"Would you kill, to save a life?"

*************

Lilly's POV

Fear prickled under the surface of my skin as I drank into the feedback of what's happening. My skin itched under the effect of the tight ropes and my shocked gaze drifted around the big room, trying to understand where the hell I am. Nothing looked familiar.

I gulped down and my chest heaved up and down, hyperventilating at the realization. Oh god, he kidnapped me, he actually kidnapped me.

What is he gonna do to me?

My eyes fell back on him as he edged forward toward me. He crouched down, leveling himself and when he got so close, I immediately pressed my eyes shut and flinched away, scared of what he might do. I didn't know what to expect from him anymore. He isn't the Christian I thought I knew once, not the caring, not the gentle one, not the one who loved me. He is the Christian who hates me and my family. The Christian who lied. The one who is willing to hurt us at all costs.

When nothing happened, I pried my eyes open and hesitantly looked back at him. He was staring back at me in pure confusion, his eyebrows pulled closer, "Are you crazy?" He questioned, in disbelief of my reaction, "I am not gonna hurt you."

My jaw tightened, "And I am supposed to believe that, considering you kidnapped me!"

"I didn't kidnap you," He mumbled, barely audible as his hand went to mine and he started to untie the ropes from over my wrists.

"Yeah, I willingly knocked myself down and sleepwalked to this place, and then I tied myself up and waited for you!" I shot out, sarcastically, bewildered at his words and beyond scared at the situation I am in, but I won't show him that.

He didn't say anything back, the muscles of his jaw worked, and his gaze was focused on my hands only as he freed them from the ropes. His fingers were wrapped over my arm, steadying it. When the ropes fell down, his finger moved and gently caressed the red skin underneath.

I pulled my hands back, out of his grasp, and I rubbed at my wrists, wincing at the feeling. When my eyes met his again, I asked, "What are you gonna do to me?"

He stared at me for a long second before he said, "I don't know."

"Then, why did you bring me here?!" I snapped, frustrated.

"I didn't bring you here," He mumbled, his words driving me insane and I tried to get up to my feet, but his hands over my shoulders stopped me, "Don't even think about it," He stressed out, his voice hard and warning, "I said I am not gonna hurt you," He stressed out and the muscles of his jaw ticked as he held me down with a stare, "So, don't force me to do otherwise."

He left his threatening there and got up to his feet, he walked a bit far away from me and I let my gaze wander around the room. It was big and mostly empty, with a black door right at the end. My escape. I will find a way to escape, I won't let him hurt me.

"They're gonna notice I am not there, you know," I said, my turn to threaten him, "They will find me."

Sally and Noah, they will notice my absence, they would tell uncle Roman, he would tell dad and he will immediately come for me. The thought had my throat tightening and I silently pleaded; please dad, come and save me.

"Not right away, they won't," He said, turning around to look at me.

Confusion at his comment must've been written all over my face, because he pulled a phone from his pocket, no, not any phone, my phone, and he showed it to me, "Thanks to this," He added and looked at the screen, as if reading through my messages, "Your friend now thinks you're with your uncle, your uncle thinks you're with your friend," He said, "Your mother does text you a lot, but worry not, she won't suspect a thing."

My heart thudded harshly against my chest at his words, but at least he didn't mention Noah, maybe he didn't know that Noah was there, he probably doesn't know that he works for my dad. Oh, please Noah, you are my only hope right now, you must notice that something is wrong.

Christian's gaze flickered from the phone to me, and his eyebrow raised, "And your ex-boyfriend is checking up on you," He remarked with mockery, "How sweet," Nothing was sweet about the way he said it.

I looked down at my lap, thinking about Chase, he was by my side every second of the day, he knew how much it scared me to be here alone. I wish he didn't leave, maybe then, this would've not happened. My chest tightened and I gathered my strength, "Sooner or later, they will notice I am not the one texting back," I added, not giving up, "Till then, I would've known what I am gonna do with you," He answered, sitting down against the pillar right across from me.

I held him with a confident stare, "You have no idea what my dad is gonna do to you."

My words had him looking away, and the muscles of his jaw worked, mentioning my dad not settling very well with him. I took my time to stare at him, noticing his disheveled hair, the eye bags under his eyes, and the stubble over his jaw that has grown more than ever. Joe said it, Christian is scared. He knows that one way or another, my dad will catch him, he is scared of that, I am sure.

I curled my hand into a fist, he better be scared, "Why did you hurt my brother?" I had to ask, because I am finally facing him after everything went downhill.

He whipped his head toward me, "I said I didn't hurt your brother!" He snapped, frustrated at the accusation.

"Then, who did?" I snapped back, edging my upper body forward, "If it's not you, then who did it?"

He didn't answer me, his eyes raging with anger, darkening the grey in them to a shade I've never seen on him before. I wanted to scream more, to shout, I wanted to let all my anger and pain and hit him, but I stopped myself, deciding against triggering him now.

I breathed in and out, counting to ten before talking. If I want to leave here, I need to play it smart, I need to put my emotions aside and try to get on his weak side. I don't know how, but I should try the least. If I can get my phone from him, one text-only and then dad can find me, he can catch him, he can finally figure out who hurt Max.

I ruined this, I should fix it. This could be my way to do so.

Christian raked his hand through his hair, fisting it between his fingers, his gaze drifting away from me, the nervousness radiating off him in waves. He looked so lost, teetering right at the edge. He really has no idea what to do with me.

