Tears burned my eyes as I thrashed beneath him, but it was useless. My strength was nothing compared to his. I wanted to scream, but my voice caught in my throat.

Then—

A gunshot.

Bryant's body jerked, his eyes widening in shock before blood bloomed across his chest.

His grip slackened.

I shoved him off me, my hands trembling as I scrambled away. My gaze darted toward the source of the shot.

A man stood a few feet away, a gun still raised in his hand. His dark eyes met mine, unreadable, unwavering.

He stepped closer, lowering his weapon. "Are you alright?"

I could barely nod. My mind was reeling, my body still shaking from the adrenaline.

The stranger knelt beside Bryant’s motionless body and pressed two fingers against his throat. Then he exhaled sharply. "He’s dead."

I stared at him, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. "Who are you?"

"Armani Hector," he said simply. "Angela’s brother."

Angela.

I clutched my chest, relief and confusion washing over me in equal measure. "She sent you?"

He nodded. "She begged me to save you. And now, we need to get out of here before his men find us."

I didn't argue.

Armani led me through the forest, his movements swift and calculated. He knew exactly where to go, avoiding every possible patrol until we reached an abandoned road. A black car was waiting for us.

For weeks, I stayed hidden in his apartment, recovering from everything I had endured. Armani provided me with new clothes, food, and—most importantly—safety.

One day, as I was staring out the window, he finally spoke the words that shattered my fragile sense of peace.

"Angela’s dead."

I spun to face him, my stomach plummeting. "No... no, she—"

"Bryant found out she helped you escape," he said grimly. "He had her shot."

Tears blurred my vision. I clutched the windowsill, my chest tightening with grief. Angela... the only person who had truly cared for me... was gone.

But before I could fully process the loss, Armani turned on the television. My blood ran cold.

Bryant was on the screen.

Alive.

He was giving an interview, his expression solemn as he spoke to the reporters.

"My wife has been kidnapped," he announced. "And I am offering a large reward to anyone who finds her."

I staggered back, shaking my head. "That’s... impossible. I saw him die. You shot him."

Armani’s jaw clenched.