Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

Emma's stomach churned and threatened to empty itself again despite already having done so twice. She was untouched for the moment, but she had no doubt that Marcus would at some point, force himself on her and possibly let his men do the same.

She was going to stop that from happening by any means necessary. Even though her biggest fear upon leaving hadn't been death but rape, her body was hers to control, and Marcus was not going to win.

His cold gaze left no doubt that she was at his mercy, yet he hadn't laid a finger on her. Instead, he'd ranted on about how her existence had cost him and his men the pleasure they'd been denied by the oppressive government. As he raved on, she couldn't help but feel a sickening mix of fear and pity for the man before her.

Marcus paced in front of her, his footsteps punctuating the thick tension like a heartbeat gone awry. His rage was a living thing, pulsating off him in waves that crashed against her skin like frigid water. She could almost taste it on her tongue—bitter and metallic like blood—as he ranted.

It took all her willpower not to cower before him, but she knew that if she showed fear, it would only fuel his rage. Instead, she tried to stay strong and appear unflinching, even though her legs shook under the weight of her body from how she sat, coiled to spring.

Something like a sonic boom ripped through the room, shaking everything and launching tacky painting from a life long gone off the walls. Emma fell sideways on the bed, her heart beating erratically as worries rushed over her.

"What the fuck was that?" Marcus turned away from her briefly to the two other men in the room. "Go fucking find out. I want answers if there's a goddamn bomb going off again."

The men bolted and Marcus locked the door before turning back to her. "I know what the fuck that was. That was your little rescue party. How they found us is easy, why they're so far away is another." He snarled. "No matter, my forces outnumber them. It'll be over soon."

A swirling mixture of terror and hope battled for dominance in her mind, creating a strange cocktail of emotions within her. The fear of being caught and the desperate longing for escape clashed together, making it difficult for her to focus on anything else. It was only a matter of time before her boys found her, that much was certain. All she could do now was help them along by finding a way out as quickly as possible.

The walls seemed to close in on her as she frantically searched for any means of escape, the sounds of approaching footsteps echoing in her ears. She knew she had to act fast or risk being captured by her pursuers.

Marcus snarled, drawing her attention back to him.

Marcus's fists clenched and unclenched before he finally paused in front of her, his dark eyes wild with fury. "Your unit stole everything!"

He hissed, spraying spittle onto her knee and thigh—both of which were exposed after he striped her to just her bra and underwear hours ago.

"My men had pleasure." He stepped closer. "I had pleasure." His lips curled into a hideous smirk. "And now, I have nothing."

"What leads you to believe the men escorting me had anything to do with it?" Emma tried to keep her voice level, calm.

His gaze turned from unhinged to predatory. "They took my power," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "And now I've taken you."

He moved away again, taken by another burst of anger, it seemed.

"They took away my right to have an heir, a legacy!" Marcus seethed, his eyes boring into hers as if it were somehow her fault. "The government never did right by as when we were just living a shitty normal world. Now they've stolen everything.

Despite her terror, Emma's mind raced, searching for a way to reason with him, to appeal to any shred of humanity left in his twisted heart. "Marcus, you don't have to do this," she said, her voice shaking but resolute. "There's enough pain in this world already. You don't need to add to it."

His laughter bounced off the walls, cold and cruel, like the man before her. "Pain? What do I care for pain? I've known nothing but pain my entire life, thanks to them!" He loomed over her, his eyes glinting with madness. "And now, it's my turn to inflict it upon others. You'll be caught in the crossfire, but women were good for nothing but sex and breeding before the bombs, and that's still all you're good for.

Emma's heart sank. She knew then that there was no reasoning with him, no way to make him see the error of his ways. Marcus was consumed by hatred and vengeance, and nothing she could say or do would change that. He was going to destroy her the way she'd feared she would die if she ever left the basement.

But you found them.

Emma tried to focus on the pleasure she'd found days before with Alex and Chris. On the connection with William just this morning. On the way Liam seemed to make her feel like the most cherished person alive. Throughout the journey, Bash changed to be her fiercest protector and the look in his eyes hours ago when he knew he couldn't reach her.