"I was pregnant," I started, bringing his attention to me.

He whipped his head, his shocked gaze meeting mine. Something heavy pressed over my chest and I added, "It's gone, don't worry."

A war of emotions raged into his eyes and he nodded, "Good."

"Good?" I questioned, my eyebrow raising, "That's all you've got to say?"

He nodded, "There is no way I would've let you have that child, you know that," He said, a bit of disgust in his tone.

"If the thought of having my child disgusts you that much, then how were you able to do it for two years?" I stressed out, the heavyweight increasing and pressing tighter, because whether I want to admit it or not, he broke my heart. If I put everything about my family aside, the truths and the lies, I can admit that at a point I loved this man, I loved the lie he gave me, and he broke that and my trust in the worst way possible and it hurts, it really hurts.

"If I am your enemy, then how were you able to kiss me, hug me, touch me and sleep with me?" I tried my best to keep my tone steady, "We practically lived together, how were you able to look at my face every morning when you hate me so much-"

"I don't hate you," He interrupted, "I told you, Lilly, I hate your family, not you."

I shook my head, "Same thing, they're my family, they're part of who I am."

He shook his head, "I am not a monster, I know you are innocent, you didn't do anything wrong, you were just my way in, so yeah, I lied, I used you, but I wouldn't go to the point of physically hurt you like you thought I was about to-"

"But you'd go to the point of physically hurting my brother-" I was triggering him again, hoping he'd spit out the truth.

"I said I didn't do it!" His voice bellowed into the empty space of the room, coming back as an echo, as he inched closer to me, the anger etched his face into someone I didn't recognize.

"But, you know who did it," I mumbled, my voice lower now, his presence consuming and overbearing, "Please, tell me who, maybe then my dad would go easy on you, just tell me-"

He scoffed, "Your dad would kill me just for the fact of where I come from," He said, very confident in his words and I shook my head, disagreeing, "No, you don't know who my dad is, he'd never hurt an innocent person, you don't know him at all."

That same disgusted look came back, "I don't need to, he's the man who killed my father, I don't need to know more."

"Your father hurt my family, and my dad did what anyone would do, he was protecting us," I remarked, "Same thing your father would've probably done for you."

"I know what my father did," Christian said and I hoped he'd tell me what, I wasn't gonna show him that I still don't know, "He was your uncle's right-hand man," I gulped down, trying not to look so shocked, "He followed orders, your father killed him for revenge against his brother, and guess what, in the end, the bigger evil, your dear uncle stayed alive," His eyebrows pulled closer, "He was forgiven, he got a second chance, and why?" He added, "Just because they share the same blood, while my father was thrown out without a second thought."

"So, you can go on day and night explaining how good of a father he was to you, how good of a man he is to those around him," He shook his head, "That won't change the fact that he's the villain in my story, that he ruined my life," He grated out through clenched teeth and so much hurt bled in his eyes, "You wouldn't understand because you grew up as daddy's little princess, you had everything, you didn't need a thing, your dad protected and shielded you from any pain, while after the explosion, I was on the streets for weeks, I was starving, I was slowly dying, I had nowhere to go, I had no one, all because of your family!"

He shook his head in bewilderment, the white in his eyes turning red as the pain etched his face, "So, can you really blame me for hating them?"

I looked down, the ache pressing over my chest felt so misplaced. I wasn't going to take his side again, I wasn't going to sympathize for him, but that little part of me that cared for him at one point, that part ached for him now and I hated that so much.

"So yeah, maybe my father was a bad man, but he was a great father," He added and I didn't dare to look at him, I didn't want him to see the part of me hurting right now, "My mother died when I was just a baby, I don't even remember her, I didn't need to, because he gave me everything I needed, he was a mother and a father, he was all I had," I understood that part, because no matter what dad did or would do, I am gonna still need him more than anything, "And your uncle and father need to understand that they have no right to play God and decide who lives and dies!"

My gaze lifted up to meet his and I shook my head, ever so weakly, "But Christian, this is...this is not going to do you any good, this is just gonna hurt you more," He was still wrong, "What did you gain now, huh?" I hoped he'd understand it somehow, "After two years of manipulating me, after exposing the truth, what did you gain?"

His jaw tightened, "Nothing, that's why it fucking sucks!"

I nodded, "Because that's what revenge does, it's not gonna bring your father back."

He shook his head, "No, that's not it," The hurt in his eyes slowly faded away and it was replaced back by pure blind rage, "I didn't hurt him enough," He stressed out, "I thought maybe I'd be able to take you away from him, but you forgave him way too easily, your brother forgave him, he still didn't feel what it's like to lose, and if I could only get myself to do it, if only-"

If only he could physically hurt me. If he's thinking about it, then he might actually do it.

"No, Christian, my dad lost more than you can imagine," Tears prickled my eyes, "He's been hurt already, he paid for that," I shook my head, "Don't think the killing was easy on him, he said, it took a chunk out of him," A couple of tears fell from my eyes, "He lost more than you can imagine, he had been through hell, so you should stop this, please, no matter what, he doesn't deserve to get hurt more," The thought terrified me, I've been through every scenario, but not the one where I could lose my dad, but now Christian's rage got me scared and thinking, that what if, what if he actually went to the extent of hurting my dad in that way.

