Chapter 9 - The Pain and The PromiseThe next hour was a blur of agonizing pain for Elise and calculated, brutal warfare for Julian.
The sound of the firefight crept steadily upward, transforming from distant pops into deafening, echoing roars as the mercenaries breached the higher floors.
Elise screamed as a massive contraction ripped through her body, tearing away any remaining shreds of her composure.
Julian held her hand in a vice grip, letting her dig her fingernails directly into his skin until he bled, never once flinching away.
“You’re doing perfectly, sweetheart,” he murmured, pressing his lips to her damp forehead.
It was the first time he had used an endearment since she had left, and the sound of it broke her heart all over again.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed between breaths, staring up at him with wide, terrified eyes.
“I’m so sorry I ran away, Julian.”
“Stop apologizing,” he ordered gently, brushing her tangled hair away from her face.
“You did what you had to do to protect our child.”
“I am the one who is sorry.”
He looked deeply into her eyes, laying his soul completely bare in a way the ruthless syndicate boss never did.
“I was so consumed with running the empire, I didn't see the snakes in my own house,” he confessed bitterly.
“I failed to make you feel safe, and that is my greatest sin.”
Another explosive charge detonated, this one much closer, rattling the surgical instruments on their metal trays.
“They are on the forty-ninth floor, Boss,” Marcus yelled over the radio, the sound of heavy machine-gun fire drowning out his background.
“We are falling back to the penthouse doors.”
Julian’s eyes hardened, the tender husband vanishing as the lethal killer re-emerged to protect his territory.
He picked up his assault rifle, checking the chamber with cold precision.
“Lock the medical ward doors from the inside, Aris,” Julian commanded, stepping out into the penthouse corridor.
“Do not open them for anyone except me.”
“Julian, please don’t leave me!” Elise cried out, reaching desperately for him.
May you like
He paused in the doorway, turning back to give her one final, searing look.
“I will be right back,” he promised, before the heavy steel doors slid shut, locking her inside.
