Page 54 of Candy Cane Chains

"Julian will find me." The words come out steady despite my racing heart. "He always knows where I am."

Travis slides into the driver's seat. "Shut up about him."

But I know it's true. Julian will be home soon enough and he'll know I'm gone. If he doesn't already. I just hope that he isn't too angry with me for going without him. I should have just let him handle it, trust him to do this.

But fuck, I needed to deal with Travis myself. I wanted to prove to Julian - and me - that I was choosing him, not just stolen away by him.

Julian will come. He's the first person who's ever seen past my carefully constructed facade. The only one who recognized my strength even when I was trying to make myself small. Who pushed me to embrace my darkness instead of hiding it.

The engine roars to life. Travis peels out of the parking lot, taking corners too fast. But I'm not afraid. Julian's taught me how to survive, how to fight, how to endure. And more than that - he's taught me my own worth.

I close my eyes, remembering all the times that Julian promised that I would always have him, that he would always come. I know now that this is no different.

The Mercedes weaves through traffic, but I remain calm. Julian will come. He always does.

28

JULIAN

My phone vibrates against the leather seat. Xander's name flashes on the screen.

"Got them. Traffic cams picked up Travis's Mercedes heading east on Lake Street about twenty minutes ago. Tracked it to a warehouse complex off Canal."

I grip the steering wheel tighter. "Address."

"2461 South Canal. Building's owned by Porter Holdings LLC - shell company Travis set up last year. Looks abandoned from satellite view, perfect place to..." Xander's voice trails off.

"Send me the coordinates." I end the call, already pulling away from the curb.

The Bentley glides through Chicago's evening traffic, every second feeling like an eternity. Ten minutes later, I park a block from the warehouse, hidden in the shadows. From beneath my backseat, I slid out my rifle case. Never know when you'll need one.

Through the scope, I scan the building's windows. Most are boarded up or broken, except for one on the second floor where light spills out. Movement catches my eye. Travis paces back and forth, gesturing wildly, his designer suit jacket discarded on achair. Ivy stands with her back against a concrete pillar, arms wrapped around herself.

My finger twitches near the trigger as Travis steps closer to her. He reaches out, grabbing her chin roughly between his fingers. Her head jerks to the side.

The scope's crosshairs center on Travis's temple. One squeeze and this ends. But Ivy's presence complicates things. Can't risk her getting caught in the crossfire or somehow hurt in the process.

Travis's hand slides down to Ivy's neck, and something dark and primal rises in my chest. The rifle's metal creaks under my tightening grip. No one touches her. No one.

I force myself to breathe, to think past the red haze clouding my vision. Clean. Clinical. That's how this needs to happen. But watching his hands on her, seeing her trapped there... Professional distance slips away with each passing second.

It's time I get inside with them.

Striding away from my car, I slip through a rusted side door, leaving the rifle behind. It's not great for close quarters anyway. The concrete floor muffles my footsteps as I navigate through the dark first level, following the echo of voices from above.

"You're insane if you think I'd ever come back to you." Ivy's voice rings out, sharp and clear. "Let me go, Travis."

"Baby, come on. We both know Julian's just some phase-"

"Don't you dare say his name."

Pride swells in my chest at the venom in her tone. My girl. Fighting back even when cornered. I love knowing that I am the only one she bends to, the only one she wants to please.

I reach the metal stairs, taking them two at a time while staying close to the wall where they're least likely to creak. The idiot didn't pick a very secure location but it's working in my favor.

"You think he actually cares about you?" Travis's voice turns nasty. "Men like that don't do relationships, Ivy. You're just a pretty toy until he gets bored."

"Funny. That sounds more like you."

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