Christian rushed a hand over his face, he closed his eyes for a second, trapping all of his emotions inside, "Revenge wasn't part of my plan, you know," He said, his voice lower now, energyless and drained. His eyelids glided open and he looked at me, "I was struggling through life, trying to build mine, trying to make something out of myself, trying to make up for the past," He explained, "I was doing by my father's wishes because he told me once that he didn't want me to follow into his footsteps, he didn't want me to be part of that world, he told me to do whatever I wanted."

A small somber smile pulled up his lips, "For some time, I was okay, I was content that I made something on my own, I was finishing up my Ph.D., I was really okay...till that day," He shook his head, "There was a conference at your university and I attended it, I went, but not for a second even did it cross my mind that I'd see him there," His gaze got lost into the memory, "You see, the thing is, you never forget the face of the man who killed your father, you can never," He shook his head, "His face was imprinted into my brain and there he was, after all these years, right in front of me."

"And just like that, everything went crashing down, everything I have done for myself felt so pointless at that moment, but I knew I couldn't do anything, I mean what chance did I stand against him," His eyebrow raised, "Then, I saw you with him, his little girl," He mockingly remarked, "He looked at you like he wanted to wrap you up and shield you away from everything and I knew, I knew that you could be my only way in."

"It was still my first year there," I mumbled, doing the math in my brain, realizing that he saw me long long before he met me at the bar.

He nodded, "I had to be smart about it, I needed to study you before I make any step forward," He said, the words effortlessly leaving his mouth, and harshly stabbing me in the heart, "I needed to know how can I pull you to me, how can I get you to trust me, I had to know everything."

"I always felt like you knew me, I just thought you understood me so well," I shook my head, the betrayal had the tears gathering back in my eyes, "But no, you actually knew me."

The air I sucked into my lungs got trapped into my throat and I gasped lowly before I looked down at my lap. Stupid, god, how stupid I was. I was happy with him, after a long time, I thought I had found someone who could make me forget all the heartbreak Chase's absence left in me. All while I was just a task for him, someone he studied. No wonder I got pulled to him so fast, he knew what I liked, and what I didn't, he knew exactly what I wanted.

The tears blurred my vision and I pressed my hand to my mouth, trying to hold myself back but the heartbreak that I surely deserved, left me over a whisper, "I hate you."

I wiped at my cheeks, recalling back every moment, every word and I scoffed at myself, "That first day you told me that you got the job you were waiting for," I said, shaking my head in disbelief, "It was only so you could get closer to me."

He nodded, "Exactly," He explained, "One nightstand and then the next day I am in your class, too much of a coincidence, didn't you think?"

I shook my head because I was blinded by the thrill he gave me. Stupid and naive. So fucking stupid.

"I loved you," I mumbled, my eyes falling back on him, "No, not you, I would've never loved this you, the real you," My words had his eyes dimming down, "I loved the lie you gave me," I added with a low sigh, "It was a perfect lie."

"That was the point," Was all he said as he turned and looked away.

"You manipulated me very well, always showing how much you loved your father, what his absence did to you, you slowly uncovered the little broken boy in you because you were just preparing me," I wanted to talk about it all, to face it once and for all, "So when you'd show me the truth, I'd take your side."

He nodded, "It worked."

"For a really short while," Because I was still so stupid, "I just needed to open my eyes and see the actual truth, see all the pain my parents went through," Nothing could ever turn me against them now. I did that mistake once, I am never repeating it again, "You see them as the villains, but they were victims, just like you."

I hoped he'd understand me and stop, because despite how much I hate everything he did, I am still very much against the idea of them killing him like they said. I think he's telling the truth for once, he didn't hurt Max. So, he doesn't deserve to die just because he lied to me. I will never come to terms with the idea the way dad did.

Christian is right in one thing, dad and Nikolas can't play judge, jury, and executioner. That's the only thing I will still disagree with dad on, which is so contradictive, because he is the one who raised me to feel like this, to see the good in people, just like he saw whatever good was left in his brother.

I got up to my feet and Christian's guarded eyes immediately shot to my face, they calmed down when he saw me just stepping forward toward him. I paused, right in front of him, my tone pleading at first, "Christian, just tell me who hurt my brother, because if there is someone out there who wants to hurt my family with such cruelty, I need to know, please tell me and I will talk with my dad, I will convince him to spare your life, I promise," I said, reaching for that ounce of fear flashing in those grey eyes, "But if you won't, if you will stick to their side and still want to hurt my family as well," My jaw tightened, "Then yeah, I would rather have you dead than any other member of my family getting hurt again."

For a second there, a bit of understatement seemed to flash in his gaze, but it was gone right away, his rage still blinding him from any logical decision, "You've really got some nerve on you," He scoffed, "I told you I am keeping you here to figure out what I am gonna do with you, and believe me, I might just have to hurt you in the end."

I shook my head, "You won't." I wasn't sure of that myself, but I had to try and see.

His eyebrow raised, "Still naive, I see."

I shrugged, "Maybe I am," I said, "But I think that a part of you, as small as it is, loved me as well," I shook my head, "You won't admit it, because your hate is much stronger than that feeling but Christian, it could've not been all just an act, no one can act that good," I think I am right because I can sense the slightest shift in his expression, "You said it yourself, it was supposed to be one year only, then why did it last more?" I continued to trigger that part, wishing I am right, hoping he would tell me or he'd let me go so I can fix this, "It's because you felt something and it felt good, and you didn't want it to end so soon."

