The kitchen was filled with the warm, savory aroma of food as Aeisha stood at the counter chopping vegetables. Lance and Ace hovered nearby, occasionally helping her. Elliot had left early for work, promising to catch up on what he’d missed during his recovery.
“I’ll make something for him later,” Aeisha muttered, more to herself than to anyone else.
“Make sure to include his favorites,” Ace suggested with a faint smile.
“Speaking of which,” Aeisha asked, “does Elliot have any allergies?”
Their answers were vague—Ace shrugged while Lance muttered something about Elliot not being picky. It reminded Aeisha of how Elliot himself often danced around personal questions.
She paused and looked at them seriously. “You’re still wary of me, aren’t you?”
Ace glanced at Lance, letting him take the lead. Lance didn’t hesitate. “I am.”
His honesty stung, but Aeisha nodded. “I understand. I’m still new to all of this, and I get why you’d be cautious. But you should know I trust you both with my safety. If we’re going to protect each other, you need to trust me too.”
They exchanged a look, something unspoken passing between them. Ace finally nodded, though his posture remained tense. Lance seemed thoughtful but unconvinced.
Before the conversation could go any further, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Lance said, heading toward the entrance.
Moments later, the sound of Lance’s voice reached them. It wasn’t his usual calm tone—it was sharp, startled. The room fell silent as they turned to see Lance backing into the room, his hands raised.
Men dressed in black poured in, their movements swift and calculated. Guns glinted in their hands, all aimed at them.
“Hands up,” one of them barked.
Ace stepped in front of Aeisha without hesitation, his frame shielding hers. Her heart raced as she raised her hands, trying to process what was happening.
“We’re here for the girl,” the leader said, his voice cold and commanding.
Ace’s jaw tightened. “Not happening.”
Chaos erupted.
Lance lunged at one of the men, and gunfire filled the penthouse. Ace pushed Aeisha to the ground, covering her as bullets ricocheted off walls and furniture. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst.
The fight was brutal. Lance and Ace fought with everything they had, but they were outnumbered. Blood spattered across the marble floor, and it was clear they were growing weaker with each passing moment.
It all came to a halt when one of the men grabbed Aeisha, pressing the cold barrel of a gun to her head.
“Stop, or she dies,” the leader growled.
Lance and Ace froze, their eyes darting to her. They were battered and bleeding, but their determination to protect her hadn’t wavered.
Before they could react, another man struck them both from behind. Lance crumpled to the floor, unconscious, and Ace followed moments later.
“No!” Aeisha screamed, struggling against her captor.
A needle pricked her arm, and the world spun. Her limbs grew heavy, and darkness consumed her as she collapsed.
Elliot stepped out of the elevator, a bouquet of tulips in hand. He had chosen them after remembering Aeisha’s favorite flower, hoping to surprise her.
But as he reached the entrance of the penthouse, his steps faltered. Blood smeared the doorframe.
A chill ran down his spine. His heart pounded, a mix of fear and dread spreading through him. He threw the door open, his eyes scanning the scene inside.
The once-pristine penthouse was in shambles. Furniture was overturned, bullet holes marred the walls, and bloodstains trailed across the floor.
“Aeisha!” Elliot called, his voice laced with urgency.
No response.
He moved quickly, searching every corner of the penthouse, his desperation growing. Finally, he found Lance and Ace lying on the floor near the kitchen.
“Get up!” Elliot barked, shaking Ace by the shoulder.
Ace groaned, his movements sluggish. Blood trickled from a cut on his forehead as his eyes fluttered open.
“Where’s Aeisha?” Elliot demanded, his voice a mixture of fury, fear, and anguish.
Ace’s face twisted in guilt. “They… they took her away.”
Elliot froze, his mind flashing back to a memory he had buried deep—a younger version of himself finding his parents dead, their lifeless bodies sprawled in pools of blood. The same helplessness and rage he felt then surged through him now.
“They who?” Elliot growled, his hands gripping Ace’s shoulders tightly.
Ace shook his head weakly. “Didn’t… see. Too many of them. They wanted her.”
Elliot clenched his jaw, his breathing ragged. The tulip bouquet fell from his hands, forgotten on the blood-streaked floor.
He stood, fists trembling at his sides. His mind was already racing with plans, but the gnawing fear for Aeisha’s safety clouded his judgment.
Lance stirred, groaning as he regained consciousness. Elliot turned to him, his voice low and dangerous. “Find out who did this! I want them dead before sunrise! Find Aeisha! Find her!”
Lance nodded weakly, his resolve matching Elliot’s fury despite his injuries.
Elliot’s gaze hardened as he looked toward the penthouse door. Whoever dared to take Aeisha would pay dearly. He swore to himself that he would bring her back—no matter the cost.
