Chapter 244
Adrian Kael
I stand up immediately, walk to the shelf, and grab the first aid kit. I return to him with firm hands, even though I’m shaking inside, and begin to treat the wounds: I clean every cut carefully to prevent
infection
I
ointments to the open areas, spreading the salve with
ats. I know the pain is coming now: I take an anti-
y pill. It’s going to sting; his lips are split and sensitive,
s no alternative.
the pill in my mouth, take a gulp of water, tilt his head, and with ss that mixes urgency and tenderness, I make him swallow the
dicine.
le coughs, his breathing heavy; my hands knead his chest in a light massage until the rhythm steadies again. The relief is small but real.
I return to his face: I put ointment on his cracked lips, soothe the hematoma around his eye with cold compresses, and spread it carefully over his swollen cheek. I kiss his head gently.
1/5
Chapter 244
“I’ll be right back, my love. Rest.” I lightly run my thumb over his
cheek.
I leave the cell with quick, firm steps. My expression hardens; my
calm shatters like broken glass. The fury rising now isn’t just anger-
it’s a collarless animal, hot and blind, ready to devour whoever is in
front of me.
Navarro flashes in my mind like a typhoon. Only he had a grudge so
deep–rooted and a hate so personal, and it was always easy to see in
his eyes that mixture of envy and contempt. Imagining that mouth,
which so many times spoke ill of Magnus, ignites something
primitive.
I want to tear away every inch of that arrogance.
ee every muscle of his ache.
th the hate comes fear like a cold blade. Thinking about
d not finding him by my side made my stomach turn to
of Magnus fallen on the floor still pulses behind my
e one who gives meaning to everything is a possibility that
s me. Insecurity becomes fuel: that’s why this fury burns so
cause the terror of no longer having him turns every
225
Chapter 244
heartbeat into a promise of vengeance.
The decision firms in my chest: there will be no mercy for whoever
dared to touch him. My mind already rehearses what will be done:
cold confrontations and debts collected down to the last cent of that
individual’s courage.
I reach the cafeteria; my eyes scan the room until I find him: Navarro,
surrounded by the usual group. A slow smile escapes my lips. David
moves toward me; I glance at him, say nothing, and head straight for
the center of the gang.
“Good evening, boys. Enjoying the night?” My voice cuts the air; the
icy tone stares them all down.
Navarro retorts with his usual arrogance, an easy smile on his face.
“We’re doing well, thanks for asking, Adrian.”
I give a wide smile, enough to shake his arrogance for a moment.
“I’m glad you’re well,” I say dryly. “Because I want to fight you,
Navarro. Clean hands, a fair fight. Or do you prefer something dirty,
like a knife?”
The bastard’s face closes up. A hoarse sound escapes; he jumps up
3/5
Chapter 244
and advances without hesitation. We stand face–to–face; his breath
hits my face hot, heavy, and full of spite.
“Then let’s fight. Avenge your dear executioner.” The provocation
comes out like a slap.
Before I can respond, Navarro strikes first. The punch hits my face
dead–on, and the metallic taste of blood fills my mouth.
He takes advantage of the opening and lands a knee to my stomach,
knocking the wind out of me, followed by a dry kick to my ribs that
makes me step back.
When he raises his fist again, ready to hit my face, I catch his hand in
mid–air–firm, fast–and stare at him with a macabre smile.
“My turn.”
I pull him forward and land a brutal knee to his stomach. The sound
is muffled, but the impact makes him double over. Without letting go
of his fist, I pull hard and deliver a precise headbutt to his forehead.
He staggers, taking two steps back, dazed.
4/5
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