Marcus's lip curled into a twisted smile, and he reached out to stroke her cheek with a calloused finger. "You know, I'm counting your struggle, my dear Emma. The harder you fight, the more satisfying it will be when you finally submit."

His gaze raked over her body like a hungry animal scenting its prey. Revulsion washed over her like an angry wave, seeking to drag her under and ruin her composed indifference that may be her only chance at survival.

Something changed in Marcus's demeanor. His eyes went wide with realization as if he'd had an epiphany. A slow smile spread across his lips as he approached her, stepping closer with each moment until mere inches separated them.

"No," he breathed out softly, "you won't be one of ‘them.' You'll be mine." He reached out to trace a finger along her jawline slowly.

Emma flinched back as if burned but didn't pull away too much or show too much fear as she tried to maintain control over herself in this nightmarish scenario. Panic coursed through her veins like electricity as he leaned in closer still. The smell of stale alcohol on his breath made bile rise in her throat but didn't make her retch.

Closing her eyes tightly for a split second—long enough to pretend it wasn't him, an idea struck her. She knew how she could get away .

Emma, you can do this.

"You know what's better than a struggling woman?" Emma asked, trying to keep her voice low and sultry as her hand beckoned Marcus closer until she stroked her fingertips over his right cheek.

The gleam in his eyes did not leave but the small groan at her touch gave Emma the power in this situation, and Marcus didn't have a clue that she now held the reins.

Emma's heart raced in her chest as she leaned in closer to Marcus, her hand trembling with fear and disgust as it brushed against his pants. She could feel his arousal through the fabric, and a wave of revulsion washed over her. But she knew that this was her only chance to escape from him.

She kept up the fa?ade of being a willing participant, stroking his cheek with one hand while her other hand cupped him through his pants. Her stomach churned at the thought of touching him but she forced herself to stay calm and focused.

"I believe it's a woman ready and willing to give you pleasure," Emma whispered, trying to keep the quiver out of her voice.

Marcus's grin widened, and he reached out to grab her by the waist. Emma tensed but didn't resist as he pulled her closer to him, their bodies almost touching. His hot breath on her face made her skin crawl.

Come on, Emma. Bash showed you what to do. Get him to bear hug you.

"Even more so, what if you unlocked the door? One of your men could walk in any minute and be utterly enthralled and jealous that their leader has something they can earn." Literal bile crept up her throat, but she kept her tone sultry.

"Is that so?" Marcus growled, his voice thick with desire.

Emma bit back a shudder as she nodded, forcing herself to maintain eye contact with him. "Yes. "

He let go so quickly that she almost sagged in relief. "Then maybe we invite an audience."

No, no, no. She prayed her eyes didn't relay her panic. She needed the door unlocked, she didn't need men to stop her.

To her surprise, Marcus merely cracked the door a fraction and twisted the lock so that when it went to close, the bar stopped it, giving her an even easier ticket out.

"I must say, as much as I wanted to watch you struggle, having you desire me is far better."

"I desire to help humanity. You keep me safe, and I'll provide you with what you're looking for." She swallowed. "You look like the type of man who can keep me safe." Emma forced herself to take two steps closer because it meant less distance to the door.

In one swift motion, Marcus pulled her against him, causing Emma's heart to race even faster. The thought of what he might do next made bile rise in her throat, but she pushed it down and focused on keeping him occupied.

Marcus's hands roamed over her body greedily, and Emma fought back tears as she forced herself to continue playing along. Just a little longer , she told herself desperately. Just a little longer and I can make my escape.

"You'll be mine. Just mine. The pretty brunette who five men thought they owned." His breath rushed over her neck and then his hands were gone, making haste with the belt buckle.

The sound of his pants hitting the carpet was gentle, but enough to make certain she understood what happened. She prayed she could keep her gaze where he expected it without actually looking at him.

When his hands went to cup her breast, she spun against him, purposefully creating a slow rub of her body against his crotch. With her back to him, she closed her eyes.

His arms wrapped around her as selfishly as she hoped. Her muscles tensed as she waited for what came next.

