Free Web NovelChapter 186: Chapter 186
Kyra’s POV
I closed the last file on my father’s company paperwork and leaned back in my chair with a sigh of relief. The Monroe Group finances were finally in order.
Sylvia purred contentedly in my mind at our accomplishment.
"We’re making progress."
My phone rang, Phoebe’s name flashing across the screen. I answered quickly, tucking it between my ear and shoulder.
"Hey Phoebe, what’s up?"
"Kyra! I found the perfect school for Snow!" Her excitement bubbled through the phone. "Can I come show you? I’m literally five minutes from your office."
"Of course," I smiled. "I just finished up here anyway."
Ten minutes later, Phoebe burst through my office door, iPad in hand and face glowing with enthusiasm.
"Look at this place," she exclaimed, dropping onto the couch beside my desk and handing me her tablet.
I studied the images of an impressive private school with modern architecture and manicured grounds. The classrooms looked warm and inviting, with small class sizes that would give Snow the attention she needed.
"The curriculum is amazing, Kyra. All the teachers have advanced degrees, and they have these incredible enrichment programs." Phoebe swiped through more photos. "Plus, it’s only fifteen minutes from Nathan’s company, so you won’t have to worry if there’s ever an emergency."
I nodded approvingly. "This looks perfect. Let’s enroll her there."
Phoebe’s face lit up. "Really? Awesome! Enrollment starts next week, right after your wedding. Perfect timing, actually."
"Thank you, Phoebe. I really appreciate you doing this."
She tucked her iPad away, looking pleased with herself. I studied her for a moment, remembering how terrified she’d been just weeks ago after her experience with Caleb. The fear in her eyes when she thought she might be pregnant had broken my heart.
"Phoebe," I said softly. "How are you doing these days? Really doing? How’s school going?"
She tilted her head, crossing her legs as she considered my question. "I’m okay now. Better, actually." Her smile seemed genuine. "Thanks for asking... and for everything else."
I checked my watch and noticed it was already past noon. "Nathan’s coming to pick me up for lunch. Want to join us?"
"No thanks," she smirked. "I’m meeting friends, and I don’t want to be the third wheel during your romantic lunch date."
"Suit yourself," I laughed.
Nathan arrived shortly after, and after dropping Phoebe off near the café where she was meeting her friends, he reminded her bodyguards to stay vigilant. I watched until she disappeared inside, making sure no one suspicious was following her.
"They’ll keep her safe," Nathan assured me, squeezing my hand before pulling into traffic.
We drove in comfortable silence, his thumb occasionally stroking the back of my hand. When we stopped at a red light, he lifted my hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss.
"I can’t wait for the wedding," he murmured.
But something felt off. A prickle of unease ran down my spine as I noticed the same black motorcycle that had been behind us for the past three blocks. When Nathan turned left, the bike followed. When he switched lanes, it mirrored our movement. freeweɓnøvel.com
"Something’s not right," Sylvia growled inside my head, her hackles raised. "We’re being watched."
I tried to shake off the feeling, but when we stopped at the next red light, the motorcyclist pulled up alongside Nathan’s side of the car, stopping unusually close to our vehicle. Despite the heavily tinted windows, something about his posture suggested he was looking directly at us. My heart rate accelerated as unease crept up my spine.
"Kyra?"
I flinched at Nathan’s voice, turning to find him watching me with concern.
"You okay?" he asked, frowning.
"Yeah," I answered, my voice hoarse. I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself. "Just thought I saw something."
The light turned green and we moved forward. My eyes darted to the side mirror, tracking the motorcyclist who maintained position beside us. My stomach knotted with dread. freēwēbnovel.com
Nathan’s phone rang through the car’s bluetooth system. He tapped the screen to answer.
"Alpha Nathan," came a formal voice I recognized as Detective Marshall, the officer investigating the shooting that had killed Luke.
"Hello, officer. Any updates on the investigation?" Nathan asked, eyes still on the road.
"That’s the problem, Alpha Nathan. The shooter can never speak about it again. He died this morning. Poisoned in his cell."
My breath caught as I exchanged a worried glance with Nathan. His jaw clenched as he pulled into the parking spot in front of our lunch destination.
"Are you sure?" Nathan asked, his voice tight.
"We rushed him to the hospital, but after trying everything possible, the doctor declared him dead."
Nathan closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fuck."
"I called to warn you," the detective continued. "This confirms what we suspected—this isn’t an isolated incident. Your family is in danger, especially your wife. If her suspicion about her uncle’s involvement is correct, you need to take immediate precautions. I’d recommend considering leaving the country temporarily."
Nathan gripped my hand reassuringly, about to respond when my attention snapped to movement outside his window.
The motorcyclist had followed us, stopping just feet away. Through the open visor of his helmet, I caught a glimpse of cold, determined eyes. Then I saw it—the glint of metal as he reached inside his jacket.
"NATHAN, GET DOWN!" I screamed, yanking him toward me.
The motorcyclist raised his gun. Glass exploded inward as gunshots shattered the driver’s side window. I felt a sharp sting in my shoulder as Nathan covered me with his body. Screams erupted outside as more shots were fired. Then, suddenly, silence fell.
The detective’s voice was still shouting from the phone, saying he was dispatching units to our location.
"Kyra," Nathan’s voice broke as his fingers found my bleeding shoulder. His face paled as he examined the wound. "Goddess, no."
"Are you okay?" I gasped, searching his body for injuries.
"You’re bleeding! How can I be okay?" He cupped my face, his eyes wild with panic as they scanned my body. "Where else are you hurt? The baby—"
"I’m fine," I whispered, placing my hand over his. His eyes fixed on my blood-stained fingers, and I watched as the color drained from his lips.
Nathan’s hands shook as he assessed my wound, his Alpha composure completely shattered. "I could have lost you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Both of you."
Nathan swallowed hard, pressed a kiss to my forehead, then pushed open the damaged driver’s door. He rushed around to my side, carefully lifting me into his arms. I glanced around frantically, but the shooter had disappeared.
As Nathan sprinted toward the nearby hospital, I felt his heart hammering against my cheek. My shoulder throbbed, but all I could think was how close I’d come to losing him. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever—not this way.
