Ryker Salazar knew he was done for. If only he had kidnapped that Kelly woman along with her, he might have had some leverage to bargain with. Now, there was no way out.

Still, he knew Rose Harrison was the apple of Albert Harrison’s eye. He couldn't afford to be reckless with her, not if he wanted to save what little face he had left. He tilted his head toward his men. "It’s a misunderstanding. I know who Miss Harrison is. Get her out of here. Now."

Men in black jackets stepped forward, hoisting Rose to her feet and hauling her out of the warehouse.

Maximus Anderson felt the knot in his stomach loosen. Once she was outside, she’d be in his men’s territory. If not them, the Hughes family would be there to scoop her up. For the first time in hours, he allowed himself a shallow, silent breath.

Ryker stepped away from the crowd, moving to the center of the concrete floor. He took a fighter's stance, his voice dropping to a gravelly, lethal tone. "Maximus, I’ve reached the end of the line. Let’s finish this. No rules. To the death."

"Fine by me," Maximus replied, stepping forward without hesitation. "If you want to die, I’ll be happy to see you off."

They were both monsters in their own right, locked in a brutal, seamless dance of violence.

Outside, Maximus’s team synchronized with the Hughes family reinforcements, cutting through Ryker’s remaining guards like butter.

They intercepted the car meant to transport Rose, pulling her from the vehicle just in time.

The moment Caspian Hughes caught sight of Rose, his knees buckled. He scrambled over to her, his hands trembling as he cradled her terrified face. "Rose, it’s me. It’s Caspian. I’m here. You’re safe now."

Rose looked up, her eyes unfocused until they locked onto his. A sob ripped through her, and she collapsed into his chest, her composure finally shattered. She clung to him, weeping uncontrollably.

Caspian pulled her tight, his hand stroking her back in a rhythmic, soothing motion. "Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you. I’m taking you home, Rose."

After a long time, the shock finally took its toll. Rose went limp, drifting into unconsciousness. Caspian didn't waste a second; he scooped her up and raced toward the hospital.

By the time the smoke cleared, Maximus had finished off the last of Ryker’s men.

He stood in the doorway of the warehouse. The sun hit his face, sharp and blinding. He let out a hollow, jagged laugh. That sun was unbearable—it was so bright, it felt like it was burning away any chance of a future.

In the hospital, Rose remained unconscious. Caspian stayed glued to her side, his blood boiling every time he looked at her. Her body was a roadmap of abuse, covered in deep, purple welts.

The doctor, Dr. Gardner, didn't hold back. He told Caspian that she had been brutally beaten—punched and kicked until her skin was stained dark with bruising. She was suffering from severe exhaustion and dehydration, having gone at least two days without food. She would live, but the sight of her broken frame made Caspian’s heart ache with a violent, protective rage.

He stayed by her, swearing to himself that he would keep her far away from Maximus Anderson. Everything about this nightmare reeked of Maximus’s influence. Caspian’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of the bed. If he ever got his hands on Maximus, he’d make sure the man paid for every single bruise.

Rose didn't wake up until the following morning.

The morning light filtered through the window, casting a warm, gentle glow across the room. She opened her eyes, blinking against the brightness, and a small, bittersweet smile touched her lips.

*Rose,* she told herself silently, *it’s all going to be okay. If it isn’t meant to be, then let it go.*

When Caspian entered the room, he stopped dead. She was smiling.

Even now, bruised and battered, Rose was breathtaking. Her features were delicate, her eyes bright and clear, her skin like porcelain. She looked every bit the socialite she was, but there was a new depth to her expression. Her smile was more radiant than the morning sun itself.

For a moment, Caspian just stood there, paralyzed, not wanting to shatter the fragile peace of the moment.