The front door of the mansion loomed like the gates of hell, splintered from the intruders' assault. Aaron and Ken exchange a single look, unspoken, sharp. Then they moved.
Ken tossed a smoke grenade through the shattered glass, the hiss and cloud swallowing the entrance. The shout erupted inside-confusion. Aaron didn't hesitate. He stormed in first, bullets ripping into the men who staggered out of the fog.
A grand foyer was a warzone. Chandeliers shattered overhead, glass crunching underfoot. Furniture lay overturned, blood pooling in streaks across the marble floor.
"Aaron!" one of the few surviving guards shouted, pinned behind a column.
"They came through the west wing -" A spray of bullets cut him off, and he slumped lifeless.
Aaron's fury darkened. He fired back with ruthless precision, each shot a promise.
Ken covered his flank, his voice steady even in chaos. " We can't waste time. They will take Mina first if Fernando gives the order."
The name was gasoline to Aaron's rage. He pushed forward, heart hammering. Calling out her name once, desperate and raw -"Mina!"
A muffled scream answered from upstairs. Aaron froze. His blood ran calories and then hot. His princess.
"They are upstairs." Ken hissed, already charging for the staircase.
Aaron followed, blasting through the last line of men guarding the stairs. The house shook with violence -smoke, gunfire, flames creeping higher.
Aaron halted in his steps when he reached her room. He pushed away memories which threatened to surface.
Mina loaded her magazine before she shot the man behind Naarah. His feet were stuck to the ground. He couldn't swallow the lump which had made its way to his throat. That was his girl. She was fighting for her life and he can't say he isn't proud of it.
Mina's brows furrowed as she felt an intense gaze on her. Without thinking much she turned to the door. She froze. Was she seeing things right, or was the smoke in the lungs too much?
"Aaron?" she whispered.
Aaron met her glassy gaze. His eyes scrutinised her body. She looked toned and he couldn't wait to wrap his hand around her waist and feel her lips on his.
"Mina, watch out!" Naarah snapped.
The bullet pierced her shoulder, and a hiss left her mouth.
"Princess!" Aaron roared.
His head snapped to the man who pulled the trigger.
Bang. Bang. Bang. The guard's lifeless body hit the ground.
Aaron rushed to her before she could fall on the ground.
" Mina, hold on." He applied pressure to her wound.
"You're alive?" Mina whispered
Her heart twisted in pain when she felt his hand on her wound. Aaron avoided her gaze. He could feel the betrayal in them.
He carried her in his arms and left the room.
" The fuck did I see, Aaron?" Naarah exclaimed with her eyes widened.
" Focus, Williams. We don't want you dead." Ken said
Naarah looked at him before scoffing. If she could see Kendrick here then that means her cousin was alive.