8. Into the Lion's Den

Faye's pulse raced as Alaric's grip tightened around her wrist, pulling her toward the back exit of The King's Court. Behind them, Nikos moved like a shadow, his sharp eyes scanning every corner of the club. The tension in the air was suffocating, and Faye couldn't shake the feeling that Meline's people were already closing in.

"Where are we going?" she hissed, trying to keep her voice low as they maneuvered through the hidden hallways of the club.

"To a place they won't think to look," Alaric replied, his tone clipped, not bothering to look at her. He was in full control, his mind calculating every move, every possible threat. The side of him that once made her fall for him—the protector—was back, but she couldn't afford to let that sway her now.

"Not even a 'sorry' for dragging me into this?" she muttered bitterly, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation.

Alaric shot her a glance but said nothing, his jaw tight. He led them through a narrow, dimly lit corridor that ran along the side of the building. The muted thrum of the city outside was barely audible through the thick walls. Faye's heartbeat matched the pace of their hurried footsteps. She had to keep her head straight.

The truth was, no matter how much she resented Alaric for everything—his manipulation, his coldness—she wasn't stupid. She knew she needed him now more than ever. Meline was out for blood, and Faye was in the crosshairs.

Nikos slowed as they neared a steel door at the end of the corridor. "We need to be quick. There's a car waiting a block away."

Faye felt the cold air hit her face as they stepped outside into a dark alley. The city beyond was still alive with neon lights and the faint hum of nightlife, but here, in the shadows, everything felt ominous, like they were being watched. She had never been more aware of how dangerous the streets could be.

Alaric walked ahead, scanning the area, his hand still wrapped around her wrist as though he could anchor her in place. "Stay close, Faye."

She bristled at his command but didn't pull away. Instead, she glanced at Nikos, who had taken position behind them, his hand casually resting on the gun holstered at his side. There was something unsettling about how calm they both seemed, as if they had done this a thousand times before.

They reached the waiting car, a sleek, black sedan with tinted windows. The driver gave a curt nod as Nikos opened the back door. Alaric nudged her forward. "Get in."

Faye slid into the car, the leather seats cool against her skin. She couldn't help but glance over her shoulder as Alaric followed, shutting the door behind him. Nikos took the passenger seat in front, giving quick instructions to the driver before the car pulled away from the alley and into the bustling streets.

The silence in the car was oppressive. Faye's thoughts swirled as the city passed by in a blur of lights. She glanced at Alaric, sitting beside her, his gaze fixed out the window, his face as hard as stone.

"Where are we going?" she asked again, her voice quieter this time.

Alaric turned to face her, his eyes dark and unreadable. "A safe house on the outskirts of the city. You'll be protected there until we figure out our next move."

"And what if I don't want to hide?" she shot back, her defiance flaring up despite the danger. "I'm not going to be your prisoner, Alaric."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not doing this to control you, Faye. I'm doing this to keep you alive."

Faye's anger simmered just beneath the surface. "You always think you know what's best for me, don't you? But you don't get to decide how I live my life."

Alaric's expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something that almost looked like regret. "You're right. I don't. But this isn't about control, Faye. It's about survival. Meline won't stop until she destroys you, and she's not playing by any rules."

Faye looked away, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew Alaric wasn't lying. She had seen Meline's fury firsthand, had felt the weight of the slap she had delivered in front of everyone. In Meline's world, humiliation was a death sentence, and Faye had signed her own warrant. But still, the thought of being stuck in Alaric's orbit again made her stomach churn.

"You're not doing this just to protect me," Faye whispered, turning back to him. "You're doing this because you need to control everything. You can't stand not being in charge."

Alaric didn't flinch. He simply stared at her, his face unreadable. "Believe what you want."

The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unresolved emotions. Faye felt her pulse quicken, but before she could say anything more, the car jerked suddenly, the driver slamming on the brakes.

"What the hell?" Nikos barked, looking out the front window.

Faye's heart leapt into her throat as she saw what had caused the abrupt stop—a group of black SUVs had blocked the street ahead of them, their windows tinted, engines idling ominously.

"They found us," Nikos muttered, his hand already moving toward his gun.

Alaric cursed under his breath, his entire body tensing. "Get ready," he growled, turning to Faye. "Stay down."

The words barely left his mouth when the doors of the SUVs swung open, and armed men poured out, surrounding their car with ruthless precision. Faye's breath hitched as she ducked low in the seat, her heart racing.

Everything was happening too fast—Meline's men, the threat of a violent confrontation, and the suffocating realization that no matter what she did, she couldn't escape the chaos surrounding Alaric.

Gunshots rang out, shattering the windows of their car.