Chapter 10 A Fragile Freedom

The cold night air hit Emilia like a slap as she and Ethan burst out of the gallery. Her pulse pounded in her ears, adrenaline coursing through her veins as they ran down the empty street.

Ethan's grip on her wrist was firm but not painful, guiding her through the darkness as if he had done this a hundred times before.

"We need to get out of sight," he said urgently, glancing over his shoulder.

Emilia's breath came in ragged gasps. "How-how did he know I was there?"

Ethan didn't slow down. "Because Julian always knows. He has eyes everywhere."

Her stomach twisted. Julian had been watching her. The entire time.

A distant siren wailed in the night. Not police-security. Julian's security.

They turned a corner into a dimly lit alley. Ethan slowed, pressing her against the brick wall, his hand bracing beside her head as he peeked around the edge.

Emilia struggled to catch her breath, her body trembling from the rush of fear. "What now?" she whispered.

Ethan exhaled, his jaw tight. "We need to leave the city."

Her eyes widened. "Leave?"

"It's the only way," he said, looking back at her. "Julian isn't going to let you go, Emilia. Not without a fight."

She swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling deep in her chest.

Julian wouldn't stop. She had seen it in his eyes back at the gallery. This was just the beginning.

Ethan studied her face, his gaze softer now. "I know this is a lot," he murmured. "But I swear, I'll keep you safe."

Something in his voice made her chest tighten. He wasn't just saying it. He meant it.

For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of something she had almost forgotten.

Hope.

Ethan's fingers brushed hers. "Come with me."

Emilia hesitated for only a second before she nodded.

She was done being a prisoner in Julian's world.

She was done being afraid.

It was time to run.

---

A Desperate Escape

Ethan pulled her forward, keeping to the shadows as they navigated the darkened streets. Every sound felt amplified-the distant hum of traffic, the occasional bark of a stray dog, the sharp click of their hurried footsteps against the pavement.

Emilia's heart pounded so loudly she was sure Julian's men would hear it.

"Where are we going?" she whispered.

"I have a car stashed a few blocks from here," Ethan replied, his voice low. "We get in, we drive, and we don't look back."

They turned another corner, and Emilia spotted the sleek black car parked in the shadows of an abandoned building. Relief flooded her chest.

But just as they stepped onto the street-

Headlights flashed.

Tires screeched.

A black SUV came barreling toward them.

Ethan cursed, yanking her backward as the SUV skidded to a stop, blocking their path. The back doors flew open, and two men in dark suits stepped out, their expressions cold and unreadable.

Julian's men.

"Get behind me," Ethan ordered, pushing Emilia behind him. His entire body was tense, coiled like a predator ready to strike.

One of the men, broad-shouldered with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. "Mr. Cross wants her back. Now."

Ethan scoffed. "Yeah? Well, that's not happening."

Scarface smirked. "You really think you can fight us off?"

Ethan's fingers twitched at his side. Emilia barely had time to register the movement before he lunged.

A fist connected with Scarface's jaw, the sickening crunch of bone-on-bone echoing in the night. The second man moved to intervene, but Ethan was faster. He twisted, landing a sharp kick to the man's ribs, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Get in the car!" Ethan barked at Emilia.

She didn't hesitate.

She yanked the car door open and scrambled inside, her hands shaking as she fumbled with the seatbelt.

Ethan slammed the driver's door shut and threw the car into reverse, tires screeching as they sped backward onto the main road.

The SUV roared to life behind them.

"They're following us!" Emilia gasped.

Ethan didn't take his eyes off the road. "Yeah, no kidding."

He shifted gears and slammed on the accelerator. The car lurched forward, the city lights blurring past them.

Emilia clutched the seat, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "What do we do?"

"We lose them."

Ethan took a sharp turn, tires screeching. The SUV followed, relentless.

He cursed under his breath. "Hold on."

Before Emilia could ask why, Ethan jerked the wheel hard to the right, sending them flying down a narrow alley.

The SUV tried to follow-

But it was too big.

The side of the vehicle clipped a dumpster, and with a deafening crash, it spun out, slamming into the alley wall.

Ethan didn't slow down. He kept driving until the city lights faded behind them and the road stretched empty ahead.

Only then did he exhale.

"We did it," Emilia whispered.

Ethan glanced at her, his eyes dark. "Not yet."

---

They drove for miles, leaving the city far behind. The tension in the car was thick, the weight of what had just happened settling over them.

Emilia stared out the window, her mind racing. "What now?"

Ethan's grip tightened on the wheel. "We find somewhere safe. Somewhere Julian won't find us."

She hesitated before asking, "And then?"

He was silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Then we figure out the truth."

Emilia swallowed. The truth.

The pieces were starting to come together, but there were still too many gaps. Too many questions.

And the biggest one of all-

Why had Julian been willing to go to such extremes to keep her?

Ethan glanced at her again, his voice softer this time. "You okay?"

She nodded, but it was a lie.

Because for all the danger she had just escaped

Something told her the real fight was only just beginning.