right
stranger have to stand by her side?
Adrian clenched his fists, nais digging deep into his palms. He couldn’t name this strange emotion consuming him, but one thing was crystal clear–he absolutely would not let cells run off with another man
At the peacekeeping force’s temporary camp, Adrian had been there for two full weeks. He stood nutside the tent in an ill–fitting uniform, staring relentlessly at the distant hariza, Sand whipped around him, his lips cracked and bleeding, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“Adnan, how long are you gonna keep this up?” stella stood behind him, clearly exasperated. “Peacekeeping Lon’t some game. We could be under fire any second–this is no place for some rich boy to be hanging around. You’re just gonna get in the way.”
Adrian didn’t respond.
“I’m talking to you!” Stella finally snapped, and only
ly then did Adrian bother to turn around and look at her.
Ever since their confrontation, Stella had completely ignored him. She trained with Lucas, went on missions with him, even switched to a different barracks area, avoiding ©anywhere Adrian might appear.]
She really was done with him. The realization made his chest ught, like someone had stabbed him in the heart. So he’d delayed going home and applied for volunteer work here, using it as a way to get her attention. Sure enough, she’d come to him
Save your breath. I told you–unless you come home with me.”
“Not happening. I’m not gotry back with you.” Stella’s eyes were resolute, refusing to budge. “Want me to go home Dream on, I’m gonna finish the mission my brother couldn’t and whether you stay or go has nothing to do with me anymore. I remind you here again. We’re already divorced–we have nothing to do with each other.”
with that, she inediately turned to leave. Not far away. Lucas waited for her, watching Adrian quietly in what seemed like a challenge
His presence instarstly made Adrian’s jaw clench, a storm hreiding in his eyes. []
Stella… will never let you go. He whispered.]
Late at night, the emergency alert sirens shattered the camp’s silence
Adrian shot up from his cot, bursting out of his tent. The camp was in total chaos–engines roaring, fully geared soldiers scrambling into formation
“What the he’s happening?” He grabbed a soldier running pasi
“Sector B got hit hard! Stella went dark trying to extract her
n–intel says the houdes grabbed her!”
Adrian’s world stopped “What? I’m going after brett“]
יה
“Are you inane?! You’ll get yourself!!“]
Tiui Adrian was already moving throwing in body armor and jumping into a thare, peeling out of camp
One thought hammered through his skull he couldn’t lose her…
Me machile, in the enemy’s dark laserpent, Stella was tied to a chair,
stens fading []
“Lal time I’m asking–where are the peacekeeping force’s defensive potion?” & scarred man pressed his gun barrel under her chin
She managed a bitter amie, spitting blood. “You wanna know? in your dreams”)
The man Bew into a rage, jamming an iron rod into her stomach. The pain made Stella curl up, but sheba down hard on her lip, refusing to make a sound. The man sneered. gesturing to his men. Tough girl, huh? String her upt
Hough rope cut into her wrists as they hosted her into the air. Paby crashed over her in waves
A her consciousness began to slip, she dimly heard explosions outside, followed by rapid gunfire and screams]]
“It’s a raid!!” someone shouted.]]
Then the basement door was kicked open a dark figure bursting in and taking our the guards with two precise headshots|||
Through the smoke, Stella met a pair of familiar eyes was Lucas!
He pulled off his tactical mask, revealing his sharp features, his combat gear soaked with sweat, the bandage on his right shoulder already stained red with blood.]
To here.” He cut the ropes caching her as she collapsed.)
Stella weakly grabbed his collar. “What about the others? Are they okay? ||
“They’re safe, don’t worry Lucas lifted her onto his hack, his voice low: “Hold on tight. ||
She pressed against his back, hearing his pounding heartbeat. Gunfire grew closer as Lurns carried her out of the basement, running straight into enemy reinforcements.
He held her stendy with one em while ring with the other, bullets whisting past their ears–the situation was beyond dangerous.
“I’s the risky, put me down.” Her volen shook, but Lucas kept reassuring her with a smile, teifing her not to be strait.]]
Tom brother owed me his life. You just paid it bark” with that, be charged straight into the crossfire||
