The tension outside the warehouse was thick with the scent of impending violence.
Dylan stood at the front, his men forming a deadly circle around him.
His eyes were locked on the building where Richard held Heaven.
Jayden's betrayal burned deep, but that was nothing compared to the rage coursing through his veins at the thought of Heaven being in Richard's hands.
"We go in, take out anyone who stands in our way," Dylan ordered, his voice dangerously calm. "I want Richard alive. He dies by my hands."
His men nodded in unison.
With a simple motion, the assault began.
---
Inside the Warehouse
Heaven flinched as a loud explosion echoed through the building.
The ground beneath her shook.
Gunfire erupted in the distance.
Her heart pounded.
Dylan.
Richard smirked from across the room, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand as if he had been expecting this.
"Right on time," he mused.
Heaven glared at him. "You won't win this."
Richard chuckled, setting his drink down. "Win? Oh, sweetheart, this was never about winning."
He stepped closer, his gaze darkening. "This was about making Dylan bleed."
She tensed as he leaned down. "And you, little dove, are just the perfect trigger."
The door burst open before she could respond.
Jayden rushed in, his face unreadable.
"Boss, he's coming."
Richard straightened, adjusting his cuffs. "Then let's welcome him, shall we?"
He turned to Heaven and, in one swift motion, yanked her to her feet.
She struggled, but his grip was like iron.
"Let go of me!" she spat.
Richard chuckled. "Now, why would I do that?"
With a wicked smirk, he pulled a gun from his belt and pressed it against her temple.
The door slammed open.
Dylan.
His face was carved in ice, his gun aimed straight at Richard.
Behind him, bodies of Richard's men lay motionless.
His blue eyes flickered to Heaven, and for a brief moment, something dangerous flashed in them.
Something possessive.
"Let. Her. Go." His voice was deathly calm.
Richard smirked, tightening his grip on Heaven. "Or what, big brother? You'll shoot me?"
The tension in the room crackled like fire.
Heaven's heart pounded.
She could see it in Dylan's eyes.
He was seconds away from pulling the trigger.
"I warned you, Richard," Dylan said. "Now, you'll regret it."
Richard grinned. "Then take your best shot."
A gunshot rang out.
Silence followed.
And Richard's smirk slowly faded.
Blood dripped from his shoulder as he staggered back, releasing Heaven.
Dylan had shot him.
Not to kill—not yet.
But as a warning.
Before Richard could react, Dylan lunged.
A fist connected with Richard's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.
Dylan stood over him, his gun now pressed to Richard's forehead.
His breathing was slow. Steady. Deadly.
"You took what's mine," Dylan murmured.
Richard chuckled through the pain. "And I'd do it again."
Dylan's finger twitched on the trigger.
But before he could pull it, Heaven's voice rang out.
"Don't."
Dylan turned to her, his eyes flashing. "He took you."
"And killing him won't change that," she said softly.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, Dylan exhaled, stepping back.
"Lock him up."
His men surged forward, dragging a bloodied Richard away.
Dylan turned to Heaven.
She was still trembling, her eyes filled with too many emotions.
Without a word, he closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms.
For the first time, Heaven didn't resist.
Because despite everything—despite the chaos, the fear—one thing was certain.
She was safe.
Because Dylan Martin had come for her.
And nothing would ever take her away from him again.