Forty-one

FLASHBACK

Loomis

The memory of that night at the hospital was vivid. After the fierce fight, where I was severely injured, I managed to escape before they could capture me. The blood running down from the deep cut on my face and the searing pain were constant reminders that I couldn't give up. Even weakened, I moved through the empty hospital corridors, determined to survive and plan my revenge.

Every step was a struggle, but my determination was unwavering. I managed to escape, using the confusion to my advantage. That night, I promised myself that I would come back stronger, more prepared. And now, here I was, ready to settle the score.

POV

Tessa

The deafening crack of the gunshot still rang in my ears as I crouched on the cold floor of the warehouse, Mason's body shielding mine. The world seemed to move in slow motion. Bennett lay motionless, blood pooling beneath him, and a raw scream tore from my throat.

"Mason, we need to help him!" I cried, trying to push him off me. But Mason's grip was iron-tight, his eyes scanning the room for Loomis.

"Stay down, Tessa!" he commanded, his voice a mix of fear and anger. "We can't let him get another shot."

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to comprehend the horror unfolding around us. Bennett, the strong, steady presence in our lives, was bleeding out, and there was nothing I could do but watch in helpless terror.

Mason's body tensed, and I saw his eyes narrow in on Loomis, who was retreating, the gun still smoking in his hand. "I’ll distract him," Mason said, his voice low and urgent. "When I say go, you run to Bennett and try to stop the bleeding. Do you understand?"

I nodded, barely able to process his words through the fog of panic. "Be careful," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Mason gave a curt nod, then sprang into action. He moved swiftly, drawing Loomis's attention with a series of quick, deliberate movements. "Over here, you bastard!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the vast, empty space.

Loomis turned, his face a mask of malevolent glee. "Trying to play the hero again, Mason?" he taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "We both know how this ends."

Mason didn't respond, his focus entirely on keeping Loomis's attention away from me and Bennett. "Go, Tessa!" he yelled, and I didn’t need to be told twice.

I scrambled to Bennett’s side, my hands shaking as I tried to assess the damage. The bullet had hit him in the abdomen, and the blood was flowing too quickly. I pressed my hands against the wound, trying to staunch the bleeding, but the crimson liquid just kept coming.

"Stay with me, Bennett," I begged, my voice breaking. "Please, you can't leave us."

Bennett's eyes fluttered open, pain and determination mingling in their depths. "Tessa… you need to be strong," he gasped, his breath coming in shallow, labored gulps. "Mason… he needs you."

I nodded, tears blurring my vision. "I won’t let anything happen to him," I promised, though my heart ached with the fear that it was a promise I might not be able to keep.

Gunfire erupted again, the sharp cracks echoing through the warehouse. I glanced up to see Mason and Loomis locked in a deadly dance, each move calculated, each shot fired with lethal intent.

"Mason!" I screamed, my voice raw. "Watch out!"

But my warning came too late. Loomis moved with a speed and precision that seemed almost superhuman, and I watched in horror as he managed to clip Mason’s arm, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"No!" I cried, my voice a mixture of despair and fury. I couldn't lose them both, not like this.

Desperation fueled my next actions. I grabbed a piece of debris lying nearby—a heavy metal rod—and, with every ounce of strength I had, hurled it at Loomis. The rod struck him in the side, and he staggered, momentarily distracted.

Mason seized the opportunity, launching himself at Loomis with a renewed ferocity. The two of them crashed to the ground, a tangle of limbs and raw rage. I could hear the grunts of exertion, the sound of fists connecting with flesh.

I turned my attention back to Bennett, who was growing paler by the second. "Stay with me," I pleaded again, applying as much pressure as I could to the wound. "Help is coming, I promise."

But even as I said the words, a cold dread settled in my stomach. We were alone, outmatched, and running out of time.

POV

Mason's

The pain in my arm was intense, but I pushed it aside, focusing all my energy on subduing Loomis. He was strong, fueled by a relentless drive for vengeance, but I was fighting for something more—for my family, for Tessa, for the future we all deserved.

I managed to land a solid punch to Loomis's jaw, sending him reeling. "This ends now," I growled, my voice a fierce promise. "You'll never hurt us again."

Loomis spat blood, his eyes blazing with a dark, twisted hatred. "You think you can stop me?" he sneered. "I'm always a step ahead, Mason. You can't win."

But as he spoke, I saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes—a crack in the facade. I pressed the advantage, using every bit of strength I had left to subdue him. The struggle was fierce, brutal, but I was fueled by a desperation that gave me the edge.

With a final, desperate surge of energy, I managed to wrestle the gun from Loomis's grip and throw it out of reach. He snarled, trying to break free, but I pinned him down, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

"It's over, Loomis," I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "You're finished."

For a moment, there was silence. And then, slowly, Loomis began to laugh—a low, menacing sound that sent chills down my spine. "You think this is over?" he said, his voice a taunt. "This is just the beginning."

Before I could respond, the sound of sirens filled the air. Backup had arrived, and Loomis's reign of terror was finally coming to an end.

But as I looked over at Tessa, still fighting to save Bennett, I knew our battle was far from over. The road ahead would be long and hard, but we had survived this night, and together, we could face whatever came next.