Three . . . two . . . one.

Emma jumped, lunging forward just a bit, her movements swift and precise. Landing in a partial squat, both of her heels into Marcus's instep, and her elbow connected with his dick. He doubled over with a snarl and, for a second, released her hold as the main struck. Taking advantage of his momentary release, Emma rotated her right shoulder, her hand slamming into his nose with a satisfying crack.

Marcus was not easily defeated. He retaliated, grabbing Emma's arm and attempting to regain control. She quickly wrapped the same arm around his neck, pulling him off balance. With a fierce determination, she kicked her left foot back, her heel connecting with his groin once again in an upward arc.

This time, Marcus couldn't hold on. He dropped Emma to the ground with a thud.

Without hesitation, Emma scrambled to her feet and ran toward the door. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear anything else. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, propelling her forward as she burst through the door and into the open air. Behind her, she could faintly hear Marcus cursing and struggling to stand. But she didn't dare look back until she was safely out of reach.

Get out of here first. Get away first.

She'd done the easy part. Now, she had to get away.

And thank Bash in the only appropriate way when we're alone.

Despite everything, the thought brought a smile to her lips.

A hail of bullets rang out, the sharp staccato sound piercing the air and sending shivers down her spine. She froze in place, fear gripping her heart as shouts and curses erupted, creating a chaotic symphony that drowned out all other sounds.

Keep moving, she hissed and somehow forced herself forward.

The ground shook violently, and debris flew as the entire third floor shook before a terrifying crash deafened. She lost her footing, pitching forward, launching her at the ground with chin-splitting force. Pain snaked from her face down to her toes, but she pushed up.

Something had just happened to the hotel, and she needed to get the fuck out. A huge swirl of dust.

Emma swallowed hard, her heart pounding against her ribcage like a drum as she forced herself to move faster. She dodged around crumpled bodies and shattered glass, careful not to touch anything that might be contaminated. The air was thick with smoke and sweat, making breathing hard. She could taste it in the back of her throat, coppery and metallic.

Her eyes stung from the stinging of gunpowder and swirling dust residue in the air as she ran for her life. The distant roar of engines blended with the sounds of men shouting orders and guns firing at each other. The stench of blood mixed with burning rubber filled her nose, making her dizzy for a moment before she gagged it back down.

The fog of deafness lifted and was replaced by a cacophony of chaos. She surveyed the scene below and saw only a handful of men left, their movements frantic and wild as they rushed and fired their weapons. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and sweat, the sounds of shouts and gunfire filling her ears.

Finally, she made it to the stairs leading up down a level just as another explosion rocked the building. Dust clouded her vision for a split second before clearing away, revealing a sight that made her heart stop.

Running through the outside hall Emma's lungs burned from inhaling the thick, dusty air. She could scarcely see anything through the dusty haze, but she knew there were stairs ahead. Adrenaline kept her moving, pushed her forward when her legs screamed at her to slow.

Emma's chest heaved up and down rapidly with every laborious breath she took, the sweat beading on her forehead and stinging her eyes as she forced air into aching lungs. The taste of blood was thick in her mouth and metallic in her throat from biting down on her tongue to keep from screaming. Her heart pounded in time with the pounding of her feet against the concrete.

She slammed into something hard, crying out as pain shot through her with a wave of agony. Hands wrapped around her, and she couldn't breathe, believing Marcus caught up to her.

Stars danced before her eyes, and for a moment, all she could do was blink away the spots that clouded her vision. When they cleared, she saw him.

"Bash!"

His lips were pressed into a thin line and he jerked her close, crushing her against him.

"Let me guess, you got yourself into trouble again." His tone was playful, and when she looked, she saw tears in his eyes.

"You saved me." She clung to him for a second longer before letting go.

"No, but we're trying to."

"No, your self-defense. It's how I got away."

His face twisted, and when his lips crashed down on hers, even in the chaos, Emma sighed for the quick second they touched hers.

"We need to move," Liam's familiar voice called a second later, his hand reaching out to take hers as they ran for god only knew what because they'd come from the direction of the stairs.

