The rescue

RYAN

The drive from school to the Eastbrook warehouse should’ve taken fifty minutes.
I made it there in under thirty.

Whether I obeyed traffic laws or broke every damn one, I couldn’t say. The entire drive was a blur of honking horns and screeching tires, propelled by a single thought hammering in my skull:

Violet is in danger.

The message had come out of nowhere, anonymous and cryptic, but clear enough to ignite a fire in me. I didn’t know who sent it or why, but whoever it was wanted me to act—and fast.

My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly it felt like my knuckles might split. Images of Violet flashed through my mind, her wide eyes and nervous smiles be.

And if something happened to her...

I slammed my foot harder on the accelerator, the growl of the engine matching the roar of fury building in my chest.

When I finally reached the warehouse, I killed the engine a block away, stepping out into the chilly evening air. The building loomed in the distance—dark and deadly quiet.

I scanned the area, noting the silence. No guards, no signs of activity outside. Either this was a trap, or the bastards inside thought they were untouchable.

I had sent a text to Jack for backup but it'd definitely take fifty minutes before he got there. And time is a luxury I don't have not when Violet is in there

The warehouse door groaned as I pushed it open. The interior was as grim as I expected—dust, rusted metal, and the faint smell of oil. The air was heavy with the metallic tang of oil and rust, a smell that brought back memories of places I’d rather forget.

And then I heard it—a low murmur of voices coming from above.

I froze, my pulse pounding like a war drum in my ears. The words were muffled, but the tone was unmistakable. Mocking. Cruel.

“He'd have gotten the package now. I had to get into this fast”

It was Max's voice.

My jaw clenched as I crept toward the staircase. That bastard. I should’ve known he was behind this. But what I hadn’t expected was to hear Evelyn’s voice, soft and venomous, weaving into the conversation like poison.

“Yeah you should. There's no way he'd figure out anyways” She was saying

“No!” A third voice joined in. It was familiar but my mind frowned at the idea. It can't be him,it definitely can't be. “Let's wait for a while”

I peeped in..

Violet was tied to a chair, her head bowed, a thin trail of blood glistening on her arm. Her shoulders were tense, but even in the dim light, I could see the fire in her eyes when she glanced up at Max.

Max loomed over her, holding a knife while Evelyn leaned against a nearby table, a smirk tugging at her lips as she watched. And there was someone else

My doubt was ascertained and my fists clenched.

Luke..

Disappointment settled on my chest. He was in on this too? The betrayal stung, but I couldn’t afford to dwell on it now

I fought the urge to charge in, every fiber of my being screaming at me to tear them apart. But one wrong move and Violet would be the one to pay the price.

I needed a distraction.

I stepped back into the shadows, scanning the area. A control panel near the entrance caught my eye. I traced the wires leading out of it, my mind racing.

Cutting the power might buy me enough time to get to Violet before things escalated. I worked quickly, yanking wires loose until the building plunged into darkness.

“What the hell?” Max growled.

“Relax,” Evelyn snapped. “It’s probably just the wiring.”

The sudden darkness threw them off. I could hear the scuffle of feet, the scrape of metal against concrete.

I moved quickly, using their disorientation to my advantage. Each step was calculated, my crowbar gripped tightly in one hand. The only light now came from the faint glow of a phone screen Evelyn had pulled out.

“Luke, check the damn breaker box,” Max ordered, his voice low but commanding.

Luke hesitated. “Maybe we should just—”

“Do it,” Max barked.

But before Luke could move, I stepped into the room, letting the faint light from Evelyn’s phone reveal my face.

“You were saying?” I asked, my voice cold and cutting.

All three of them froze. Evelyn’s phone slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor, the glow extinguished.

“Ryan?” Max recovered first, his voice dripping with mockery. “Well, well, well. Looks like the hero decided to crash the party.”

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of fear behind her smirk. “How did you even know to come here? We didn’t—” She cut herself off, realizing too late what she’d almost revealed.

“You didn’t what?” I stepped closer, my eyes fixed on Max. “Didn’t expect me to show up? Didn’t think anyone would come for her?” I gestured toward Violet, who was still bound to the chair, her breathing shallow as she quietly muttered “Ryan”

Max laughed. “You’re dumber than I thought. Do you even know what you’ve walked into?”

