Free Web NovelChapter 152: Chapter 152: Safe Havens
The heavy silence inside the Mercedes was suddenly broken by the sharp, metallic vibration of Alexander’s phone. He smoothly pulled the device from his jacket pocket with his left hand and pressed it to his ear.
"I have the girl," stated Marcus over the line, his breathing unusually heavy, tight, and ragged. "But that stray bullet from the firefight... the adrenaline just completely wore off. My leg is locking up and the pain is a bitch. I can’t carry her out of here. Bring the car closer to my position."
The physical toll of the ambush was finally catching up to his friend. Marcus was as tough as steel, but a high-caliber graze followed by a brutal car crash was enough to hinder even the strongest soldier once the survival instinct settled down.
"Understood. Hold your position," stated Alexander, his voice perfectly calm and steady as he ended the call.
He smoothly slid over the center console from the passenger side, ignoring the white-hot flash of agony that shot through his right shoulder as he took the steering wheel with his left hand.
In the back seat, Serena gasped, her hands instantly flying to the headrest as she panicked. "Alex, what’s happening? Are they coming back? Please tell me those men aren’t coming back!"
"Tranquila, Serena. Todo terminó," stated Alexander, his deep voice carrying a low, unyielding melody that instantly forced a fragile stillness over her frantic mind. "Marcus has the girl. The danger is completely gone. I am just moving the vehicle to pick them up."
He shifted the Mercedes into drive, navigating the dark, desolate alleyways using only the dim parking lights. He carefully rolled the luxury vehicle toward the rear entrance of the primary shipping depot.
Through the shattered passenger window, Serena watched with wide, anxious eyes as two figures emerged from the shadows. Marcus was limping heavily, his jaw tightly clenched as he dragged his injured leg, but his large arm was still firmly wrapped around Emma’s shoulders to keep her steady. Emma was trembling violently, her face pale and streaked with tears, completely overwhelmed by the horrific ordeal. freewёbnoνel.com
Alexander brought the car to a smooth halt right in front of them, popping the rear doors open from the dashboard console.
"Get inside," stated Alexander, checking the mirrors with an absolute, sharp focus.
Serena quickly slid over to make room as Marcus guided the traumatized girl into the back seat. The moment Emma sank into the leather interior, Serena instinctively reached out, her initial spoiled demeanor completely replaced by a protective, shared vulnerability as she wrapped her arms around the trembling girl, holding her tight.
Marcus let out a low, guttural groan as he threw his massive frame into the front passenger seat, slamming the door shut with his good leg.
"Let’s get the hell out of here, Alex," muttered Marcus, his forehead covered in a thick layer of cold sweat as he leaned his head back against the rest, his hand tightly gripping his bleeding thigh.
Without a word, Alexander slammed his foot onto the accelerator, the powerful Mercedes roaring to life as it tore away from the dark industrial warehouses, heading straight back toward the safety of the main city grid.
Inside the cabin, the heavy atmosphere had completely shifted into a deep, exhausted stillness. Emma had stopped sobbing minutes ago; the sheer psychological trauma and physical exhaustion had finally taken their toll, and she had slipped into a deep, unconscious sleep, her head resting heavily against Serena’s shoulder.
Serena sat perfectly still in the back seat, her arms securely wrapped around the sleeping girl. She didn’t complain about her ruined dress, she didn’t pout, and she didn’t utter a single spoiled remark. She simply stared out the window, her young face carrying a newfound, quiet maturity.
Up front, Alexander kept his left hand firmly on the steering wheel, his face an absolute mask of stone as he ignored the rhythmic, throbbing agony in his right shoulder. Beside him, Marcus had completely leaned his seat back, his eyes closed as he focused entirely on managing his breathing against the fierce pain in his leg.
Within twenty minutes, the vehicle smoothly rolled back through the large iron gates of Professor Isabella’s luxurious estate, coming to a final halt right in front of the grand entrance.
The heavy front door of the mansion flew open instantly. Isabella sprinted down the concrete steps, her face pale, her eyes red, and her entire body trembling with a frantic, desperate hope.
Alexander smoothly killed the engine and popped the rear doors. Marcus forced his eyes open, groaning softly as he shifted his weight to open his door, stepping out onto the cobblestones with a heavy, pronounced limp. He reached into the back seat, carefully scooping Emma’s unconscious but entirely stable body into his massive arms.
"Emma! Oh my god, Emma!" cried Isabella, her voice breaking into a violent, choked sob as she rushed forward, her hands frantically touching her daughter’s face, her chest heaving as she verified the steady rise and fall of the girl’s breathing. "Is she... is she okay? What happened to her?!"
"She’s completely fine, Isabella," stated Marcus, his deep voice carrying a low, reassuring rumble as he carefully carried the sleeping girl up the steps. "She’s just completely exhausted and passed out from the stress. She doesn’t have a single physical injury. Let’s get her inside."
Isabella nodded frantically, her tears flowing freely as a profound, overwhelming wave of gratitude washed over her features. She looked over Marcus’s shoulder toward the car, her eyes locking onto Alexander, who was sitting quietly in the driver’s seat, his face shadowed by the dim interior light.
"Thank you... thank you so much, Alex," whispered Isabella, her voice trembling violently with absolute devotion. "I don’t know what I would have done... I owe you everything."
"Get her upstairs and let her rest," stated Alexander, his tone remaining cold, professional, and entirely grounded. "We’ll handle the rest of the details tomorrow." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Isabella gave a sharp, thankful nod, quickly turning around to guide Marcus inside the grand residence. The heavy wooden doors closed behind them, leaving the driveway in a quiet, peaceful silence once more.
