Axel watched the helicopter rise, his eyes tracking every inch as the basket stretcher carrying Evelyn disappeared inside.
The blades roared to life, kicking up shards of wind. Her hair fluttered for a moment, a glimpse before the doors shut.
He whispered a prayer, ’God... please take care of her for me.’
His hands stayed in the air even after the helicopter slowly vanished from his sight.
The moment it cleared the treetops, he jolted back to life.
Turning on his heel, he sprinted up the ravine path, his shoes slipping but never slowing.
Liam followed close behind, panting, but wisely silent.
Axel couldn’t ride with her. The medics said there was no room. They needed speed, less weight, fewer bodies. So he ran.
He ran as if his pulse were a detonator.
By the time he reached the top, his lungs burned.
But his mind... his mind was worse. It screamed. It imagined everything he didn’t want to see; Her bleeding. Her cry. Her stillness.
He threw all those terrible things from his mind. He had no room to fall apart. Not now.
Axel hurriedly entered the car after Liam opened it for him.
Then, he ordered Liam to drive faster, and the vehicle sped away from the scene toward the hospital.
He forced himself to breathe and dialed the number he needed most.
The line connected on the first ring.
"Axel." David Hamm’s voice came through immediately, sharp and focused. The CEO of Hope Medical Center rarely sounded nervous. But right now, Axel could hear it.
"Dave," Axel said. His voice cracked. "They just departed from the location. Please... please help her." His chest tightened so much he could hardly speak. "Her and my unborn child. Please—"
He choked. The words hit a wall in his throat. Fear wrapped around his voice.
David didn’t hesitate. "I will. The best surgeon is on standby. Her obstetrician is already here. Axel, listen to me. We will do everything we can. Do you hear me?"
Axel swallowed hard. "Thank you, Dave—"
He ended the call before his voice broke completely.
The silence pressed on him. He leaned against his seat, sucking air into his lungs, but it wasn’t enough.
Nothing was enough.
His mind twisted, dragging him into the darkest corners. Every worst-case scenario flashed behind his eyes.
"No," he muttered under his breath. "No. She’ll be fine. She has to be fine."
His phone buzzed again.
The name flashed on the screen, Collins.
He answered so fast he nearly crushed the phone. "Did you find them?"
"Yes," Collins replied, voice heavy. "Anthony is leading the pursuit. They’re heading... toward the border of Nevalis."
Axel’s brows snapped together. Nevalis. The city where the Wright Group’s headquarters is. Where Ethan ruled like a quiet storm.
Perfect.
"Notify Ethan," Axel ordered. "I want them cornered. Do not kill them! I want the mastermind. Bring them all to me."
"Understood."
"Collins."
"Yes, sir?"
Axel’s eyes darkened. "If they fight... as Ethan to crippled them."
A beat of silence. Before Collins chuckled faintly, "With pleasure."
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover (Evelyn and Axel)