“I know enough,” I said, my voice steady despite the rage bubbling beneath the surface. “I know you’ve got about five seconds to untie her before I make you regret it.”

Max tilted his head, the knife glinting in his hand as he stepped closer to Violet. “You think you’re in control here, kid? You think you can just walk in and—”

I didn’t let him finish.

I swung the crowbar with all the force I could muster, aiming for his wrist. The knife clattered to the floor as Max stumbled back, clutching his hand and swearing.

“Ryan!” Evelyn shrieked while Luke stood frozen, his face pale, torn between whatever loyalty he thought he owed Max and the reality of what was happening.

“Luke,” I barked, my voice sharp enough to snap him out of his daze. “Untie her. Now.”

His eyes darted to Max, who was still recovering, then to Evelyn, who was scrambling to her feet. Finally, they landed on Violet.

“Luke,” I said again, softer this time. “If you care about her at all, help her.”

His hands trembled as he moved toward Violet, fumbling with the ropes binding her wrists.

“You little traitor!” Evelyn spat, lunging toward Luke, but I stepped between them, my crowbar raised.

“Try it,” I warned, my voice low and dangerous. “I dare you.”

Evelyn hesitated, her fury palpable, but she didn’t move.

Violet gasped as the ropes finally fell away, her arms free. She swayed slightly, her strength drained, and I caught her before she could collapse.

“Ryan,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

“I’ve got you,” I said, my grip firm but gentle. “We’re getting out of here.”

“You ruined everything, Ryan! We were supposed to be together. You and me, not... her.” Evelyn yelled,pointing a shaking finger at Violet, her voice breaking. “I gave you everything! and you threw me away for... for her?”

“You gave me nothing,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “All you ever cared about was being mine and twisting everything to fit your warped fantasies.

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that! I loved you! I still love you! And you—” She turned to Violet, who was watching the exchange with wide, terrified eyes. “You ruined everything. He was mine before you came along. You don’t deserve him!”

“This isn’t love, Evelyn. It’s obsession. And it’s pathetic.” I mumbled. Evelyn was about to say something else when Max's groan interrupted us.

Max groaned as he struggled to his feet, blood dripping from a cut above his brow. Despite his bruised face,he sneered. “You think this is over, Ryan? You think you’ve won?”

“I don’t think,” I shot back, breathing heavily. “I know. Now get out before I finish what I started.”

Max laughed. He wiped the blood off his chin and pointed at me. “You’ve always been the same. The cocky golden boy who takes what isn’t his. Do you even know why this is happening?”

“I don’t care why,” I snarled. “Whatever sick game you’re playing ends now.”

“You don’t care?” Max’s voice rose.“You should. Because all of this is your fault.” He took a shaky step closer, his eyes dark with fury. “You stole her from me. The only girl I ever loved.”

I frowned, not following. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Julia,” Max spat.“She was mine, and you took her. She chose you over me. Do you know what that feels like? To be cast aside like trash? You didn’t even love her—you just didn’t want me to have her.”

“Julia?” I repeated. “You’re seriously still hung up on that? That was years ago. And I never took her from you, she came to me. Who knows, she probably left youbecause she saw you for what you are—a selfish, entitled scumbag.”

Max lunged, but this time, I was ready.

The fight was brutal, raw, and chaotic. Max was good…really but I was faster and fueled by something he’d never understand—desperation to protect the one person who mattered most.

Every punch, every swing of the crowbar, was for Violet. For every bruise on her skin, every tear she’d shed.

Max finally fell, groaning as he hit the ground.

I turned to Evelyn, who was backing away, her hands raised.

“Get out of my sight,” I growled. “If I ever see you near her again, you won’t get off this easy.”

Her face twisted in a mix of fear and fury, but she didn’t argue. She grabbed Max’s arm, dragging him toward the door.

Luke stayed behind, his head hanging low.

“Go,” I told him, my voice softer now. “And think about who you’re choosing to follow.”

He nodded once before disappearing out.

With the room finally clear, I turned back to Violet. She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“You’re safe now,” I said, my voice breaking.

One thing settled deep in my bones: Violet went just someone I wanted to save. She was someone I couldn't lose.