The air in the warehouse was thick with tension.
Daniel Kade's smirk remained in place as Liam struggled against his bindings, bruises darkening his face.
Evelyn's heart pounded. They were outnumbered. And the worst part? Theo was hesitating.
He never hesitated.
She took a step closer. "Theo—"
"Go," he said suddenly.
She froze. "What?"
Theo didn't look at her. His voice was cold. Distant. "Take Ethan and get out of here."
Evelyn's stomach twisted. "Are you out of your mind? We're not leaving you."
Kade chuckled. "Oh, I love this. So much tension. So much... emotion."
Theo ignored him. His hands clenched at his sides, but his face was unreadable. "You need to be on the other side. I'll handle this."
Evelyn's chest tightened. This wasn't just about the mission.
This was about them.
About what had almost happened.
About what neither of them had talked about.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You're pushing me away."
Theo's jaw tightened. "I'm keeping you safe."
Evelyn shook her head, frustration bubbling up. "You're running."
His eyes finally met hers, and for the briefest moment, she saw it—fear.
Not fear of Kade.
Not fear of the ambush.
But fear of losing her.
And then, as quickly as it came, it was gone.
"Go," he repeated.
She wanted to argue. Wanted to fight him on this.
But before she could, Kade snapped his fingers.
The gunshot rang out before she could react.
Pain exploded in her side.
Her vision blurred.
She heard Theo shout her name.
And then—darkness.
---
Theo's Breaking Point
She was unconscious.
Blood pooled beneath her, staining her shirt.
And for the first time in years, Theo felt helpless.
He didn't think. Didn't plan.
He acted.
With deadly precision, he lunged forward, disarming the nearest guard in seconds. The gun was in his hands before anyone could react.
The next thing Kade's men saw was death.
One by one, they fell.
Ethan was at his side, taking down whoever Theo didn't. But Theo wasn't thinking about the mission anymore.
All he could see was Evelyn.
Bleeding.
Unmoving.
And it was his fault.
Kade had barely taken a step back before Theo grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall.
"I should kill you right now," Theo growled, voice dangerously low.
Kade coughed, blood trailing from his lips. "You could," he rasped. "But then you'd never know what else I have planned."
Theo's grip tightened. He was seconds away from snapping Kade's neck—
But then he heard Ethan.
"We need to go, man. Now."
Theo turned, his chest tightening at the sight of Evelyn in Ethan's arms.
She was still breathing. Barely.
And that was the only reason he let Kade live.
For now.
He dropped Kade with a final shove, turning his back on him.
Then, without another word, he took Evelyn from Ethan's arms and carried her out.
---
The Time He Cried
Back at the safe house, Evelyn lay unconscious on the bed, her wound cleaned and bandaged.
Theo sat beside her.
Watching.
Waiting.
And breaking.
Ethan had left to get supplies. Liam was resting in the other room.
It was just him and Evelyn now.
And for the first time in years, Theo Bennett cried.
Silent tears slipped down his face as he clenched his fists.
What if she hadn't survived?
What if she never woke up?
What if their last conversation had been him pushing her away?
His shoulders shook as he exhaled, gripping her hand in his.
"I was a coward," he admitted softly. "I should have talked to you. Shouldn't have let things get awkward. But I thought... if I ignored it, it would go away."
He let out a bitter laugh. "Turns out, that doesn't work."
His thumb brushed over her knuckles, his grip tightening. "I can't lose you, Evelyn. I won't."
The words hung in the air.
A confession not of love—but of need.
A few moments later, he felt a small movement.
Her fingers curled slightly against his.
Theo's breath caught.
Then—
A whisper.
"Theo..."
His eyes shot to her face.
Her lashes fluttered, and then—finally—she opened her eyes.
She was alive.
And in that moment, nothing else mattered.
End of Chapter 33