Chapter 1227:
âNo!â Harleeâs voice was ragged, her tears mingling with the pain, clouding her vision.
Yet, Rhys pressed on, unyielding, mirroring her own relentless spirit from earlier.
Harleeâs cry was raw, a mix of blood and tears staining her face, her voice steeped in anguish.
She had believed her plan was flawless. She had thought she could protect Rhys this time. She had envisioned completing their mission and retiring to a peaceful life together. But she had been mistaken. Not only had she failed to secure their goals, but she had also unraveled everything. The Shadow Moon Society lay shattered. The allies Rhys had painstakingly gathered were lost. And now⦠Rhys himself might be⦠What sort of leader was she? How could she have been so foolish to believe her plans would succeed? She was a curse, spreading destruction to those she loved the most.
Catching herself in self-reproach, Harlee realized she couldnât give up now. She had to keep going. She had to protect the people she loved. She resolved to lead Rhys, Tonya, Jonathan, Robbie, Christopher, Hamilton, and Patrick out of here alive.
Suddenly, gunfire snapped her back to reality. Harleeâs eyes shot open in alarm as she struggled to rise and assess the situation. Her vision wavered, her hearing muffled. She couldnât tell if Matteo had struck Rhys or if Rhys had managed to confront Matteo. It felt as though all was lost. No. This couldnât be the end. She refused to allow it to end like this.
Clamping her teeth together, Harlee snatched up a dropped dagger. As a gun barrel edged into her field of view, she didnât hesitate. She surged forward, driving the blade deep into her assailantâs abdomen. With graceful movements, she grabbed his handgun and ducked behind nearby rocks, firing at Matteoâs men.
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One, two, three⦠She fought with all her strength, but before long, her magazine was empty.
Two men stood in front of her, their fear fading into mocking smirks. âDamn, sheâs tough. Sheâs still getting up!â
âKeep your distance,â one said. âShe still has her dagger, and sheâs clearly ready to use it!â
âWhat now? We were ordered not to kill her!â
Even after Harlee had wounded Matteo, he had commanded his men to spare her life. He intended to torture her himself.
âJust cripple her. Weaken her first, and then weâll close in!â
âUnderstood.â
The pair reloaded swiftly, aiming for Harleeâs legs.
Harlee attempted to retreat further behind the rocks, but her strength waned, and she fell to her knees. âNo. I can still fight. I still have strengthâ¦â she muttered.
Bang, bangâThe sound of two gunshots filled the air, yet Harlee felt no pain. Instead, the two men before her dropped to the ground, lifeless. Looking up in confusion, Harlee saw Rhys across from her, holding a gun. His eyebrows arched slightly, and beneath them, his indifferent gaze was chilling. And yet⦠Yet, when his eyes met hers, they softened, infused with a warmth that spoke of deep, longstanding affection.
Stunned, Harlee knelt there, gazing at the man who now seemed utterly transformed.
Rhys approached her slowly, lifting her carefully into his arms. He softly set her down in a spot protected by cover and then draped his jacket over her shoulders. He gently pushed aside her blood-soaked bangs and leaned down to place a tender kiss on her forehead. âWait for me,â he whispered.
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