I am sure I hit a place somewhere deep in him, because instead of denying it, he just walked past me, refusing to face the fact. He unlocked the door and stepped out before he slammed it shut again and I heard the clicking sound of the key.

I pulled into a deep breath and sat down on the cold floor, my eyes taking another look over my surroundings. I let out a low sigh and thought; a bit more pressure and maybe I can get through to him, or I would make him snap and he'd end up hurting me for real.

Coldness swept over me and I was glad I am still wearing my motor's jacket, I zipped it all the way up, burying myself in it, and placed my cold hands into the pockets, warming them up. I felt something inside, something soft and small. Flustered, I pulled it out. My eyes widened as they fell into what's laying inside my palm.

Tears rushed to my eyes and emotions overwhelmed my whole being as I stared at the blue ribbon. A small somber smile curved my lips as I traced its silky material with my finger. When did he place it in my pocket? I didn't even know. I don't...understand.

I fisted it into my palm, tightly holding into it, scared to lose it yet again. I brought my fisted hand to my mouth, and I rested my other hand over it. I closed my eyes, letting my tears free, because I knew how badly I deserved what Christian did to me. His lies and betrayal. I deserved them because I've hurt a guy who did nothing but love me with everything he had.

I opened my fist and took another look at it; A guy who'd still stand by my side after everything, who won't bear to see me in pain even though at a point, I've caused his.

I placed the ribbon back into my pocket, keeping it safe inside and in the middle of this uncertain situation, and despite Christian's unstable decisions, I wasn't scared anymore.

For me, colors always had meanings. It was what my ribbons were for. It was my weird trait since a very young age, we all have that weird thing that makes us different. This was mine, and only Chase knew about it. Only he understood it. He knew how giving meanings to a color helped me keep my feelings and emotions guarded.

Each color had a meaning, and this is what blue meant.

It meant hope. It meant strength, and one more thing I am not ready to say out loud yet.

***************

Nikolas's POV

"We have a problem."

I never liked that sentence. At this moment, I could've not hated it more.

I stared back at Ronald, the fear slowly creeping up at my inside, somehow sensing his next words as I urgently asked, "What's wrong?"

He placed his phone over the table and pressed the speaker icon, "Noah, speak up."

"Something is not right," Noah said, proving my dreadful feelings right.

Panic spread all over my chest, my fingers tightened over the table's edge and I kept repeating the same sentence over and over in my brain. She is okay. She is okay. She has to be or else I don't know what I will do, "Where is Lilly?" I shot out, fully knowing where this conversation is headed.

"At first, she was mad at me, I thought she ran away and went home," Noah explained and my grip over the edge tightened more, needing to rush the hell out of here and get her, "Then, when I went there, her friend told me she texted her that she will be staying with Roman," I pressed my eyes shut; what the fuck did you do Chris?

"I went to Roman's place and she is not there," Noah added, "I think Christian got her, I don't know how, I had looked all over the Motorcross park when she was in there, making sure there was no threat, he wasn't there, I am sure, I just...I don't get it!" He added in frustration.

"Hold on, the text message came from her phone, right?" The logical part of my brain acted and I immediately pulled my phone out and dialed. Ronald stared back at me in confusion and I explained, "I bugged her phone before she got here, just in case," I didn't take her phone to just write my number, I knew I'd be the last person she'd ever call, but I needed to make sure, in case anything happens, I will be able to reach her still.

"Jeremy, Lilly's phone, quick," I ordered when he picked out, my tone urgent and he sensed it, "Give me a second and I will send you."

I placed the phone in front of me, impatiently waiting for the location, "Noah, did you tell Alex?" I asked, anxiously tapping my fingers over the table, my skin itching, and my brain thinking of the possible ways I am gonna rip Chris apart for daring to come near her again.

"No, not yet, I called Ronald first."

I nodded, "Okay, don't," I ordered, "I will get her, then I will call him." He is already on his nerves with Max and everything happening. I will get her, make sure she is all alright, then I will tell him. It would do no one any good to worry him when he is all the way on the other side.

My phone buzzed with Jeremy's message and I hurriedly looked it up, "Noah, I am sending you the location now, you are closer, go there first," Ronald immediately understood and went to get back up, "We are gonna be there as fast as we can," My jaw tightened and I pulled my gun out, making sure it's loaded, the fury rushing through my veins made me see red as I grated out, "And Noah, you can shoot him, but don't kill him, I need him alive."

**************

Lilly's POV

He pushed the tray of food forward, "Eat," He said for the umpteenth time, more like ordered.

I rolled my eyes at him and looked away. He disappeared for I don't know how long, maybe an hour or two, then came back with a plate of food and water. Such a gentleman. I scoffed. Treating his prisoner the right way.

"Lilly, don't be stubborn," He mumbled, totally annoyed, "You know you're gonna have to eat one way or another."

I raised my shoulders up, refusing, "No, I am hoping I am gonna be out of here before I have to," I remarked and he let out a loud sigh, probably cursed something under his breath, and gave up on forcing me to eat or drink.

He got up to his feet when something else seemed to grab his attention. His gaze drifted to the door as noises from outside became more clear, I heard them too, more like footsteps nearing. Oh my god, did they find me?

Christian's hand went to the back of his pants, he pulled out a knife and my eyes widened, I jumped up, the survival instincts kicked in and I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Help!" I hoped whoever was out there could hear me, "Help, I am here!"

