Chapter 17
Veronica’s POV
I struggled against the seat where I was tied to. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t break free.
My screams and pleas came out as muffled sounds because of the cloth tied around my mouth. I didn’t know what to do and it was freaking me
out.
The men paced in front of me, making calls and occasionally glancing at me to make sure I wasn’t going anything funny.
Was Carter really this desperate to keep me that he had to put me through this? WTears welled in my eyes. Maybe I should have just moved to a different country and let him do whatever the fuck he wanted with those papers.
I never thought Carter would go this far,
The pungent smell of gasoline made my heart skip. Oh God! What’s happening? Why am I smelling gasoline? Are they planing to set the place on fire with me in it?
I tried to tell myself that wasn’t possible. Carter wouldn’t want me dead, right?
But then I heard the liquid splashing on the floor and immediately knew this wasn’t the time for assumptions. I needed to beg for my life before it
Was too late.
“Please.” I begged, my voice trembling as the cold liquid splashed around me. Tears gathered in my eyes. They were going to set me ablaze! I have never been so scared in my life. “You don’t have to do this. I don’t know
how much he paid you to take my life but please spare me.”
“Orders are orders.
Then I heard the match light and I burst into tears. Oh God! Oh God! Please save me. Please save me….
The flame dropped, and the fire roared to life. Heat surged toward me, searing my skin as it consumed the ground and I let out a loud scream. The air became thick with smoke, each breath cutting like a knife.
My screams were swallowed by the crackling inferno, my vision blurring as I fell to my knees. I could hear their heavy footsteps retreating to probably escape the burning building.
This was how it ended. Carter had finally won.
But then, through the chaos, I heard him.
“Veronica!” Orthon’s voice was frantic, cutting through the roaring flames like a lifeline.
Yet his voice sounded like it was in a distance. All I could think about were the flames surrounding me and the violent coughs erupting from throat. His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close.
my
“Stay with me!” he shouted, his voice strained as he fought to carry me through the heat.
The world spun as my body slumped against his. “Orthon…” I murmured weakly, my words lost in the blaze.
“I’ve got you,” he said, his voice breaking. “I won’t let you go.”
As the smoke thickened, I felt my consciousness slipping away, his grip the only thing tethering me to life.
1
When I woke up, the sterile smell of antiseptic filled my nose. The white hospital ceiling came into focus, and I blinked slowly, my throat raw and aching.
“Veronica.”
I turned my head, wincing at the pain. Orthon sat beside me, bandaged and his eyes rimmed with exhaustion.
his hand
“You’re here.” I whispered, my voice barely audible. It was real. It was all real.
He came for me!
“Where else would I be?” he said, leaning forward to gently caress my face. “You scared the hell out of me.
Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled to sit up. “You saved me, Orthon. You could’ve died…”
“And I’d do it again,” he said firmly, his gaze locking with mine. “You mean too much to me, Veronica.”
A sob escaped my lips, and I covered my face with my hands. “I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you.”
“Don’t say that,” he said, his voice softening. He reached for my hand, gently pulling it away from my face. “You deserve everything, and I’ll make sure you get it.”
I looked at him, searching those beautiful eyes of his deeply and all I could find was sincerity.
“It was Carter,” I said quietly. “He’s the one who did this.”
Orthon’s expression that of shock at first then it darkened, his jaw clenching. “Carter? Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I saw his men. They didn’t even try to hide it.”
He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “This doesn’t add up. A whole ago, he seemed eager to get you back at all costs. Why would he suddenly want to kill you now? It’s almost like…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “No, it’s too soon to jump to conclusions. But something just doesn’t add up. I can feel it.”
I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. “Orthon, if anyone wants me dead, let’s make them think they succeeded.”
His eyes widened. “What are you saying?”
“Put out a message,” I said, gathering the little energy I had left. “Tell them I’m dead. Let him think he won. It’ll buy us time to figure out what he’s really up to.”
He stared at me, his brows
furrowed. “That’s insane, Veronica. Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”
“I’m asking to stay alive,” I snapped, my voice rising despite the pain. “If we don’t, he’ll come after me again. And next time…“.I paused, shivering at the thought.
Orthon sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine. I’ll make it happen. But only because I trust you.”
I nodded, relief washing over me. “Thank you. And there’s one more thing
Inced.”
“More?” He raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the tension. “You don’t ask for much, do you?”
I couldn’t help but smile weakly. “I need you to talk to my father. Get him to organize a charity gala next month. And make sure Carter is invited.”
His smile vanished. “You want to invite the guy who just tried to kill you. to a party?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Because I’m done running. I’m done being afraid. If Carter wants to play games, I’m going to show him I’m better at them.”
Orthon studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. “Alright. But you’d better be ready for whatever comes next.”
I took a deep breath, my determination solidifying. “I will be. It’s time I stopped letting Carter dictate my life.”
Orthon’s hand found mine again, his touch steady and reassuring. “You’re stronger than you think, Veronica. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I promise.” I said, though deep down, I knew there was no room for caution anymore.
This was war, and I wasn’t about to lose.
