Chapter 28: Show Down.

While Talon and Selene talked, Ava and Callie waited outside, their nerves taut, ready for whatever trouble might emerge. It wasn’t long before trouble found them. A man sauntered into the room, his gaze landing on Callie with a sleazy grin.

“She looks lovely, nice and fresh,” he said, reaching out a hand toward Callie.

Ava moved swiftly, pushing Callie behind her, her eyes narrowing as she faced him. “No touching until a deal’s done,” she said coldly.

The man sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Not fair. We always get to try the goods first.” His intent was clear, and it made Ava’s skin crawl.

Another man appeared behind him, his predatory gaze sweeping over Callie and then Ava, a twisted smile creeping across his face. “Oh, fresh meat,” he said, leering at them both.

Sensing the situation was about to turn, Ava tightened her grip on the knife she’d kept hidden in her sleeve, her body tensed to strike.

Meanwhile, in the other room, Talon gripped his mother’s hands tightly. “We need to get you out of here, now,” he insisted, but Selene pulled her hands free, a tremor running through her as she shook her head.

“I can’t go. I owe too much,” she whispered, her voice filled with the weight of years of captivity.

“To who?” Talon pressed.

“Holts,” she replied, her gaze distant, filled with old pain. “He promised… if I worked hard enough, he’d set me free and bring my boy back to me.”

Talon’s heart broke for her. “He’s dead, Selene. You don’t owe anything to him.”

But she shook her head in disbelief, her hands covering her face as she fought to comprehend. “No, no… They would’ve told me if he were dead. My boy would have come back to me.”

Realizing she didn’t fully believe him, Talon began to gently explain how Holts had died and how he’d escaped the syndicate. But suddenly, banging and shouts erupted from the other side of the door. Talon’s instincts kicked in, his protective nature overriding everything else.

“Stay here,” he ordered, his voice firm. He moved toward the door, ready to fight his way back to Ava and Callie.

As Talon came out into the hallway, he saw Callie standing frozen, her face pale, her breaths coming in short gasps. He raced past her, eyes widening as he took in the chaos. Three men already lay sprawled on the floor, blood staining the walls. And there, in the narrow corridor, Ava fought furiously, struggling against a massive hulk of a man who held her in a brutal, crushing grip.

“Ava!” Talon shouted, his pulse racing.

“Get them out of here now!” Ava called back, her voice strained, nearly a growl as she fought against the man’s hold.

Talon, turned back to Callie and Selene. “We’re getting out of here, now!” he said urgently, grabbing Selene’s hand and signaling Callie to follow.

The fight was vicious, brutal, and Ava was giving it her all. She twisted and slammed her fists into his ribs, her knife slicing through the air, striking anywhere she could find an opening. But Big Bob seemed to absorb each blow like it was nothing, his thick muscles flexing as he tightened his grip around her torso, squeezing her with inhuman strength.

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“Stupid little bitch,” he snarled, slamming her against the wall. “Think you can come into my place and start trouble?”

The impact rattled through her bones, but Ava bit back a scream, adrenaline surging through her. She swung again, her knife slicing across his arm, drawing blood. But Big Bob only grinned, his gaze darkening as he reached out, wrapping his thick hands around her throat, lifting her off her feet with brutal ease.

Ava’s vision began to blur, her breath caught in her throat as his grip tightened. She struggled, dropping her knife, kicking against him, but his hold was iron, his eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure.

Desperation clawed at her, and with a last surge of strength, she wrapped her legs around his thick waist, locking herself in place. Her eyes locked onto his, and she summoned every ounce of fury, slamming her forehead into his face.

Crack. Blood spattered from his nose, but his grip only loosened slightly.

“Fucking die, already!” she snarled, pulling back and smashing her head into his face again, her skull crashing into his nose with a sickening crunch. Another headbutt, and more blood spilled, blinding him as she struck again and again, until finally, his grip slackened, his balance wavering.

Ava gasped, dropping to the floor, her hand darting out to grab a shard of broken glass. Without a moment’s hesitation, she drove it into his neck, the sharp edge slicing deep as she twisted, her voice a fierce, guttural growl. “Will you just fucking die!”

Big Bob howled, blood pouring from his neck, but the monstrous man wouldn’t go down. With a roar, he staggered back, clutching his bleeding neck, his rage only igniting further.

Ava struggled to her feet, still gasping for breath, her vision hazy. She braced herself as he charged again, his massive fists swinging wildly. She dodged, slashing at him with the glass, cutting into his side, his arm—anywhere she could reach, but he barreled forward, trying to catch her in his arms again.

The corridor reeked of blood and desperation. Big Bob’s snarling face loomed closer, a wall of brute strength and fury. Ava could feel every ounce of his malice bearing down on her, but she refused to break.

Her vision swam, her breath shallow as pain lanced through her side. But Ava didn’t have time to think about the burning sensation spreading there—survival demanded all her focus. With her knife lost and her energy waning, she had only one chance left.

Big Bob roared, his massive frame barreling toward her like a runaway freight train. Ava stood her ground, centering herself amidst the chaos. She closed her eyes for the briefest moment, her pulse steadying. *This is it,* she thought. *If I miss this, I’m dead.*

As he lunged, she sidestepped with precision, grabbing his arm and twisting with all her strength. Using his momentum, she spun him, driving them both backward. The impact slammed them into the window behind her. The glass gave way with an ear-splitting shatter, shards exploding outward in a deadly spray.

Time seemed to slow as they tipped over the edge. Gravity took hold, pulling them into the void. Ava’s breath hitched, the wind whipping past her as they plummeted. Pain ignited in her side—a sharp, fiery stab that threatened to consume her. But she didn’t let it. She twisted her body mid-air, instinctively bracing for impact.

They hit the ground with a bone-jarring crash. Big Bob’s massive frame absorbed the brunt of the fall, his body crumpling beneath her with a sickening crack. Ava gasped, the force knocking the air from her lungs. She lay sprawled across him, her mind a chaotic whirl of pain and adrenaline.

The sharp sting in her side grew fiercer, spreading like wildfire. Her hand pressed against the wound, her fingers brushing something wet and sticky. She hissed in pain, refusing to let the darkness creeping into her vision take hold.

Above her, the shattered window framed the sky, jagged edges glittering like cruel teeth. The scene felt surreal, distant, as though she were watching it through someone else’s eyes. But the weight of her body, the searing agony in her side, and the taste of blood in her mouth anchored her in harsh reality.

Big Bob didn’t move. His chest no longer rose or fell, his lifeless eyes staring into nothing.

Ava rolled off him with a groan, dragging herself to her elbows. The world tilted, but she forced herself upright, every breath feeling like fire. Her steps were unsteady, but she kept moving, her hand never leaving her side.

*Not yet,* she told herself, gritting her teeth. *Just a little farther.*

The distant sound of boots pounding against the ground reached her ears, growing louder. Her blurred vision sharpened just enough to see Talon racing toward her, his face a mix of worry and exasperation.

“What the hell, Blondie?” he called, skidding to a halt beside her. “Couldn’t you find the door?” His attempt at levity barely masked the concern in his eyes as they darted to the blood staining her side.

Ava’s voice was shaky but defiant as she leaned on him for support. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”