The hallway shook under the weight of boots. Aria didn't need to see the attackers to feel them moving in formation, climbing the stairwell like a wave of violence meant for her skin.
Caspian's grip closed around her wrist firm, controlled, and burning with a fury that made her shiver.
"Stay behind me," he said, voice low, deadly, not a request.
Rafael shoved the unconscious attacker aside and swung the stairwell door shut. The lock snapped. The first bang hit a second later. The metal bent like it was made of paper.
Aria flinched.
Caspian didn't.
He stepped in front of her, body rigid, sharp enough to cut the air itself.
"Move," he commanded, pulling her with him.
She ran.
Her pulse thundered, breath catching as they flew down the hallway, Rafael covering their rear. Every thud from the stairwell door echoed in her spine.
Caspian didn't look back once.
He didn't need to.
He walked like a man who'd been hunted before. Like a man who'd survived torture and was willing to burn it down again.
They reached the elevator but Caspian didn't even let Aria look at it.
"No elevators," he snapped.
Rafael nodded sharply. "They've hacked them. Basement's compromised too."
Another bang.
The stairwell door split.
Aria swallowed hard. "Caspian"
"Eyes on me." He caught her chin with one gloved hand, forcing her to meet his stare. His eyes burned dark, furious, terrified in ways he'd never admit.
"Do not panic," he said quietly. "Not now. Not when I need you thinking."
Her breath hitched. "My mom…"
"Later."
That one word sliced the air.
But his hand stayed on her cheek, thumb brushing her trembling skin.
Not gentle.
But grounding.
Then the stairwell door blew open.
"Go," Rafael barked.
Caspian didn't hesitate.
He shoved open the service door to the fire escape, pulled Aria through, and they spilled into the night cold air, sharp, smelling of rain and exhaust.
Below them, two cars idled on the street.
One white and one black.
Exactly as her mother said.
Aria's breath stuttered. "Caspian"
"Keep moving."
He practically dragged her down the metal stairs. Every footstep of the men above echoed like a countdown.
Halfway down the fire escape, gunfire exploded.
Aria screamed as bullets sparked against the railing.
Caspian spun, shielding her with his body, his coat flaring out as he fired back clean, precise shots that forced the gunmen to duck behind the stairwell.
Rafael covered them. "Move! They're trying to flank!"
Aria's legs shook, but she pushed forward.
The street was a blur of shadows and headlights. The white sedan revved once like it was signaling her.
Her mother's voice whispered in her memory.
"Go out the front. The white car. Don't get in the black one".
Aria froze.
What if it really was her mother's contact?
What if it was another trap?
Every possibility slammed into her ribs.
Caspian noticed her hesitation instantly.
He grabbed her waist, pulling her hard against him as another bullet whistled past.
"Aria."
Her name came out like a threat and a prayer.
"You move when I tell you to move."
Her heart cracked. "But…my mom"
He stared her down, eyes cold fire. "I don't care who called you," he whispered harshly. "I'm the one keeping you alive."
Rain dripped from his jawline. His breath brushed her lips, hot despite the cold.
And for a split second just one he let his guard slip, just enough for her to see the fear hiding under his anger.
Fear for her.
Then he pulled away and scanned the street quickly. "Rafael, keep them pinned."
"Already on it."
Gunfire lit up the metal stairs again.
Caspian pushed Aria behind a dumpster, his body shielding hers completely. His breath hitched once against her ear barely noticeable, but she felt it. Felt him.
"Look at me," he ordered.
She did.
His face was inches away. Close enough to touch. Close enough to feel the heat radiating off him like a second heartbeat.
"You trust me," he said quietly, dangerously. "Not her. Not anyone else. Me."
Her chest tightened. "Caspian…"
"Do you trust me?"
His eyes locked on hers dark, unblinking, demanding the truth.
"Yes," she breathed.
She didn't even think before answering.
Something flickered across his features, relief, anger, something deeper.
Then he grabbed her hand.
"Good. Run to the black car."
Her blood froze. "But my mother said…"
"I don't give a damn what she said," he snapped, pulling her closer, his fingers threading with hers. "The white car isn't ours. The black one is."
A shout exploded from above.
"They're coming down!"
Caspian kissed the top of her head not soft, not sweet, but fast, fierce, a brand.
Then
"Rafael! Cover!"
Rafael opened fire.
Caspian yanked Aria forward and they sprinted across the street. Tires screeched. Gunfire cracked behind them. Someone shouted for backup.
Aria tripped as they reached the curb but Caspian caught her, arm locking around her waist.
"Get in!" he growled, shoving the car door open.
Aria threw herself inside. Caspian slid in after her, Rafael diving into the passenger seat.
The driver hit the gas hard.
Bullets shattered pavement behind them.
The building shrank in the rear window. Shadows swarmed the fire escape like insects chasing light.
Aria's chest heaved.
Caspian's hand covered hers before she even realized she was shaking.
He didn't look at her.
He didn't speak.
But his thumb stroked her trembling knuckles once… slow… grounding… possessive.
As if telling her:
You're mine to protect.
Not hers.
Not anyone else's.
Rain streaked the window.
Her phone vibrated.
One new message.
From an unknown number.
Don't trust him.
— Mom
Aria's breath fractured.
Caspian's jaw clenched so hard the muscle jumped.
"We're not done," he said quietly, voice darker than the night swallowing them.
And she knew…
This was only the birth of the storm.