Chapter 49
“Killian, I am not here for games.”
“Neither am I.”
He cast a sharp glance over my shoulder, and I heard them putting their weapons down.
“Go ahead. Shoot,” he said, his voice as smooth as steel. “I promise, afterward, they’ll let you walk. You’ll be the new boss anyway.”
I met his gaze, unflinching. “I don’t need your permission. I want to leave. What I do and do not do has nothing to do with you.”
“I’d advise you to think this through.”
“No. This ends here. And when it does, every Anderson will go with my mother.”
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Before I could react, Killian moved. A blur of motion. My wrist twisted, the gun wrenched from my grip before I even registered the pressure. I retaliated instantly–pivoting, striking out with my elbow, aiming for his ribs. But he sidestepped, his body shifting like water, flowing seamlessly between offense and defense.
I lunged, aiming a sharp kick to his knee, but he blocked effortlessly. His movements were precise, controlled–almost elegant. A calculated step forward, and suddenly, my back slammed against the cold concrete wall, my arms pinned at my sides.
Breathless, I stared at him, my fury burning hotter. Now I understood why this man was the best of the Shadow Knights. He hadn’t even broken a sweat.
“I need you to calm down and think,” he said, his voice low, commanding.
“What will thinking do?” I spat, my breath ragged. “I did the thinking. The plotting. I played it safe. For eight years! And for what?” I laughed, sharp and humorless. “I never even had a chance of winning. The only thing I want now is for the Andersons to burn to the ground.” My voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “Do not try to stop me. If you want to, then kill me.”
Blood pounded in my veins, rage surging like wildfire.
Killian held my gaze, unreadable, unblinking. I didn’t look away. My expression hardened.
“You always try to maintain a human standard.”
“No mercy,” I growled. “I will die, or I will kill them. It’s your choice. What’s better for you?”
It was an ultimatum, and he knew it. He searched my face, but he must have found nothing except cold, unwavering fury.
“Can you do it?” he asked.
“Let go of me,” I said, my voice ice. Each word clear. Unshaken.
I was not burning.
I was the fire.
He released me, his hands dropping to his sides, but his gaze never wavered. I took my gun back from him. At the slightest tilt of his head, the Shadow Knights parted at once, moving away in silent unison.
We walked out together.
The underground facility was a labyrinth of circular hallways, each identical yet subtly distinct—polished white walls reflecting the glow of overhead lights. It was vast, built beneath the surface like a hidden fortress, its corridors humming with the quiet presence of an invisible army. The air smelled faintly of metal, the ever–present hum of servers whispering in the background.
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Chapter 49
As we stepped into what seemed like an exterior chamber a reinforced, high–security exit–thick metal doors sealed the path behind us. The underground headquarters had no windows, only layers upon layers of security, an impenetrable stronghold. Beyond the last checkpoint, a massive garage stretched before us, lined with sleek wehicles but the kind vehicles that blend in the crowd. They were not for attention.
Killian stopped beside a matte black Audi RS7, the only thing I know it’s fast enough.
“Car keys.” I stretched my hand out.
Without hesitation, he placed them in my palm.
I slid into the driver’s seat, buckling in. Before I could start the engine, he moved toward the passenger side.
“I should go alone,” I said.
He raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “I’ve seen it all. What are you trying to hide?”
The garage doors opened automatically. I didn’t answer. Instead, I slammed my foot on the gas.
The road stretched ahead like an endless, dark ribbon. The underground headquarters had been built in the middle of nowhere, far from civilization, and now I had a hundred miles between me and my destination.
The Audi tore through the empty highway, speedometer needle pushing 120 mph. The engine roared beneath me, almost fleeing like I had transferred my wrath in it. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles white.
Storm clouds loomed overhead, casting a shadow over the city skyline in the distance. The neon lights of New York flickered on the horizon.
I didn’t slow down.
I didn’t blink.
By the time I reached the Anderson estate, the wrought iron gates barely had time to creak open before I drove straight through, tires screeching against the pavement.
I killed the engine.
And then I stormed inside.
The guards stepped aside without a word, opening the doors as I approached.
Killian’s footsteps were never far behind–calm, measured. He walked in with me, his strides lazy, as if he were merely observing a show.
Nicolai was the first to appear, his expression dark.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.
“I don’t have time for you. Where are Francesca and Adeline?”
His gaze flickered to the gun in my hand.
“Mila, this is enough. Mother is already upset. And this man has kept us trapped in our own home-”
I scoffed. Oblivious, or pretending to be?
“Get out of my way,” I said, shoving past him.
“Mila!” Nicolai’s voice sharpened. “Stop!”
His hand clamped around my elbow.
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Chapter 49
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I turned–fast. Grabbing his forearm, I yanked him forward, twisting my body. With a fluid motion, I flipped him over my back and slammed him onto the ground. The air rushed out of him in a pained gasp as he landed hard.
1 planted my boot on his chest.
“What the fuck?!” he wheezed, furious.
“Did you know Francesca poisoned me?” I asked, my voice razor–sharp.
His face paled. Stunned.
Footsteps echoed from the staircase. I lifted my head.
Adeline and Francesca stood there–mirror images of each other, except for the years etched into Adeline’s face. Their elegant exteriors had never concealed anything human. Not mercy. Not decency.
My fury coiled tighter.
I flipped off the safety.
A deafening gunshot rang out.
Francesca shrieked, ducking behind Adeline as a framed painting crashed to the floor, the bullet embedded in the wall,
“Are you mad?!” Nicolai shouted.
I turned the gun on him, my finger tightening on the trigger. Another shot. The bullet struck the floor between his legs. He flinched, sweating.
I strode toward Francesca, seized her throat, and slammed her against the wall.
She choked, nails clawing at my grip, her face turning blue.
“Mi…la…” she gasped.
“Let her go!” Adeline’s voice was shrill with terror.
I smirked. “Why? Are you scared?”
Francesca writhed, her breath sputtering.
“Francesca, you have…. amazed me. I almost bowed to your oscar worthy performance, You’ve played me since you were little,” I murmured, tightening my hold. “You can give a Shadow Knight a run for his money.”
“Mila-”
Footsteps approached.
“It’s advised that you stay where you are,” Killian said, His tone was professional. Cold.”
Adeline froze.
I turned back to Francesca, my rage still unsatisfied.
“Who told you to kill me?” hissed. “Or have you always had your own agenda?”
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Mi…la… ple… please,” she sobbed.
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Chapter 49
“Tell me!” I snarled.
“It was Tommen!” Adeline blurted.
I stilled.
“It was Tommen who wanted to kill you.”
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