The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 529

Ahead of her, over a dozen armed mercenaries closed in, their muzzles glinting menacingly under the moonlight.

"Dr. Sloan, stop fighting it," the leader sneered mockingly. "Come with us, and we might let you keep your miserable life."

Leilani's lips curved into a bloodstained, defiant smirk. "Keep my life? Are you sure you're the ones making that call?"

The man's eyes hardened with lethal intent. He raised a hand, signaling his men. "Take her alive!"

The moment the words left his mouth, an unexpected sound shattered the tension.

Instead of the deafening crack of gunfire, the violent, unmistakable roar of an engine tore through the night sky. The thunderous revving echoed from the distance, followed immediately by the agonizing shriek of burning tires.

VROOM!

A sleek black Maybach tore through the barricade like an enraged beast. Tires smoked and screeched against the asphalt as the blinding high beams flooded the alley, forcing the mercenaries to shield their eyes!

Panic instantly rippled through the ranks as they wildly redirected their weapons.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three flawless shots fired from the descending car window, instantly dropping the three men at the front of the pack!

The car door violently swung open, and a tall, imposing figure stepped out. A black trench coat billowed dramatically in the icy wind.

"Leilani!"

That familiar, commanding voice sliced through the darkness like a blade through silk. Leilani's head snapped up. Callahan?

Seeing the rapidly arriving convoy, the leader realized his window had closed. Scowling fiercely, he quickly ordered his men to fall back.

Her high heels were lost long ago. She stood barefoot on the freezing, abrasive concrete, her soles littered with micro-lacerations from glass and gravel.

Yet, she seemed oblivious to the pain. She just stood there, white-knuckling the stolen dagger with a death grip, her knuckles turning white. She was thoroughly exhausted.

Callahan's gaze cataloged every single injury. With every fresh cut he discovered, his eyes darkened another shade toward pure, unadulterated violence. He reached out, his trembling fingers hovering over a thin, bleeding gash near her collarbone.

"Did... did they do all this to you?" His voice was raspy, vibrating with the suppressed fury of a cornered beast.

Leilani shook her head. Now that her nerves finally relaxed, her knees buckled, and she nearly collapsed to the ground. Though incredibly weak, her voice remained stubborn and calm. "These are just some scratches from when I was running away. They aren't deep."

She lied, terrified of worrying Callahan further.

But when his eyes dropped to the horrific, gaping bullet wound at her waist, he knew she was lying to protect him.