"Lilly!" Noah's voice and his rushed footsteps had relief spreading down over my chest but it didn't last long when Christian's hand wrapped over my arm, harshly pulling me to him, my back pressed against his chest and I gasped when I felt the coldness of the knife's tip press to my neck, "Don't you dare move," he grated out and my eyes widened, one breath only and the knife could cut right through my skin. Too much for not wanting to hurt me.

Noah pushed at the door, trying to open it before I heard a gunshot being fired, metal clattered to the ground before the door was pushed open and he stepped inside.

My eyes met his, mine pleading, and his softened for a second as they seemed to give me a quick scan before they went to Christian behind me, they hardened immediately and he aimed his gun forward, "Let her go!" He threatened, his teeth clenching and he took another step forward.

Christian pressed the knife further up against my skin, I gasped at the feeling, knowing he had cut through just a little bit, "Stay back!" Christain warned, the venom in his tone made me believe that he could really hurt me now.

Noah's jaw tightened, his eyes drifting between the knife and Christian's face, calculating how he can save me without me getting hurt, "Put the gun down," Christian ordered.

Noah glared at him, "You fucker, I am gonna kill you."

"I said put the fucking gun down, or I swear to god," He started and Noah immediately lowered the gun down in panic when Christian's hand moved a bit beside my throat, "Okay, stop, fucking stop," Noah said, his eyes assessing my state.

My eyes met his for a mere second, and I hoped if he can sense my unspoken message. I knew how to get myself free of Christian's grip, dad had shown me this before, he taught me this exact defense move. I didn't try it in a serious situation like this ever, I don't know if I am capable of it even. This could end in two ways, I could get myself free or Christian will be faster and the knife will slit my throat.

So, I need to be fast, so very fast.

"Push the gun to the ground," Christian threatened and I raised my eyebrows, telling Noah a big no, because once I am free, that if I succeed, I am gonna need him to attack Christian right away.

I didn't wait for more, the adrenaline and the fear of Noah getting hurt as well pushed me to do it. In one swift very quick motion, I placed one hand under his elbow, the other above it, right at that second, I kicked his leg with my feet and swirled around so fast, pushing his knife-wielding hand away from me.

My action was so unexpected at Christian's side, it startled him for a second and that gave me the advantage. Noah has gotten my message because the second I was free, he was lunging forward at Christian and they both tumbled to the ground, fighting.

My eyes widened at the scene playing ahead of me, one punch thrown after the other. Noah was strong, but Christian wasn't weak either. He flipped him, gaining strength over Noah and he took his turn to land one punch after the other over his face, Noah dodged most of them and he fought back, but Christian's position gave him the upper hand.

I couldn't stand still, I had to do something. My fear pushed me forward, my urgent hands landing over Christian's shoulder, "Leave him! Let go-" I cried out, trying to pry him away from Noah, but he was past making sense, and the next thing I felt was my body being thrown backward with so much force I almost felt myself flying.

My back hit the pillar with a thud, my arm came under me in a very twisted position, and I think the scream that echoed in the room came from my sore throat, because the pain I felt was like nothing I've ever felt before. I think my hand broke or my bones twisted, I didn't understand, the amount of pain overpowered all of my senses, I couldn't concentrate on anything else.

The hands over my arm shook me back in and I pried my eyes open, trying to focus my sight on a blurry Noah in front of me, "Are you okay?" He asked, the panic evident from his tone alone.

"I think I broke my hand or my finger, I don't know," I mumbled weakly, holding my hand with the other, noticing the bone in my finger pointing somewhere it shouldn't.

Noah looked at it, "Son of a bitch," He hissed under his breath before he immediately got up, I noticed the gun in his hand, I heard the sound as he clicked the safety off and he marched back at a beaten-up Christain.

I tried to focus on what's happening but it felt like I was in a haze, my brain trying to make sense of my surroundings throughout the immense pain I was feeling. I heaved for a breath and tried to get up as Noah and Christian stumbled to the ground again, still fighting for dominance and cursing.

I think I said stop, I think I said something. My hand shook and I blinked, once and twice, focusing my eyesight, and the next thing I heard was a...gunshot being fired.

The sound alone snapped me back in and my wide eyes fell onto Christian as he got up, he stumbled backward, his shocked gaze on Noah. I followed his gaze and all I saw was red, blood, there was blood, so much blood.

I gasped, the air snapped off my lungs and I rushed forward, "Oh my god, no, no," I cried out, landing beside Noah on the ground. He groaned and pressed his eyes shut, his hand going to his wound, "Noah, no, oh my god," I placed my functional hand over his stomach, needing the blood to stop but it didn't.

The shock freezing me and letting go of any physical pain I was feeling. I no longer felt my hand. I felt nothing but fear, so much fear.

I shook my head, bewildered, "No, no, what did you do, what did you do?!" I screamed at Christian, without looking behind me at him.

"I didn't," His words came out breathless like he couldn't believe this either, "He fucking pulled the trigger, I just aimed his hand away!" He defended but I heard nothing, my eyes on Noah as he slowly lost his consciousness, the blood draining the life out of him.

"Noah, please stay with me, please, you gonna be okay," I pleaded, my hand on his cheek, palming it, trying to keep him awake and looking at me, "You gonna be okay," I cried out, choking on a sob, "Oh god, please, please don't die," My words were inaudible due to my tears and I don't think he even heard me, because his eyes stayed closed.

Oh my god, no, no-

What's happening?

