The captive's kiss

e adrenaline pumping in her system as she stared at the man who had once been the only authority in her life. With e

ged to land a few of his own. The room was a blur of action-Marco had leaped onto one of Lucas' goo

red, dancing around her strikes with ease. "You think yo

I know exactly who you are-a coward hiding behind y

hed with anger. "

h to Lucas' gut, forcing him to stumble back. "Ava, behind me

houted, pushing past him. "I'm not going to s

he took in the sight of the two of them. "What a lame little t

e, this time connecting with a solid hit against his side as Ethan tackled h

stling Lucas's arms behind his b

ed, suddenly realizing their es

rushed to barricade the door, moving with purpose as he tugg

ed against the resistant Lucas. "What's wrong, Lucas?" Ava

gasped, stumbling back as he swung wildly, catching her off guard. The b

nd her, but Lucas was fast, using

d her attention to the fight. She could see it in Ethan's eyes-he had this look of determination, fierce

is is your last chance to walk away, Ava. You think you can win?

d of you," she said, hefting the length o

consequences," he grow

off. Heavy punching of fists against skin, grunts of force, and bodies hitti

co-who by this time was holding off the other henchman-an

determination carved upon his fa

his was a losing battle. Lucas wasn't going to let go, and h

ard, and the bottom dropped out of Ava's wor

erce determination. "Ava, stay focused!" he exclaimed. His

e at them, eyes crazed with his ange

ever before. Ava stepped forward, placing herself in front of Ethan, and

oss the shoulder. Stunned, Lucas faltered, giving Ethan the much-needed open

arco sprang to assist Ava as she and Ethan forced Lucas into

maining henchman stormed in, drawing a gun. "What the

ing Ava and Ethan out of the w

r. Ava's heart was racing as she hit the ground, fear clutch

ed, her voice low

e; his face was a mask of determinatio

n Ethan. A wave of desperation washed over Ava as she

and ran for it, her mind racing. If she could just get i

n to create a barrier that would have stopped him in his tracks. "Ethan,

elf at the henchman. The two went down in a flurry of fi

ched, the terror clawing at her insides.

, sending him crashing into the table Ava had just moved. The sound

" Ava cried out,

ogether to overpower the henchman. Ava could feel her veins cours

ierce determination that whipped inside Ava like a fire. This was no

lly began to sink in. Lucas fell back in his chair, a twisted sense of satisfa

ocked, the tone of his voice cold as ice. "T

"I won't let you control me anymore!" she y

rithing harmlessly on the ground. They turned their attention o

e playing on his lips. "You think you

knew they had to act swiftly. "Ethan, we need to distra

an replied, low

was pointing the gun straight at Ava. "I'll end

ght. But instead of fear, she was overwhelmed with determination.

lunged forward, knocking Lucas's arm to the side. The

elt her adrenaline surge as she and Ethan charged to

inal struggle, leaving him open and unarmed. Ava took a