Chapter

Alex couldn't contain his joy as he watched Emma holding Liam's hand just a few feet ahead of him. A surge of warmth and love filled his heart, overwhelming him with pure delight. They were one step closer.

He'd ask her how the hell she got to them later.

They rushed past him, William following behind. Bash falling into step. Alex brought up the rear because there was no doubt someone would follow them. Emma had come from a room, but he highly doubted she'd been alone.

The sound of footsteps drew his gaze back and he released fire, shooting the man in the stomach before turning back to watch where they were running.

Alex's breathing quickened as he followed behind Bash and Emma to provide coverage should it be needed. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, giving him the rush he'd learned he craved almost as much as he desired Emma.

She stumbled slightly, her curls bouncing backward. Alex didn't need to grab her, Bash saw to it that she never touched the ground. Emma's breath came out in ragged gasps as she clutched at her shirt, probably trying to wipe away tears or sweat from her face as she moved to keep up.

Alex was going to tell Bash to pick her up, but they needed all hands ready to fire if needed.

There was no telling how many more men would be waiting. So many rushed after Chris that Alex had thought it would be a cakewalk fighting off two or three and letting Marcus drown in his own blood with a shot to the neck or something dramatic.

Instead, they'd been met with a fucking full force. Marcus's men were absolutely not all military, but he'd given them a gun and power to suit him.

"Where's Chris?" Emma's strangled cry nearly took Alex down.

"He created a diversion. We're meeting up with him." William spoke quickly, likely knowing Liam couldn't think about Chris or he'd spiral .

Liam's eyes darted, looking for any sign of an ambush or trap while trying to remember if they had taken a wrong turn somewhere despite it being a straight path because fear was in control. The sound of his boots hitting the floor was like a metronome guiding them forward.

Alex's heart pounded in his chest as he assessed the situation. They were trapped, with no apparent way out and the sound of their pursuers growing closer by the second. Their only hope was to buy themselves some time.

Alex's heart hammered in his chest as the men charged, their boots echoing off the concrete walls and making the already thin air feel even thinner. His tongue was thick with fear and adrenaline, his mouth dry. His eyes darted around, taking in every detail, hunting for an escape. The hallway stretched out before them like a trap, brick walls closing in.

They reached the intersection and turned left, finding a narrow door that led to a stairwell—a lifeline of escape if they could only make it there.

The smell of gunpowder and blood filled Alex's nostrils as they rushed down the stairs, their footsteps echoing ominously on the metal steps. Winded gasps escaped their lips, but none of them stopped, pivoting with skill as they moved from the third floor onto the second.

That's when he realized the problem. There was only one set of stairs on each of the motel's four walls, and the landings weren't connected at the corners. They'd moved the wrong way in their desperation—a mistake that was very unlike Liam's, but Alex wouldn't point that out.

"The stairs are behind us! Remember we ran after the second flight, we need to double back. They don't connect. We needed a fucking map."

"Fuck," Liam's curse rang out. He doubled back, letting Emma's hand go, but only doing so because Bash took it as Liam darted to take the lead to protect her.

A door opened behind him and Alex's blood ran cold when Marcus shouted for backup.

There was no time to double back. They would get to the dead end and hold the line. Let's just pray this sick fuck doesn't have too many men left.

"Liam, we need to get Emma close to the wall!" he barked, his voice low but urgent as he moved to be in front of them now, Bash putting Emma behind him.

Liam and William stood shoulder to shoulder, weapons drawn as three men ran past Marcus, he rushed back into the room like a coward.

Three short bursts came from in front of him, sharp cracks echoing in the confined space of the second-floor hall. Two guards went down with bloodied chests, their bodies unmoving when they hit the ground.

William fired twice, both bullets striking the final standing guard, one through the forehead and another in the neck. The second shot was unnecessary but Alex clapped his hands over William's shoulder.

"Fucking fantastic!"

Liam turned and nodded at Alex. "We've got to—" the words died as he collapsed against the ground. His glasses flying at Alex's feet.

Emma screamed, the sound bordering on animalistic when Liam hit the ground.

