Chapter 8 - The Price of Freedom
"Don't come near me!" I backed up against the headboard, grabbing a heavy brass lamp from the nightstand.
Adrian laughed, a dry, hollow sound that chilled my blood. "Put the lamp down, Ava. I didn't come here to kill you. I came to take you. We have a flight waiting at a private airstrip. You and I are going to start over in South America."
"I would rather die," I said fiercely, raising the lamp.
"That can be arranged," a voice spoke from the doorway.
Adrian spun around.
Ethan was standing in the doorway. He was drenched in sweat, holding a bruised shoulder, but his eyes were fixated entirely on Adrian. Behind Ethan, the estate was eerie and quiet—he had bypassed his compromised security team to come directly to my room.
"Ethan, run!" I shrieked. "He has a gun!"
Adrian raised the silenced pistol, aiming it directly at Ethan’s chest. "Ah, Mr. Carter. The savior arrives. You've ruined my life, ruined my career, destroyed my reputation. But taking her back will make up for all of it. Step aside, or I put a bullet in your heart."
Ethan didn't step back. Instead, he took a slow, deliberate step forward, putting himself directly between the barrel of the gun and my bed.
"If you shoot me, Vaughn, every silent alarm in this county triggers," Ethan said, his voice terrifyingly calm, completely devoid of fear. "The perimeter is already surrounded by state troopers. You have about ninety seconds before this room is filled with armed tactical officers."
"Then I'll kill you first and take her corpse!" Adrian snarled, his finger tightening on the trigger.
"Wait!" I yelled, throwing myself off the bed and stepping between Ethan and the gun. "Adrian, stop! If you let him live... I’ll go with you! I’ll sign whatever statement you want! I’ll tell the court I lied about everything! Just don't kill him!"
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Ethan’s eyes widened in horror. "Ava, no! Don't you dare!"
Adrian smiled, a triumphant, sickening smirk. "Look at that, Ethan. She’d give her life to save yours. Such a tragic little romance." He lowered the gun slightly toward my heart. "Walk to me, Ava."