In one second only, one second, and everything just went downhill.

The panic had me mumbling, "We need to call an ambulance," I said urgently, he can't lose more blood, "We need to get to him a hospital fast," I mumbled, then looked back at Christian, "Give me my phone," I said, trying to find my lost breath.

Instead of listening to me, he shook his head, his gaze flickered from Noah to me, "No, they're gonna come here," He bent down, his hand over my arm, trying to pull me up, "We need to go."

My eyes widened and I snatched my arm away, "I am not going anywhere!" I snapped, my eyes back on Noah, who wasn't responding anymore and my fear doubled and tripled. No, no, he can't die, he can't. I won't let him. I am getting him out of here, one way or another.

My eyes fell on the knife on the ground beside him, the one that must've fallen from Christian when they were fighting, I reached for it but at the same time, Christian pulled at my arm again, harshly pulling me up with a force I couldn't resist.

"Lilly!" He grated out, impatiently.

"Let me go, I am not gonna leave him!" I snapped, pushing my arm out of his grasp, but he wasn't giving me much of a chance, "Lilly, stop fighting," He groaned as I fought back with everything in me, pushing at his arm with my functional hand, and trying so hard to pull myself backward and away from him.

He was pulling hard and when I was finally able to tear myself away, the force had me crashing back into the floor. I groaned and he marched forward, I saw the needle wrapped in his fist. He was gonna drug me again. No way in hell.

It all happened so fast, I didn't think, my instincts had me taking the knife from beside me, and the moment I turned around, he was reaching for me again. It happened so fast, I didn't understand how the knife went through his skin, penetrating through his flesh and the warm sensation of...blood seeping through my fingers shook me back in, realizing what just happened.

Christian groaned, and his hand fell down beside me, it pressed against the floor as he tried to steady his body. My eyes grew wider, and my mouth opened in shock, what...what did I do...what...No, no, I didn't. I did...I did this.

I pulled the knife back and Christian pressed his eyes shut, gritting his teeth in pain. My wide eyes fell onto my hand, the one holding the knife, there was...blood, his blood, I...I did this. I let go of the knife immediately, feeling like it burned into my skin, it clattered to the ground, the sound had me wincing and the shock froze me down in the spot.

I didn't hear the many footsteps that came rushing into the room. I didn't understand a thing.

I didn't know which hands took hold of my arms and pulled me upward, I didn't know who turned me around, who was calling my name. Those same hands rested over my cheeks, cupping my face and forcing me to look up at him.

Green eyes caressed my face with so much worry, "Lilly, are you okay?" His voice penetrated through my shock, it came out low, as if there was an explosion and the pressure stopped my ears from hearing properly.

I looked down at my hands, my bloodied hands, and I shook my head, "I didn't...I didn't mean to," I mumbled, my eyes going to the side, watching as many men came and took Noah and Christian out of here, "I was...I was just scared, he was gonna take me out of here, he was gonna leave Noah alone, I was...I swear I didn't mean to," I shook my head again, bewildered, "I didn't mean to."

He turned my face away from them, "It's okay, it's okay, I know," He nodded, removing my hair away from my face and tucking it behind my ears, "I know, you didn't do anything wrong-"

"But, Noah, is he-" I mumbled, my shocked eyes on the men that took him out of the room.

"He is gonna be okay," He assured me and I looked back at him, the shock slowly clearing out and getting replaced with pain and terror, "Did I..." Tears gathered in my eyes, and emotions so over-bearing scratched my throat, "Did I...kill him?"

He shook his head, "No, no, you didn't, you barely even stabbed him, you didn't kill him," He said, so sure and I wanted to believe him, I wanted to believe him so bad, "It's gonna be okay, I promise, you're safe now, you're safe, just let me get you out of here, okay?"

I nodded, desperately wanting to get out. I felt his arm around my shoulders, steadying and leading my way out. My gaze focused only on my hands, on the blood tainting them. My brain was still in a haze, unable to comprehend how fast everything happened.

One second Christian was holding a knife to my neck, the other, I was stabbing him with that same knife. Everything in between felt like a blur.

Nikolas paused to a stop right outside the room, and he faced me, in his hand something like a handkerchief, he took one of my hands into his and gently wiped the blood away, knowing how it was slowly traumatizing me, so I let him.

But the second he touched my other hand, I immediately flinched away, "Ahh!" I cried out, the pain rushing back with full force, almost blinding me.

His eyes widened and he looked at me, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, "I don't know, I think I broke something," I mumbled holding into my hand.

He extended his hand forward, taking permission to check it. I carefully placed it in his, and he looked down, inspecting my fingers. His jaw ticked, "Fuck," He hissed under his breath before he looked back at my face, "There is a fracture," He said, tenderness intertwined with the anger in his eyes as he explained, "I am gonna need to pull at it to get the bone back in place, until we get to the hospital, or else it's gonna get worse," His words had me gulping down, "Lilly, it's gonna hurt hell a lot but after it, the pain will decrease."

"Will you let me do it?" He asked, taking my permission and my lower lip trembled, it's already hurting so bad.

I gulped down the fear and found myself nodding, for some fucked up reason, trusting him. He nodded back, his gaze trying to assure me that it will be okay. He took hold of my other hand and placed it over his arm, urging me to hold into him. I wrapped my fingers over his arm, and I pressed my eyes shut, preparing myself for the pain.

