Chapter 4
I took a deep breath, tightened my grip on the iron bar, and fixed my icy gaze on the four thugs left standing.
Outside, I heard frantic footsteps and Jack's voice shouting through the factory, "Sophia! Wendy! Where are you?"
The head kidnapper froze, his face twisting in shock—he hadn't expected Jack to get here this fast.
His eyes hardened. "Fuck it, grab her—she's our hostage!"
Just then, the door to the little room where Wendy was locked burst open from the inside. She came running out, hair a mess, crying out, "Jack! Save me!"
She looked like she was panicking, but somehow, she ended up right in the way of the two thugs who were about to rush me.
Wasn't that convenient? A mocking smirk appeared on my face.
Jack showed up at the factory entrance, in his SWAT uniform, gun at the ready, eyes blazing. The first thing he saw was Wendy, running straight for him, hair a mess and crying her eyes out.
"Wendy!" He rushed over without hesitation, yanking Wendy behind him and shooting a wary glare at the kidnappers.
Then his gaze finally settled on me.
I stood there, right in the middle of a pack of thugs, gripping a bloodied iron bar, one of them sprawled unconscious at my feet.
My clothes were ripped from the fight, my face streaked with blood and grime, but my back was ramrod straight—I wasn't backing down for anyone.
Jack's eyes went wide for a moment, like he never expected to see me like this.
Behind him, Wendy, shielded by Jack, looked at me over his shoulder—there wasn't a hint of fear left in her eyes.
All that remained was clear, undisguised malice and provocation.
It was as if she was saying, "See? No matter when, I'm always the one he protects first."
I met her eyes, and suddenly, it all just seemed ridiculous.
Jack snapped, leveling his gun at the kidnappers, "Drop your weapons! You're surrounded!"
The head kidnapper looked totally defeated, his face pale as he realized the game was up.
I tossed the iron bar aside and brushed the dust off my hands, cool and collected—like that whole life-or-death brawl was just my warm-up.
Cops and SWAT stormed in, pinning the kidnappers to the ground in seconds.
Once Jack was sure everything was secure, he finally let go of Wendy and rushed straight over to me.
His brows were drawn tight as he scanned me from head to toe, his voice slipping right into that classic lecturing tone. "Sophia! Are you alright? Why did you have to act so tough? Do you even realize how dangerous that was? God, what if..."
"What if what?" I cut him off, my voice icy and flat. Slowly, I raised my gaze to meet his eyes.
Once, those eyes had held a warmth that made my heart flutter; now, they sent a shiver down my spine. "What if I died? Isn't that what you've always wanted? Then you and Wendy could finally ride off into the sunset together."
Jack was stunned, totally thrown by my words.
Right behind him, Wendy instantly put on her fragile act, clutching Jack's arm, her voice thick with tears. "Jack, please don't blame Sophia. She must be so scared... It's all my fault, really—if only I hadn't—"
"This has nothing to do with you, Wendy," Jack said, automatically trying to soothe her.
Then he turned to me, his voice a shade gentler but still full of that patronizing edge. "Sophia, I know you're shaken up, but don't talk nonsense. I'll take you and Wendy to the hospital to get checked out."