Chapter 10 - The Aftermath|
Damon dropped to his knees beside Selena’s chair.
He pulled a tactical knife from his vest and swiftly sliced through the thick plastic zip-ties binding her wrists and ankles. Before she could even register that she was free, Damon gently took her face in his hands.
“Hold still,” he murmured, his thumbs finding the edge of the duct tape. “This is going to hurt.”
He pulled the tape off in one quick, fluid motion.
Selena gasped, instantly dissolving into heavy, wracking sobs. She didn't cower or pull away. She lunged forward, throwing her arms around Damon’s neck, burying her face in his tactical vest.
Damon dropped the knife and caught her, wrapping his arms fiercely around her trembling body. He pulled her tight against his chest, burying his face in her hair, breathing in the scent of dust, fear, and her familiar vanilla perfume.
“I’ve got you,” Damon whispered fiercely, his voice cracking for the first time in years. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
“Ruby,” Selena sobbed hysterically, her fingers gripping his vest like a lifeline. “They said they were going to get Ruby. Please, Damon, please—”
“Ruby is safe,” Damon interrupted, holding her face so she had to look him in the eyes. “She’s at the estate. She’s locked in the safe room with Marcus’s detail. Nobody is touching her. She’s the one who warned me, Selena. She brought me her suitcase.”
Selena stared at him, tears streaming down her bruised face. A mixture of absolute relief and overwhelming pride washed over her.
“She did?”
“She was incredibly brave. Just like her mother.”
Damon gently wiped a smear of dirt from Selena’s cheek. He looked at the bruising on her jaw, a dark, murderous rage flaring deep in his chest. Victor Lane was going to suffer for a very long time.
“Boss!” Ghost’s voice crackled through Damon’s earpiece. “We have incoming. Two Sinaloa cartel trucks just pulled up to the main gate. Heavily armed.”
Damon’s eyes hardened. He stood up, pulling Selena to her feet and keeping her firmly behind him.
“How many?” Damon asked into his comms.
“Ten men. Looks like a heavily armed extraction team. They aren't here to negotiate.”
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Damon picked up his rifle, checking the chamber. He looked back at Selena. She was terrified, but she was standing tall, fighting back her tears.
“Stay exactly behind me,” Damon ordered softly. “We’re leaving.”
