Alyssa’s POV
My wrists ached from the rough rope binding them behind my back, and my head throbbed where one of Xavier’s goons had slammed me against a car door.
The smell of leather and expensive cologne filled the air as I was shoved into a chair in Xavier’s grand, ominously lit estate. Ethan was thrown down beside me, his face bruised and his shirt torn.
“Well, well,” Xavier’s voice rang out, smooth and venomous as he entered the room. He looked every bit the devil in a tailored suit, his dark eyes gleaming with malevolence. “The power couple of the hour. I have to admit, I’m impressed. You two have been a real thorn in my side.”
Ethan glared at him, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. “You should’ve killed me when you had the chance, Xavier.”
Xavier smirked, casually adjusting the cuffs of his jacket. “Oh, believe me, I’ve considered it. But where’s the fun in that? No, I think I’ll enjoy this game a little longer.”
I tried to steady my breathing, my heart pounding as I scanned the room for any potential escape routes. The ornate windows were barred, and armed guards stood at every entrance.
“What do you want, Xavier?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I felt.
He turned to me, his smile widening. “Ah, Alyssa. Always so bold, so fearless. I have to say, I admire that about you. It’s almost a shame to see you like this.”
“Cut the crap,” Ethan snapped. “If you’re going to kill us, just get it over with.”
Xavier chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, Ethan, you really don’t understand me at all, do you? I don’t just kill people. I offer them choices. It’s much more… entertaining.”
I frowned, unease crawling up my spine. “What kind of choice?”
Xavier’s gaze locked onto mine, and I felt the full weight of his sadistic nature. “It’s simple, really. Prove your loyalty to me, Alyssa. Show me that you’re willing to make the tough decisions.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He took a step closer, pulling a sleek black handgun from his jacket and holding it out to me. “Kill Ethan,” he said calmly. “Right here, right now. Do that, and I’ll let you live. Refuse, and I’ll kill you both.”
The room fell deathly silent, the air thick with tension.
“You’re insane,” I said, my voice shaking.
Xavier’s smile didn’t falter. “Perhaps. But you don’t have much of a choice, do you?”
I glanced at Ethan, who met my gaze with a mixture of defiance and resignation.
“Don’t do it, Alyssa,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Whatever he’s offering, it’s not worth it.”
Xavier laughed, the sound cold and mocking. “Of course he’d say that. He knows he’s out of moves. But you? You’re smarter than this, Alyssa. You’ve always known how to survive. This is your chance to prove it.”
My hands trembled as he pressed the gun into my bound palms. The cold metal felt heavier than it should have, its weight a grim reminder of the impossible decision I faced.
I turned the gun over in my hands, my mind racing. If I hesitated too long, Xavier would see through me. But if I acted too quickly, I might lose the element of surprise.
“I’m waiting,” Xavier said, his tone laced with impatience.
“I…” My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to sound more confident. “I need time to think.”
Xavier arched a brow, clearly amused. “Time? Oh, darling, we’re fresh out of that.”
I lifted the gun, my hands shaking as I pointed it at Ethan. His eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t flinch.
“Do it,” Xavier urged, his voice a low, hypnotic purr. “Pull the trigger, Alyssa. Show me you’re not weak.”
Ethan’s voice cut through the haze. “Alyssa, don’t. This is exactly what he wants-to break you.”
“Shut up,” Xavier snapped, his calm veneer slipping for just a moment.
I tightened my grip on the gun, my finger hovering over the trigger. Time slowed, every second stretching into an eternity.
Then, in one fluid motion, I spun on my heel and aimed at Xavier.
The shot rang out, deafening in the confined space. Xavier stumbled back, clutching his shoulder as blood seeped through his pristine suit.
“You bitch!” he roared, his expression contorted with rage.
“Run!” I shouted, grabbing Ethan by the arm and dragging him toward the nearest exit.
The guards sprang into action, but Ethan was faster. He tackled one of them, disarming him with brutal efficiency.
“This way!” he barked, shoving me toward the hallway as more men poured into the room.
We sprinted down the corridor, the sound of shouting and gunfire echoing behind us. My lungs burned, and my legs felt like they might give out at any moment, but I didn’t dare stop.
“Do you even know where you’re going?” Ethan yelled, his voice tinged with frustration.
“No,” I admitted, glancing over my shoulder. “But anywhere’s better than here!”
We rounded a corner and skidded to a halt. A dead end.
“Great,” Ethan muttered, turning to face the oncoming guards. “Just great.”
I scanned the walls, my eyes landing on a narrow vent near the ceiling. “There!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said, but there was no time to argue.
With a boost from Ethan, I climbed into the vent, the metal biting into my hands and knees as I crawled forward.
“Move faster,” Ethan hissed from behind me.
“I’m going as fast as I can!” I snapped, my voice echoing in the confined space.
The sound of footsteps grew louder, and I knew we were running out of time.
Finally, the vent opened into another room, and I tumbled out, landing hard on the floor. Ethan followed, his movements swift and fluid despite his injuries.
“We need to keep moving,” he said, pulling me to my feet.
But before we could take another step, the door burst open, and Xavier’s men flooded in, their guns trained on us.
“End of the line,” one of them sneered, cocking his weapon.
My heart sank, the weight of our situation crashing down on me.
Ethan stepped in front of me, his body tense and ready to fight.
But before anyone could pull the trigger, a loud explosion rocked the estate, the shockwave throwing us all off balance.
“What the hell was that?” one of the guards shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
Ethan grabbed my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “Come on,” he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around us.
And as we slipped away into the smoke and shadows, I couldn’t help but wonder if we’d just traded one danger for another.