Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

T he shattered vase lies scattered across the polished floor of my penthouse, each jagged piece a stark reminder of my failure. My eyes narrow as I replay the security footage, watching Devin slip away from her guards like a shadow melting into darkness. Fury builds within me, a cold, calculated rage directed not just at her captors, but at the incompetent fools I'd trusted with her safety.

"Find them," I snarl at Daniel, my voice low and deadly. "Every last one of those guards. I want them brought to me."

Daniel nods, his face grim. "Already on it. But Hawk, there's something else you need to see."

He pulls up another feed, and I watch as a nondescript van intercepts Devin moments after she evades her security detail. The efficiency of the operation speaks volumes. This was planned, coordinated. My hands clench into fists, knuckles white with suppressed rage.

"Regina," I growl, the name tasting like poison on my tongue. That snake dared to touch what's mine. I'd been playing a long game with her, letting her think she had a chance, all to uncover her connection to Kazanov. But she crossed a line, and now? Now, she'll pay with her life.

"Mobilize everyone," I order, my voice cutting through the air like a blade. "I want every resource and contact we have working on this. Find her. Now."

As my team springs into action, I retreat to my private armory. Each weapon I select is a promise - of vengeance, of retribution. The familiar weight of my custom Glock settles into my palm, a cold comfort.

My phone buzzes - it's Max, Sphinx's enigmatic assistant. "We've located her," Max's voice crackles through the secure line. "Warehouse district. Sending coordinates now."

Relief floods through me, quickly replaced by a laser-focused determination. "I'm on my way. Keep me updated on any movement."

The drive to the warehouse is a blur of city lights and strategic planning. I brief my team, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Primary objective is Devin's extraction. Secondary objective is the elimination of all threats. Regina and Kazanov are mine."

As we approach the target, the scale of the operation becomes clear. Kazanov's men swarm the area like ants, heavily armed and on high alert. A savage smile twists my lips. Good. Let them try to stop me.

"On my mark," I murmur into the comms as we take our positions. The night air is thick with tension, the calm before the storm. "Three. Two. One. Execute."

The world erupts into chaos. Gunfire shatters the silence, muzzle flashes illuminating the darkness in staccato bursts. I move with cold precision, each shot finding its mark with deadly accuracy. Bodies fall around me, but I barely register them. They're obstacles, nothing more.

"East wing clear," Daniel's voice crackles in my ear. "Heavy resistance in the north sector."

I change direction, cutting through the warehouse like a scythe through wheat. Two of Kazanov's men round a corner, their eyes widening in recognition. They don't even have time to raise their weapons before I put them down.

A burst of gunfire forces me into cover. I peek around the corner, counting targets. Five of them, well-positioned. A grenade rolls from my hand, the explosion sending shrapnel and bodies flying. I'm moving before the dust settles, stepping over the carnage without a second glance.

"Boss," Daniel's voice is tight with urgency. "We've got eyes on the primary target. Southeast corner, upper level. Regina and Kazanov are with her."

My blood runs cold at the thought of Devin in their hands. "On my way. Secure the perimeter, no one gets out alive."

I take the stairs three at a time, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. The door to the upper level looms before me, a final barrier between me and my goal. With a nod to Daniel, who's appeared at my side, we breach.

The scene before me ignites a fury I've never known. Devin, bound to a chair, her eyes blazing with defiance. Regina, her face twisted in a sneer of triumph. And Kazanov, his gun pressed against Devin's temple.

"Ah, Hawk," Kazanov's voice drips with false cordiality. "So good of you to join us. We were just discussing the future of your empire."

"The only future you need to worry about is the next five minutes," I reply, my voice arctic. "Let her go, and I might make it quick."

Regina laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. "Oh, Hawk. Always so dramatic. Did you really think I'd let you play me for a fool? This little bitch has been a thorn in my side for far too long."

I see Devin's eyes narrow at Regina's words, but right now, my entire focus is on getting Devin out alive.

"Last chance," I warn, my gun trained steadily on Kazanov. "Release her."

Instead of complying, Kazanov tightens his grip on Devin, using her as a shield. "I don't think so. You see, Ms. West here has some very valuable information. Information that could bring your entire world crashing down."

I don't let his words phase me. My eyes lock with Devin's, and in that moment, a silent communication passes between us. I see the trust there, the understanding. She gives me an almost imperceptible nod.

"You're right, Kazanov," I say, my tone shifting. "Someone does have valuable information." My gaze flicks to Regina. "And she's outlived her usefulness."

