Nico loosened his tie with his left hand as he sped through the traffic. He was on his way to the airport. Yelena would already be moving.
His phone buzzed. The screen lit up. He glanced at it for a second before stepping on the gas. Adrenaline pulsed through his veins. His heart pounded fast and uneven.
He couldn't afford to lose her.
The phone vibrated again. This time, a call. Annoyed, he reached for the phone and picked it up.
"Aleksei..." He said, his voice low.
"You lost her." Aleksei sounded out of breath.
Nico paused. "I'll find her." His voice was controlled. He gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"I already sent my men. She won't leave for Russia unnoticed."
"Okay." The call ended.
Nico tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he sped through the last stretch of road. The airport terminal came into view. Cars lined the entrance. Security lights flashed. People moved in and out like everything was normal.
But it wasn't.
He slowed down just enough before pulling up at the side. His eyes scanned the area quickly.
Then he saw them.
Black SUVs parked near the private terminal.
His jaw clenched. He stepped out of the car, shutting the door hard behind him. "Nico," one of his men said through the earpiece. "We're close."
"Be ready," he replied under his breath. He walked forward slowly. Calm. Controlled. Careful enough not to cause a scene. But his eyes were sharp. Watching. Waiting and calculating the right time to strike.
A car door opened. Then another. Men stepped out first, armed and positioned surrounding him. Nico didn't stop walking. Then she stepped out.
Yelena. And Nika.
Nico froze for a second.
Nika looked weak, barely standing. Yelena held her firmly, one arm around her, a knife pressed dangerously close to her neck.
His chest tightened.
"Nico," Yelena called out, her voice calm.
He didn't respond immediately. His eyes stayed on Nika.
"You came alone," she added.
A faint smirk touched his lips. "Did I?"
Vadim stepped forward protectively, raising his gun and pointing it directly at Nico. "Don't move."
Nico finally looked at him. "You really think this will end well for you?" he asked quietly.
Yelena's grip on Nika tightened slightly. "Drop your weapon."
"I don't have one," he replied calmly.
"Don't play games with me," she snapped.
Nico took a small step forward. The knife pressed closer to Nika's skin. He stopped. His jaw tightened. "Let her go," he said.
"No."
Silence stretched between them. Heavy and tense.
"You're not getting out of here," Nico added, his voice low.
Yelena let out a small laugh. "You should worry about yourself." Vadim adjusted his stance, his finger tightening on the trigger.
Then—
Gunshots rang through the air. Loud and sharp. Echoing through the terminal. Everything happened at once. Men dropped. People screamed and ran in different directions.
Chaos broke out.
Nico's men—
They had arrived.
Vadim fired back immediately, pulling Yelena behind cover. Nika stumbled slightly in her grip.Yelena tried to drag her away. "Move!" she snapped impatiently.
But Nico was faster. He rushed forward through the chaos, dodging the gunfire. One of Yelena's men aimed at him but Nico knocked the gun away and drove his fist into his face, sending him crashing to the ground.
Yelena pulled Nika closer, trying to retreat toward the car. The knife was still at her neck. "Stay back!" she warned.
But Nico didn't stop. He closed the distance quickly. Too quickly. Yelena tried to turn but he was already there. He grabbed her wrist hard, twisting it. The knife slipped from her hand and clattered to the ground.
Nika gasped softly as she was pulled away from her. She was gaining her consciousness slowly. Nico didn't waste a second. He pulled Nika into him, one arm wrapped tightly around her.
"You're safe," he muttered under his breath. Even if he didn't fully believe it.
Yelena staggered back, her expression dark.
Gunshots still rang out around them. Vadim tried to step in again but Nico's men closed in, forcing him back.
Yelena glared at Nico. "This isn't over," she said coldly.
He didn't say a word.
For a second, they just stared at each other.
Then she turned. "Go!" she shouted. Her men fell back with her, retreating quickly. Within seconds, they were gone.
The noise slowly died down. Nico looked down at Nika. Her body felt weak in his arms. Her eyes barely open. "I've got you," he said quietly.
He didn't let go.
The ride back was silent. Nika rested against him in the backseat, her head leaning against his shoulder. His hand stayed around her the whole time. Firm and protective.
No one spoke.
When they got home, Nico stepped out first and carried her inside carefully—like she might break. He didn't stop until they reached his room.He placed her gently on the bed.
For a moment, he just stood there, looking at her. His jaw tightened. His hand ran through his hair slowly.
"They touched you…" he muttered under his breath. His expression darkened.
Whoever was behind this, they were going to regret it.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly. The light was too bright. She turned her head slightly, her brows knitting in confusion.
How did she get here?
Panic hit her. She tried to sit up but pain shot through her neck. She fell back, a small gasp escaping her lips.
Nico sat beside her watching her the whole time. He sat on the edge of the bed, his palms clasped together as he studied her.
"Where am I?" She finally noticed his presence.
"In my room."
He stood up, grabbed a bottle of pills and a glass of water, and walked back to her. He held them out.
She froze.
Then slowly moved back, pulling the sheets closer to her body. "What did you do?" Her gaze was fierce.
A small smile touched his lips.
"What do you think?"