Page 60 of Felix

“Right,” I agree, shaking off the violent encounter like a predator refocusing on its prey. We’re here for Aurora, and nothing will stand in our way. Not now, not ever.

“Let’s check these rooms,” Angel says, his voice as determined as mine.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter, the sweat dripping off my brow as Angel and I clear two rooms. My heart is pounding in my chest. Every inch of this place reeks of darkness and pain.

“Shit,” Angel hisses when we crack open the third door. A little girl, no older than ten, is tied up, looking at us with wide eyes. She isn’t supposed to be part of this fucking nightmare.

“Dammit,” Angel curses, rushing into the room without a second thought. “I got her, Felix. Go find Aurora.”

“Will do.” I grit through clenched teeth, my blood boiling. That masked fucker is going to pay for bringing this innocent kid into the mix. I storm out, heading towards the last room.

The moment I step inside, two things slam into me like afreight train. The stench of burning flesh makes my stomach churn, and there’s Aurora, hanging from the ceiling by her wrists. She’s naked, bruised, and covered in blood. And she’s fucking unconscious.

“Jesus Christ,” I breathe out, my vision going red with rage. “Aurora!”

My hands shake as I fumble with the rope that binds her, trying to get her down. I can’t help but think about how strong she is, how she’s survived so much already, and now this sick fuck has her strung up like some sort of twisted display. This isn’t right. It fucking isn’t right.

“Stay with me, darling,” I plead as I finally manage to loosen her bonds. Her limp body slumps into my arms, and I wince at the sight of her battered skin. “You’ll be okay, Aurora. I swear it.”

Aurora’s limp body weighs heavy in my arms, but I won’t let her down. Never again. I storm out into the hallway, and there’s Angel, like a goddamn reflection of myself. He’s clutching a little girl to his chest, eyes burning with rage as he barrels towards me.

“Shit,” he mutters when he reaches me, his boot slamming into the masked fucker on the ground. The mask skitters across the floor, revealing the bastard’s twisted face. Angel snaps a photo with one hand and fires it off to Niko without missing a beat.

“Fuck this place,” he growls out, turning on his heels and heading back up the stairs. Just then, Matteo and Spike come charging down, bloodlust in their eyes. Matteo stops dead when he sees the girl in Angel’s arms.

“What the fuck? She’s like ten!” he spits out, disgustdripping from every word. His gaze shifts to me, taking in Aurora’s battered form. He swears again, anger flaring. “Come on, let’s go. We got one of the brothers on the second level. He’s dead. Spike put a knife right through his eye.”

“Angel shot one down here, too,” I grit out, adjusting my grip on Aurora.

“Shit…” Spike growls under his breath, “… that leaves one brother unaccounted for.”

We can’t waste time searching the whole goddamn place. My mind races, trying to push aside the fear that grips me. Aurora’s breathing is laboured in my arms, and I know we need to get her out of here as soon as possible.

“Let’s just hope he isn’t anywhere close as we exit,” Matteo mutters, echoing my thoughts. “Keep your eyes peeled.”

“Right,” I snarl, feeling the adrenaline surge through me as we burst into action.

We barrel up the stairs like a pack of rabid wolves, fuelled by rage and the desperation to protect those we care about. Aurora’s pain burns inside me, pushing me forward like a white-hot fire. Every muscle in my body screams with tension, but I force myself to keep going. I have to get her out and keep her safe.

“Stay close,” Angel barks, clutching the little girl tightly to his chest as we reach the top of the stairs. Spike and Matteo are right in front of us, weapons at the ready, scanning every shadow for any signs of danger.

“Front door’s clear,” Spike hisses, peering around the corner. That twisted son of a bitch better not show his face,or I swear to God, I’ll tear him limb from fucking limb. No one hurts Aurora and gets away with it.

“Go!” Matteo shouts, and we charge for the front door, hearts pounding in our ears. The cold night air hits us like a slap in the face as we explode out of that hellhole, but there’s no relief in it. Not yet. Not until we know we’re safe.

“Car’s this way,” I grunt out, adjusting my grip on Aurora as I sprint towards where we stashed the vehicle. The others follow close behind, our boots pounding against the dirt road.

I kick up dust as I tear through the underbrush, Aurora’s limp form cradled in my arms. Her long, black hair whips against my face, her dark eyes closed and oblivious to the danger we’re in. Sweat drips down my brow, mixing with the dirt as I grit my teeth, pushing myself harder.

“Almost there!” I grunt to Angel and Spike, who follow close behind me. “We’re gonna make it!”

At last, we burst from the brush, our car waiting for us like a beacon of hope. A goddamn lifeline. But shit doesn’t go as planned, does it? Standing by the car, his sick grin twisting his face, is the last brother with a gun raised at us.

“Drop the girl,” he snarls, thinking he has the upper hand. He hasn’t met us yet.

“Fuck you,” I spit back, tightening my grip on Aurora.

Without any hesitation, Angel raises his gun one-handed, takes aim, and fires, but the asshole is quick and squeezes off a shot just before ours hits him. I see it all in slow motion—the bullet tearing through the air, seeking its target. And then it slams into Spike’s chest, sending him crumpling to the ground like a sack of bricks.

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