Chapter 2 Thank You For Saving Me

Nicole gave a short, biting laugh and hurled herself right into the thick of the fight, not the slightest hint of fear in her eyes. She threw punches and kicks with a ruthless precision, each blow dropping her opponents fast and hard. No one who hit the ground got up again.

She was so immersed in the fight that she failed to notice someone stepping out of the Bentley behind her.

Meanwhile, the van's trunk creaked open, and a small head poked out, curiosity shining in his gaze.

"That's awesome! Take them down! Don't let up!"

The encouragement rang out, bright and enthusiastic. Nicole's attention flicked toward the voice without a second thought.

Energy radiated from the kid; he didn't look like someone who had been abducted by strangers.

Just then, a flash of steel sliced through the air in front of Nicole. She dipped back, spun on her heel, smashed her elbow into her attacker, then kicked hard, her foot connecting with a sickening thud.

"Ah!"

A sharp crack echoed as bones cracked, followed by a pained howl.

Nicole had taken down all these men in minutes.

A smirk crossed her lips as she glanced back at the young face still in the van.

"You can come out now," she said, gesturing for the kid to approach.

"Man, these guys are useless. Looks like I can't leave Crustin now," Simon Hayes said, making no move to get out of the van.

Something felt wrong. Nicole crossed the distance in a few strides, grabbed Simon by his collar, and dragged him out of the van with little patience.

"Do you really plan on hanging around till someone ships you off for good?" she said.

"Ouch! Watch my neck!"

Dangling in midair, Simon kicked wildly, unable to look down as panic set in.

"Hey there, chubby buddy, can you tell me where you live? Do you know your parents' phone number?"

Nicole set Simon on his feet and playfully poked his cheek. She couldn't help but smile at how cute he was.

A sharp glare shot from Simon's eyes right at Nicole.

Chubby? Was she calling him fat?

That was rude!

Before he could come up with a comeback, Simon's gaze shifted over Nicole's shoulder. The sight of the man nearby made every muscle in his body tense up.

No way... Ayden was here?

If his uncle managed to drag him home, Simon knew he'd be back behind the locked gates of boarding school soon.

Desperation took over. He quickly grabbed Nicole's leg and whispered, "That's the one who paid them to kidnap me. Help me escape now!"

Simon kept his voice low, but Nicole heard every word clearly.

That couldn't be true. As far as she knew, Ayden was just a stranger who happened to be nearby when she needed a car. She struggled to believe he could be behind all this.

Still, she could see that Simon's face was filled with real fear. Maybe there was indeed more to this.

"Hurry, you've got to take him down! If you don't, we're both toast! He's their leader!" Simon added urgently.

Uncertainty flashed in Nicole's eyes, but then, she looked up to see Ayden heading their way, his expression like a brewing thunderstorm.

Planting herself between Simon and Ayden, Nicole braced herself for a confrontation. But Ayden ignored her and reached straight for Simon without a word.

Lightning-quick, Nicole's hand snapped up and landed a precise chop to the back of Ayden's neck.

"Ugh!"

A groan escaped Ayden as his knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, completely out cold.

Victorious, Simon turned away from Nicole, grinning from ear to ear.

For once, even his unstoppable uncle looked absolutely defeated.

Doubt flickered in Nicole's eyes as she glanced at the unconscious man on the ground; something about the whole thing felt odd.

Still, getting the kid home took priority.

Once again, her hand found Simon's collar.

"So, chubby kid, do you remember your parents' phone number?" she asked.

Simon secretly rolled his eyes and then turned to face Nicole.

He managed a smile and said, "Thank you for saving me earlier, but I can make it home by myself."

Nicole's gaze sharpened, her patience wearing thin. "Not happening. We're getting your relatives on the line."

"I don't have any numbers memorized," Simon replied, looking sincere.

Truth was, there wasn't a single other contact stored in his head. Only Ayden's number stuck, but right now, he was out cold.

Nicole sighed in frustration as she checked her watch. Running late already, she decided the police could take it from here.

Without a hint of hesitation, she called the police.

The moment Simon realized what she was doing, he made a break for it. But Nicole's reflexes won out. She grabbed his collar before he could get away.

"Yeah, hi, I'm close to Southwest Road. Found a van packed with traffickers and rescued a kid. Can you send someone over? I'll wait right here."

A resigned look settled over Simon's face.

His grand escape plan had been crushed by this incredibly strong woman.