The helicopter drew closer to the rooftop, its blades whipping the air with such force that it felt as though it could knock everyone off their feet. Katelyn was caught in the intense wind, unable to move.

The cabin door swung open, and a rope ladder was dropped, followed by a man in black, armed with a submachine gun. He aimed the weapon directly at Katelyn and her group.

With the tactical advantage from above and the deadly weapon in his hands, it wouldn’t take long before they were all in serious danger.

“As long as you comply, I won’t shoot,” the man warned coldly. “But make a move, and I’ll turn this into a massacre.”

The wind howled so fiercely that they struggled to keep their eyes open. Vincent gritted his teeth, trying to stay upright. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“Someone you shouldn’t be questioning,” came the bold reply. Meanwhile, the assassin used the distraction to climb the rope ladder.

Their ive was clear—to rescue their comrade. Once he was safely aboard, the helicopter made a sharp turn and flew off rapidly.

Jaxen clenched his fists, his voice thick with anger. “Are we really going to let him get away just like that? Vincent, can’t we shoot that helicopter down?” His frustration was palpable.

Though killing everyone would cost them any further leads, Jaxen’s desire for retribution was steadfast.

Vincent, however, remained calm and composed. “This won’t happen again,” he said coldly. He refused to let this escape go unpunished. Earlier, despite the disadvantage, he had noticed a distinctive tattoo on the man’s arm—a scorpion.

Katelyn recognized it immediately as well.

Gal n o v el s . com is your destination for fiction

It was the signature mark of Breck’s henchmen.

After Elora’s failed assassination attempt, Breck had clearly sent someone to tie up loose ends—the father and daughter, just as they had suspected. A new suspicion gnawed at Katelyn’s mind. Could Bartley be involved in this as well?

As she lowered her head, lost in thought, Vincent approached her, his gaze softening with concern.

“Are you okay? You’re not injured, are you?”

Katelyn shook her head and glanced at her arm. Although she had moved out of harm’s way in time, the knife had still slashed her sleeve.

“Thank you for saving me again,” she whispered. She felt so deeply grateful, knowing she could never fully repay Vincent in this lifetime.

Nearby, Jaxen approached with a playful smirk, glancing between them both.

“Shouldn’t you thank Vincent properly? He’s come to your rescue more times than I can count, Miss Bailey. Maybe it’s time you show some appreciation?”

As he said this, Jaxen arched an eyebrow and winked playfully.

As Vincent’s close friend, he was eager to see some progress in Vincent’s romantic life. He was curious to watch how the usually reserved and detached Vincent would change when smitten.

Katelyn’s face flushed immediately. She understood Jaxen’s implication all too well, but she was at a loss for words. Vincent, on the other hand, shot Jaxen a piercing look and subtly replied, “Why don’t you enjoy the view from here? It’s quite spectacular, isn’t it? Come next spring, I might just bring flowers to your grave.”

Jaxen felt a chill at the veiled threat, rubbing his arms where goosebumps had formed. He managed a forced smile.

“Actually, I think I’ll skip it. Heights aren’t really my thing.” With that, he made a swift exit down the stairs, eager to escape Vincent’s looming displeasure.

Once Jaxen was gone, an uneasy silence fell between Katelyn and Vincent.

Vincent, usually unfazed in business matters, found himself awkwardly out of his element for the first time. Trying to break the tension, he said, “Don’t mind Jaxen. He’s always like that. He didn’t mean any harm.”

Katelyn’s cheeks were still visibly flushed, and she found herself unable to meet Vincent’s gaze, merely nodding in response.

Inside, she was frustrated with herself. What was happening to her? Why did she blush so easily?

Just the sight of Vincent was enough to make her heart flutter, leaving her puzzled about her emotions. N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find[?]ovel.net

She hadn’t felt this way even when she was with Neil.

After gathering her thoughts, Katelyn eventually followed Vincent downstairs. Jaxen had already grabbed his laptop and was ready to get to work.

Though Jaxen usually had a laid-back, carefree attitude, he knew when to take things seriously.

His hands moved quickly, lines of intricate code filling the screen.

Katelyn watched quietly, noticing that Jaxen was tackling the problem in exactly the way she would.

However, Jaxen’s expression suddenly shifted. “Damn!” he muttered, frustration evident in his tone.

.

.

.