I felt his fingers under my chin, gently angling my face up. I pried my eyes open, "It will be okay, just look at me," He urged and I nodded, I felt his hand wrap around my finger, "Are you ready?" He asked and I nodded again, unable to form actual words, "Okay, three...two," He counted down, trying to prepare me, "One," He said it and pulled at my finger. The pain I felt had me screaming so loud, I couldn't hold it back, my fingers tightened over his arm, squeezing at it with everything in me and my body crashed forward as the tears blurred my eyes, the pulsing pain cursed through my entire body.

I could safely say, this was the most painful thing I've ever felt.

"It hurts, it hurts," I hiccupped a sob, and I felt his arms wrap around me, so tight and my forehead pressed over his chest, "I know," He mumbled helplessly, one of his hands cradling the back of my head, and I fisted my hand over his shirt, holding into something as I cried because, at this moment, everything just hurts.

He tightened his hold over me, "I am sorry," He mumbled into my hair, "I am so sorry I couldn't come earlier," He whispered his sorrow ever so brokenly and I buried myself deeper into his embrace, needing the comfort so badly.

I could feel his heart racing against his chest as he said, his voice tight and promising, "I will never let anyone hurt you again, I promise," I edged backward and looked at him, unable to understand why I was letting him comfort me, was it because I felt so vulnerable that I just needed anyone, or what else is it?

I sniffled, my body shaking and he cupped my face again, his thumb wiping my tears away. Lines etched between his eyebrows and he said, "Let's go to the hospital, check your hand, and then we can go to your uncle Roman's place, okay?"

He must've felt how shaken up I still am, because he added, "Don't be scared, Lilly, I won't let anyone hurt you."

"Why?" I asked, because I had to be blind not to see how much he seemed to genuinely care for me.

He offered a small little smile, "You may not understand it and I know, it doesn't make any sense to you, but you're my little girl, you've always been," He said, "And if I am here today, standing and alive, it's all because of you."

I stared back at him, trying and wanting to understand, "But now, the important thing is to make sure you're okay and get you home safely," He urged, changing the subject and leading my way toward his car, "Come on."

He opened the door for me and I got inside. He joined me after and took a small cloth from the glove box. He wrapped over my hand, pulling my fingers together, keeping my hand stable till we reached the hospital, and true to his words, the pain had decreased.

*************

We went to the hospital, the doctor checked my hand and said there is no need for surgery, he added that what Nikolas did was helpful because if we waited any longer, I might've required surgery then. He placed a cast to hold my fingers straight and protect them till the fracture heals. He gave me some pain meds and asked us to drop by for a check-up in a couple of days.

After that, Nikolas drove me toward uncle Roman's place. The ride there was mostly silent, I was still trying to recover from my shock and I didn't even know what or how to even talk with him. His presence isn't something I am used or accustomed to.

I wish dad was here. I need his hug and comfort more than anything, but a small part of me is still scared, terrified even; would he be angry at me, at what I did, at how I placed myself in this situation again...would he think I went for Christian myself?

The car came to a stop shaking me out of my many thoughts. Confused, I looked ahead of me at the big estate we just reached. I went down, my eyes wandering around before they fell on him, "This isn't uncle Roman's house," I mumbled.

He nodded, "It is," he said and realization dawned on me when I saw the many guards gathered around the massive estate. There is still a lot for me to learn and get used to, I guess.

We headed toward the main door, my gaze astonished as it took everything in. My eyes found uncle Roman immediately the moment I stepped in. He wrapped his arms around me, and I hugged him back. When he pulled away, his eyes traveled to my casted hand and his jaw tightened, "Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded, "I am fine," I mumbled, "How is..." I looked back at Nikolas, "How is Noah?"

"I just called them, he will be fine, don't worry," Uncle Roman answered and I tried to believe in his words.

My gaze went to his wife, and she offered me a sweet smile. She rested her hand over my arm, "Come with me, I can give you something to change into," She said, addressing the blood over my clothes and I followed her up the stairs, not having it in me to object on anything. I just did what they said.

We walked into one of the rooms and she rampaged through the closet, she pulled a pajama and placed it over the bed. Her gaze went to my casted hand and she offered, "If you want, I can help you take a shower."

My eyes shot to her, totally taken aback by her nice act, it's not like I was ever close to her or anything. I don't even remember us having one decent conversation. I didn't like her that much, but at this moment, she looked like she cared, "Why are you being nice to me?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

She smiled and sat down beside me on the bed's edge, "There was a time where your mother kind of helped me in...something," She said, her words vague for me to understand, "I kind of owe it to her to be by her daughter's side when she isn't," She clarified and gave me a shrug, "And well, whether you like or not, we are family."

I nodded, my gaze drifting down to my lap. We are family, the same family Christian hates with everything in him.

Her hand rested over mine, shaking me back in, her tone more serious as she asked, "Did Christian do anything?" She asked, her jaw tightening, "Did he hurt you?"

I instantly understood what she meant by hurt and I shook my head, "No, no, he didn't."

A bit of relief rushed over her eyes and she nodded, "Anyways, do you want me to help you with that?" She asked, pointing at my hand.

I shook my head, "No, no need, I can do it myself, thank you."

She gave my hand a gentle squeeze before she got up and left me to wash off today's events and change.

Right when I was about to take off my clothes, the thought came rushing back and I placed my hand in my pocket, checking. I let out a relieved sigh when I pulled the ribbon out, knowing I didn't lose it.