Alex grabbed the glasses, watching as Liam's body spasmed violently, his hands shaking as they went to the back of his neck, barely able to get through the convulsions. His blue eyes filled with water, and when his hand finally came away, a small silver prong lay in his hands. His eyes closed.

William dropped to check for Liam's pulse for a split second, revealing Marcus with a taser pointed at them.

"William, fire!" Alex called, getting off a round of his own that Marcus dodged.

He cursed and moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bash, protecting Emma both from harm and from view.

Alex couldn't move quickly enough despite seeing the flash of silver explode from the end of Marcus's weapon. At the same moment, the bang of William's gun went off. Followed by Bash's.

The taser prong pierced William's arm with a sharp, electric jolt, sending bolts of electricity surging through his body. He convulsed and fell to the ground, twitching from the intense shock that coursed through his frame.

The air was filled with the acrid scent of burnt flesh and hair as the electrical current seared its way through him.

Alex dropped the glasses and sprang, leaping out of Bash's way to William's side.

"Hang on, Will," Alex's fingers wrapped around the heated prong, but Alex didn't feel the pain as he ripped the weapon free, giving William a reprieve.

Marcus howled, drawing his gaze up. Bash had struck him in the knee. Somehow the man continued to dodge other bullets.

Alex's mind was a swirl of thoughts as he kept counting rounds. Resting William's head on the ground he jumped up, just in time to miss avoiding the prongs that came for him.

Taser met skin in a sharp jolt that sent bolts straight through him like lightning through an electrode socket. A low grunt escaped his lips as pain surged through every inch of him; every muscle twitching uncontrollably beneath sun-kissed skin that burned hot pink from the electric current coursing through it. He couldn't breathe. His lungs burned with each gasp as stars danced before eyes that were already half-blind from sunlight reflecting off broken glass fragments scattered on pavement beneath him.

They'd taken tasers during training, but it had been years ago. His body didn't remember this. Not the pain or the blurring vision.

"Emma," he choked out as he tried to clutch the prongs in his arm.

A sharp impact slammed into Alex's chest, knocking the wind out of him. He gasped for air as he Marcus's foot pressed against him, pinning him down. The sudden movement caused a surge of adrenaline to course through his body, but he was still unable to move. Through blurred vision, Alex could see Bash rushing toward them, ready to come to his rescue.

With a fierce determination in his eyes, Bash launched himself at Marcus, freeing Alex from his grasp. But before he could breathe a sigh of relief, another guard appeared and tackled Bash to the ground. Alex could only watch helplessly as they grappled with each other, all while Marcus still held the taser in his hand.

"Alex!" Emma screamed as she watched in horror.

In a split second, Alex managed to jerk the prongs of the taser free from his body and turned just in time to see Bash struggling with the other guard. Without hesitation, he fired at close range and the man dropped to the ground.

Relief washed over him as the electricity stopped. The sound of bullets stopped, but Marcus had grabbed Liam's gun from the ground.

He met Bash's eyes, both realizing Bash was out of ammo in his gun. Despite the searing pain in his chest, Alex reached for his gun on the ground, knowing that it was up to Bash now to end this nightmare.

She saw it all happen faster than she could process the knowledge, like a film reel playing backward in stunning clarity .

Bash had drawn his weapon, ready to end Marcus, but another guard was upon him before he could stop him. Their eyes locked as Bash fired again and again, but the gun clicked empty.

Emma felt her heart stop beating from the shock. Her breath hitched in her throat as each of their lives hung in the balance. She watched helplessly from behind cover while tears pooled in her eyes and sweat broke out on her forehead. The sound of bullets became distant and muffled as if underwater, replaced by anguish and despair building inside her chest. A scream threatened to escape as Liam tried to crawl toward his discarded firearm when Alex lifted his as best he could.

Emma's chest tightened as fear overrode every possible sense. She'd escaped Marcus to find the men having come for her, only to watch in horror as she could do nothing to help them.

All of them had risked their life for her and all she'd done was escape from a room without properly disabling the man inside.

Fury took over as she looked at the men, all four struggling to get up as the taser stole their breath, their energy, their coordination.

