Chapter 52
The night air was thick with tension as Aster, Rea, and Jaxon crouched behind the rusted remains of an old truck, just outside the industrial site. The place was a graveyard of metal and decay, but beneath it—deep underground—was their target.
Aster adjusted the strap of his knife holster. "So, who's the mystery guest we're rescuing?"
Jaxon didn't look at him. "Don't worry about it."
Aster scoffed. "You dragged us into this, and you're still keeping secrets?"
Jaxon's jaw clenched. "Knowing won't change what we have to do."
Rea shot Aster a warning glance before turning back to Jaxon. "How many guards?"
Jaxon peeked over the truck. "Four at the entrance. More inside. We need to be quiet—if the alarm goes off, we're screwed."
Aster smirked. "Stealth isn't really my thing."
Jaxon didn't even bother responding. Instead, he nodded toward Rea. "You take the left. Aster and I will handle the right. We move fast, no noise."
Aster rolled his eyes but followed as Jaxon led the way through the shadows. The industrial site loomed above them, a rusted corpse of a building, its shattered windows glowing faintly with dim security lights. The entrance was heavily guarded—four men stood by the door, rifles slung over their shoulders, chatting quietly.
Jaxon held up a fist, signaling them to stop. Then, without another word, he vanished into the darkness.
Rea moved left. Aster exhaled and went right.
Jaxon struck first.
Silent. Efficient.
His blade slid across the throat of the first guard before the man even had a chance to react.
Aster followed suit, lunging forward and slamming his knife into the ribs of the second guard, catching him before he hit the ground.
Rea handled her side just as quickly, taking out the last two with quiet, precise movements.
Within seconds, the entrance was clear.
Jaxon wiped his blade on one of the dead men's jackets and gestured toward the door. "We go in fast."
Aster grinned. "Finally."
Rea sighed. "Let's just get this over with."
Jaxon pulled open the door, and they slipped inside.
---
The underground facility was colder than expected, the air damp and metallic. The corridors stretched endlessly, dimly lit with flickering overhead lights. Jaxon led the way, navigating the maze of hallways with practiced ease.
Aster glanced at him. "You've been here before."
Jaxon didn't answer.
They moved quickly, sticking to the shadows, avoiding security cameras. Thanks to Eric's work, the system was down, but there was no telling how long that would last.
Then, finally—
Jaxon stopped in front of a thick metal door.
"This is it," he whispered.
Rea moved to the keypad beside it. "How do we—"
Before she could finish, Jaxon yanked a keycard from his pocket and swiped it. The door clicked open.
Aster raised a brow. "Convenient."
Jaxon ignored him and pushed inside.
The room was dark, damp, barely bigger than a cell. And in the center—
A woman sat on the floor, chained to the wall.
Her head was down, hair tangled and falling over her face. Her clothes were torn, her wrists bruised.
Aster's stomach turned.
Jaxon stepped forward. "Christy?"
The woman lifted her head.
Her eyes narrowed. "Took you long enough."
Rea blinked in shock. "Wait—Christy? Celeste's sister? I thought she was dead."
Aster frowned. "Didn't she betray Collaway?"
Christy smirked, despite the bruises on her face. "That I did. And he didn't take it well."
Jaxon knelt, working quickly to undo her restraints. "We don't have time for your games. Can you walk?"
Christy stretched her arms dramatically. "Oh, I can do more than walk."
Aster muttered, "Why do I feel like we just freed a snake?"
Christy's sharp gaze flickered to him. "Because you did, darling."
Rea sighed. "We need to move."
Jaxon pulled Christy to her feet, steadying her. "Let's go."
---
They made it back through the halls, weaving between shadows, keeping their movements swift. But as they reached the upper levels, the distant sound of voices sent a chill down Aster's spine.
The alarm had been triggered.
Jaxon cursed under his breath. "We need to run."
Rea grabbed her gun. "Then let's move."
Aster smirked, twirling his knife. "Finally, some action."
Christy raised a brow. "Oh, I like him."
Jaxon shoved Aster forward. "Shut up and run."
And then the gunfire started.
Bullets tore through the air, shattering pipes and ricocheting off metal walls. The underground compound erupted into chaos as Collaway's men swarmed from every direction, their boots pounding against the floor.
Jaxon pulled Christy behind cover as Aster and Rea fired back, the muzzle flashes briefly illuminating the dim hallway.
"We need another exit!" Rea shouted, ducking as a bullet whizzed past her head.
"There is no other exit!" Jaxon snapped. "We fight our way out."
Aster grinned, his knife glinting in the flickering light. "Now this is my kind of rescue mission."
Rea elbowed him. "Not the time."
Jaxon reloaded, his jaw clenched. "Rea, take Christy and get out. Aster and I will cover you."
Christy scoffed. "Excuse me? I'm not some helpless little thing—"
"Move," Jaxon growled.
Rea grabbed Christy's wrist, yanking her toward the hallway as Aster and Jaxon took position, raining fire on the advancing guards.
Bodies fell.
The smell of gunpowder thickened the air.
Aster lunged, driving his knife into the throat of a soldier who got too close, then wrenched it free and turned just in time to see another one aiming at Jaxon. Without thinking, Aster grabbed the dead soldier's pistol and fired, dropping the attacker before he could shoot.
Jaxon blinked. "You—"
"No time for thank-yous," Aster muttered.
They ran.
---
Rea and Christy had made it to the main exit, but the heavy metal doors were slowly sealing shut.
Rea turned to Christy. "You're smart, right? Get it open!"
Christy cracked her knuckles. "I thought you'd never ask."
She sprinted toward the security panel, yanking wires loose, her fingers moving with inhuman speed. Sparks flew, the console beeped angrily, and the doors froze halfway.
"That's the best I can do," Christy said. "Hope your boys hurry up."
---
Jaxon and Aster fought their way forward, reaching the corridor just as another wave of guards poured in.
Jaxon ducked, grabbing a fallen rifle and tossing it to Aster.
Aster caught it midair, cocking it with a smirk. "Now this is fun."
Jaxon rolled his eyes. "Move!"
They ran, gunning down anyone in their path.
Christy yelled from the doorway, "Unless you want to be trapped in here forever, I suggest speeding up!"
Rea fired at the last remaining guard, then turned toward the two boys. "Hurry!"
Jaxon and Aster sprinted toward the open gap in the doors just as sirens blared.
Reinforcements.
With one final push, they dove through the half-open doors.
Aster landed hard, rolling onto his back. "That was way too close."
Jaxon stood, breathless. "We're not done yet."
Rea pointed to a black SUV parked nearby. "Get in!"
Without hesitation, they piled into the vehicle, and Christy, to everyone's surprise, slid into the driver's seat.
Aster raised a brow. "You drive?"
Christy smirked, revving the engine. "Sweetheart, I do everything."
The tires screeched as they sped off into the night, leaving the compound—and Collaway's men—far behind.