I tightened my hold over it, needing the strength more than ever.

*************

Nikolas's POV

I knocked lightly over the door, and when I heard her low come in, I twisted the knob and walked in, needing to see her, check on her, and make sure she is actually okay. If possible, I didn't want her out of my sight, not after what happened.

Seeing her like that, crying out and in pain, god, it destroyed me. It demolished me to see her tears, to know she is hurt. I felt so helpless after so long, because I'd do anything to take away her pain, I just don't know how.

I don't know if she'd let me.

My eyes fell on her, she was sitting over the bed. I noticed that she had changed into something comfortable, and her hair still wet from her shower. My chest tightened, she looked so small and innocent, sitting there, hurt and in pain. I bit at the inside of my cheek, stopping myself from cursing that fucker out loud.

Her questioning gaze met mine and I pulled the phone out of my pocket and extended it to her, "I think this is yours," I said and she took it from me, "Thank you."

She was acting differently to my presence. She didn't push me away, she didn't scream at me yet, instead, her eyes held a look that screamed stay.

I sat down by her side, sensing her discomfort, "I know it feels foreign for you to be here," I said, wishing I could help her feel at home, this was her home once, "But I will call your father right now and in no time, he'll be here-"

Her terrified eyes shot to me, "But...he was angry at me, what if this...what I did made him angrier," She whispered weakly and I immediately shook my head, "No, Lilly, he is gonna go crazy knowing what happened to you, he is already beyond worried about you," I assured her, preparing myself for Alex's anger, since I didn't inform him about this right away.

Tears gathered in her eyes, "I swear I didn't do it on purpose this time," She mumbled, defending herself, expecting our blame again, "I didn't, I swear, but somehow I keep hurting those around me, I am not doing it on purpose, I am not," Tears fell down her cheeks and my heart broke once again, god I'd rather have her screaming at me than this, "Noah is hurt because of me, how...how do I keep doing this, how do I make it stop-"

I inched closer, unable to handle those tears, "Lilly, you didn't do anything wrong, he is not hurt because of you, no one is blaming you," I placed my hand over her face, turning it around to me, "You didn't do anything wrong," I assured her again, my thumb brushing her cheek, wiping those tears away, "It's that fucker, Chris, I am gon-" I gritted my teeth, stopping myself from saying more, I didn't want to scare her, "It doesn't matter, the important thing is that you're safe now, that's all we care about."

She kept silent, just staring back at me, with the helpless tears flowing down her cheek, "Please don't cry," I mumbled, "These tears remind me of how badly I've failed you."

I failed her and Max. They both got hurt by mistakes done by me.

My words had her sucking down into a deep breath and I retreated my hand back. She wasn't pushing me away but what if she still hated my presence, "How about you rest a bit, the doctor said the meds will help you relax, so just take a nap and rest, okay?"

She wiped at her cheeks and nodded, "Okay."

I was about to get up but her words stopped me, "Can you...can you stay till I fall asleep?"

Her request had my heart stumbling and I stared back at her, shocked and I nodded, "Yeah, yeah sure."

She looked scared and was it...was it possible that she felt safe with me?

Oh, this little girl has me wrapped in her little hands.

"Come here," I mumbled and she got closer without any objections. Like when she was just a little baby, she rested her head over my lap and she closed her eyes, the meds draining her energy away.

I ran my hand through her hair, hoping to soothe her and help her relax more.

Her eyelids glided open, "Why am I not pushing you away?" She whispered, just as confused as me.

"I don't know," I mumbled, staring down at her, in disbelief that she was this close to me after all this time, "But maybe the part of you that cared for me once still remembers who I am."

She sniffled, "I don't know how or what to feel anymore," Her voice was so weak, "I get that," I answered, "But be sure of one thing, you are not alone," I tucked her hair behind her ear and kept running my hand through it, "And if you let me, I can help you," I mumbled, "Just like you helped me once."

"Okay," She whispered, her eyes closing, and slowly drifting to sleep.

I just stared at her, as her breathing evened out, finally resting and I let out the tired breath I was holding in. Her shaken-up weak state feeding the monster who needed to go and ruin Chris in the worst way possible for what he did.

It's time to get back to work.

I carefully let her head rest over the pillow and I pulled the blanket, covering her little body up. I leaned down and pressed a tender kiss over her forehead, "You have no idea how much I've missed you."

I gave her one last look, making sure she is okay and breathing before I left the room. Gone all the rollercoaster of emotions she stirred in me and all were replaced by anger, and the need to make someone pay for this. I dialed Alex and placed the phone to my ear, waiting for his answer.

"What happened?" He immediately asked, already sensing it considering the time there must be really early in the morning.

"Get on the next plane to here," I said, not needing to say more, "It's Lilly."

************************************

Did you ever break a hand or a leg or anything?
I broke my pinkie not so long ago, and I can assure you, when the doctor pulled at it, I almost passed out from the pain. Seriously, even tho it's this small little finger, yet it was the most painful thing ever! I hope you never have to feel it!

Anyways, everyone voted for this book, so I updated it first. I hope you liked the chapter.

Now that christian is caught, do you think it's over? If you think so, then you really don't know me one bit xD

Btw, I asked everyone to stop me from giving chase and Lilly a baby because I have a baby fever and no one stopped me, you all encouraged me! *glares*

Don't blame when I turn the original plot around and do something crazy then! xD

Love ya all!