It took only seconds for Marcus to wreak havoc on these men who'd given everything for her safety—their sacrifices were about to be undone so easily by this madman's hand.

They'd come for her, not once or twice but repeatedly, facing danger at every turn because she'd reached out for help on an old radio.

As if suspended in a void, time came to a screeching halt as reality crashed into her like a forceful wrecking ball.

Emma could no longer deny what she had been trying to suppress deep within herself—she loved them all.

Every fiber of her being was consumed by an overwhelming feeling of affection and devotion toward each of them.

Liam with his blue eyes full of hope amidst despair.

Chris who led with discipline yet cared deeply .

William who saw through everything yet held onto optimism against all odds.

Bash whose green eyes burned with determination despite past losses haunting him.

Alex whose cocky grin never faded no matter how dire the situation got.

Emma was in love with these five men and she was done letting them do all the dangerous work.

"Now, what on earth are you doing to do with that?" Marcus chortled. "I'll admit, you tricked me earlier, but there's no way you'll shoot me."

Despite all the thoughts, only seconds had passed. Bash was pushing to stand, but there was no way she was going to let him fight this fight for her.

"Bet," was all she said as her finger squeezed the trigger.

The bullet zipped through the air, leaving a trail of gasps behind as it made its way toward Marcus. Time seemed to slow down in an instant, and everyone's hearts pounded in unison with each passing moment. Marcus's eyes widened as he realized what was happening.

The bullet struck him squarely in the neck with a sickening thud, causing Emma to flinch away as if worried it would come for her next.

He fell fast, the slow-motion spell broken.

The impact of his body hitting the concrete sent a wave of nausea through her, the sound of his skull smacking against the pavement ringing in her ears like a church bell. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the image of his lifeless form twitching on the ground. Blood pooled beneath him, spreading quickly like a crimson stain on an otherwise gray and barren landscape. The coppery scent of it filled her nostrils, overwhelming her senses and making her stomach churn with revulsion.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Liam and William pulling themselves from the floor, dusting off their clothes with shaky hands. Bash stood there, looking dazed yet relieved that they had survived another encounter against all odds. Alex whistled slowly under his breath.

Dread washed over Emma, and her stomach turned as she noticed Marcus's blood had splattered on her boots. The warm liquid stuck to the worn leather, making her nauseous. The smell of copper filled the air, mingling with the stench of the abandoned motel. The taste of bile rose in her throat as she forced herself to look away from the spreading pool of red surrounding Marcus's body. She was sick with disgust and fear. Murdering someone was wrong—unnatural—even if he deserved it.

She was suddenly cold all over suddenly. Colder than she ever remembered feeling before.

There was blood on her hands.

Literal blood.

Emma took deep breaths, trying to clear the lingering taste of death off her tongue as adrenaline surged through her veins like lightning striking.

She looked over at her men, whose faces mirrored shock and disbelief at her actions. Then they were with her, arms wrapping around her so rapidly Emma couldn't tell who was who, nor did she care.

Her gaze locked on Marcus's lifeless form on the ground before snapping back into focus.

"Are you okay?" Liam's voice was weak, shaky almost, but his fingers found their way under her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. "I need you with me. Don't go anywhere in that head of yours. You did what you had to do." he murmured against her ears as he tucked her against him.

"I, I," she wanted to vocalize what she'd done, but she couldn't. Her body shook, and she hated that she made it harder for Liam to hold her when she knew how disoriented he must be .

Slowly returning to reality bit by bit, she nodded against his chest as tears pricked at the corners of her hazel eyes, grateful for the way Liam's arms held her up.

"We owe you one there," Alex cracked before gently extracting her from Liam's embrace to hold her close. "Maybe a few," whispered playfully.

"You're all okay?" She whispered as she swiped at the tears she hadn't known fell.

"Banged up, but fine. Might not have been had you not been there to help." Bash rubbed the back of his neck.

"No more heroics like that okay?" William asked gruffly as he took her hand with a squeeze.

"We need to get moving through. We don't know where Chris is or if those men will be back." Liam sounded stronger, as if adrenaline returned to push him forward.