Several things happen at once. Devin throws her weight backward, knocking Kazanov off balance. I fire, the bullet grazing his shoulder and causing him to lose his grip. Daniel surges forward, tackling Regina before she can reach for her weapon.

I'm on Kazanov in an instant, my fist connecting with his jaw with a satisfying crunch. He staggers but recovers quickly, lashing out with a vicious right hook. I feel the impact, tasting blood, but the pain only fuels my rage.

We grapple, trading blows. Kazanov is strong, but I'm faster, more focused. Every punch I land is for Devin, for the fear she must have felt, for every second she was in danger because of this man.

From the corner of my eye, I see Daniel subduing Regina, efficiently zip-tying her hands behind her back. Devin has managed to work one hand free and is struggling with her bonds.

Kazanov sees it too and makes a desperate lunge for his fallen gun. I intercept him, driving my knee into his solar plexus. As he doubles over, gasping for air, I grab him by the throat and slam him against the wall.

"I told you," I growl, my face inches from his, "this ends now."

I see the fear in his eyes, the realization that he's lost. It's a look I've seen many times in the boardroom, but never with such satisfaction.

"Hawk," Devin's voice cuts through the haze of my anger. I turn to see her standing, rubbing her wrists where the ropes had chafed her skin. Her eyes meet mine, a mix of relief and something deeper, more complex. "We need them alive. For now."

I hesitate for a moment, every fiber of my being wanting to end Kazanov's miserable life right here. But Devin's right. We need information, and dead men can't talk.

With a frustrated growl, I slam Kazanov's head against the wall, knocking him unconscious. He crumples to the floor, and I turn my full attention to Devin.

In two strides, I'm at her side, my hands cupping her face, eyes searching for any sign of injury. "Are you hurt?" I demand, my voice rough with emotion.

She shakes her head, a small smile on her face despite the situation. "I'm fine. Your timing is impeccable as always, Mr. Rivers."

The relief that washes over me is almost overwhelming. I pull her close, inhaling her scent, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. For a moment, the world narrows to just us, the chaos around us fading into the background.

"Don't ever do that to me again," I murmur into her hair, my arms tightening around her.

She pulls back slightly, her eyes meeting mine with that familiar spark of defiance. "Do what? Get kidnapped? I'll try to pencil that in less often."

Despite everything, I feel a chuckle rumble in my chest. Even in the face of danger, her spirit remains unbroken. It's one of the things I admire most about her.

Our moment is interrupted by Daniel clearing his throat. "Boss, we need to move. Local authorities will be here soon, and we have some... cleaning up to do."

I nod, reluctantly releasing Devin but keeping a hand on the small of her back. "Secure Kazanov and Regina. We'll take them to the secondary location for questioning."

As my team efficiently carries out my orders, I turn back to Devin. "We have a lot to discuss," I say, my tone serious.

She meets my gaze steadily. "Yes, we do. But not here, not now."

I nod in agreement. There will be time for explanations, for unraveling the web of secrets and lies that led us to this point. For now, I'm content knowing she's safe and back where she belongs — by my side.

As we make our way out of the warehouse, the cool night air hits us, carrying with it the promise of a new dawn. The city sprawls before us, unaware of the drama that unfolded in its shadows. But I know that after tonight, nothing will be the same.

I guide Devin toward one of the waiting SUVs, my hand never leaving her back. As we settle into the vehicle, I catch her watching me, a mix of emotions playing across her face.

"What?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

She shakes her head slightly, a small smile tugging on her lips. "Nothing. Just... thank you. For coming for me."

I reach out, taking her hand in mine, my thumb tracing circles on her skin. "Always," I promise, my voice low and intense. "I will always come for you, Devin."

As the car pulls away from the warehouse, leaving behind the chaos and violence, I feel a shift in the air between us. The game we've been playing, the dance of power and control, has changed. We've crossed a line tonight, and there's no going back.

But as I look at Devin, her head resting against the seat, eyes closed in exhaustion but her hand still firmly in mine, I realize I don't want to go back.

The city lights smudge past the window as we drive, and I allow myself a moment of contentment. Devin is safe. Kazanov and Regina are neutralized. And tomorrow... tomorrow I figure out who the mastermind behind every attack on my business and life is.

As we near my penthouse, Devin stirs, her eyes opening to meet mine. There's a vulnerability there that I've never seen mixed with her usual strength. It's a heady combination.

"Hawk," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "What happens now?"

I squeeze her hand gently, my gaze never leaving hers. "Now, we rest. Tomorrow, we plan. And then..."

"And then?" she prompts, a hint of her usual challenge in her tone.

A slow smile spreads across my face, all threat. "And then, my dear, we conquer."