THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 93

Chapter 93: A New Threat
Ava led the way, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of trouble. The mission was supposed to be straightforward—retrieve the data chip and get out. But in their line of work, nothing ever went according to plan.

As they reached the intersection, a sudden flash of light blinded them. Ava instinctively raised her arm, shielding her eyes. The sound of boots hitting the pavement filled the air, followed by the menacing click of weapons being cocked.

“Ambush!” Liam shouted, diving for cover behind a parked car. The team scattered, each member seeking refuge as bullets ricocheted off the metal and concrete around them.

Ava’s heart raced as she pulled her gun from its holster. She peeked over the car’s hood, spotting their attackers—uniformed men, their faces obscured by masks. They moved with precision, their formation tight and disciplined. This wasn’t a random gang; this was something far more dangerous.

“Who are they?” whispered Emma, crouched beside Ava.

“Not sure,” Ava replied, firing a shot. “But they’re organized. Too organized.”

A cry of pain broke through the chaos. Ava turned to see Max clutching his leg, blood seeping through his fingers. “Max!” she called out, but the gunfire intensified, pinning her down.

“We need to get out of here,” Liam said, his voice tense. “Now.”

Ava nodded, formulating a plan even as the bullets whizzed past. “On my signal, we make a break for the alley. Emma, help Max. Liam, cover us.”

Liam gave a curt nod, his grip on his weapon tightening. Ava took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. “Now!” she shouted.

They moved as one, darting towards the alley. Emma supported Max, his weight slowing them down. Liam fired in quick succession, keeping the attackers at bay. They reached the narrow passage, the walls offering temporary refuge from the relentless assault.

Panting, Ava assessed their situation. “We can’t stay here. They’ll corner us.”

Emma looked at Max’s wound, her face pale. “He’s losing a lot of blood. We need to get him to a safe place.”

Ava scanned the alley, her mind racing. “There’s a safe house a few blocks from here. We’ll head there.”

They moved swiftly but cautiously, the tension palpable. Every shadow seemed to conceal an enemy, every sound a potential threat. The city that had once felt familiar now felt like a labyrinth of dangers.

As they approached the safe house, a figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking their path. Ava froze, her eyes widening in recognition. “No, it can’t be.”

The man removed his mask, revealing a face from Ava’s past. “Hello, Ava,” he said, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

“Kieran,” Ava breathed, her shock quickly replaced by anger. “I thought you were dead.”

“Clearly, I’m not,” Kieran replied, his eyes gleaming with malice. “And I’ve come to finish what I started.”

The team raised their weapons, but Kieran laughed. “Drop your guns, or your friend dies.” He gestured behind him, where more of his men emerged, holding a struggling figure—Sarah, one of Ava’s closest allies.

“Sarah!” Ava’s voice trembled with both fury and fear.

“Your choice, Ava,” Kieran said. “Drop your weapons, or she dies.”

Ava’s mind raced. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and one of their own was critically injured. She lowered her gun, her team following suit. “Let her go, Kieran. This is between you and me.”

Kieran’s smile widened. “Oh, it’s much more than that, Ava. You’ve meddled in affairs you don’t understand. And now, you’ll pay the price.”

He snapped his fingers, and his men moved in, binding the team’s hands. Ava struggled, but a blow to the back of her head sent her to her knees. Darkness threatened to overtake her, but she fought to stay conscious, her thoughts consumed with one goal—survival.

They were dragged to a waiting van, the city lights fading as they were taken to an unknown location. The journey was a blur of pain and fear. When they finally arrived, Ava was thrown into a dimly lit room, her team beside her.

Kieran stood at the doorway, his presence casting a long shadow. “Welcome to your new reality, Ava. You’re not the hunter anymore. You’re the prey.”

With that, he left, the door slamming shut behind him. Ava’s mind raced, her heart pounding. They needed to escape, to warn others of this new threat. But first, she needed to understand Kieran’s game. What did he want? And how far was he willing to go?

Max groaned, drawing her attention. His face was pale, his breathing labored. “We need to stop the bleeding,” Emma said, her voice edged with panic.

Ava tore a strip from her shirt, pressing it to Max’s wound. “Stay with us, Max. We’ll get through this.”

Liam’s eyes met hers, filled with determination. “We need a plan, Ava. We can’t let him win.”

Ava nodded, her mind already working. “We’ll find a way out. And when we do, we’ll take the fight to him.”

Hours passed in tense silence. Every creak and groan of the building set their nerves on edge. Ava paced the room, her mind replaying every detail of their capture, searching for any clue that might lead to their escape.

A sudden commotion outside the door brought them to attention. The door swung open, and a man was thrown inside. He looked up, his face battered but defiant. Ava’s heart skipped a beat. “No, it can’t be.”

“Hello, sister,” he said, his voice weak but unmistakable. It was Ethan, her brother, long thought dead.

Ava rushed to his side, tears streaming down her face. “Ethan, what happened to you?”

“Captured,” he replied, wincing in pain. “But I’ve been working from the inside. Kieran’s planning something big. We have to stop him.”

Liam helped Ethan to a sitting position. “What’s his endgame?”

Ethan’s eyes darkened. “He’s not just after us. He wants to control the entire city. He’s been manipulating events from the shadows, setting the stage for a takeover.”

Ava’s mind reeled. The stakes were higher than she’d imagined. “We need to warn the others. But first, we need to get out of here.”

Ethan nodded. “I’ve got a plan. But it’s risky.”

“Risky is our specialty,” Ava said, a determined smile forming on her lips.

With Ethan’s inside knowledge and the team’s resolve, they began to formulate their escape. They waited for the cover of darkness, every minute ticking by with excruciating slowness.

When the time came, they moved with precision. Ethan guided them through the labyrinthine corridors, avoiding guards and security cameras. They reached a service exit, their path to freedom.

But as they stepped outside, a familiar figure blocked their way. Kieran stood there, flanked by his men. “Did you really think it would be that easy?”

Ava’s heart sank, but she refused to show fear. “This ends now, Kieran. One way or another.”

Kieran’s smile was cold. “Oh, it’s far from over. This is just the beginning.”

In a blur of motion, his men attacked. Ava fought with everything she had, her team beside her. The night was filled with the sounds of battle—grunts, gunfire, the clash of metal.

Just when it seemed they might gain the upper hand, Kieran grabbed Ava, his grip like iron. “You’re coming with me,” he hissed, dragging her towards a waiting vehicle.

“Ava!” Liam shouted, but he was overwhelmed by attackers.

Ava struggled, but Kieran’s hold was unyielding. He shoved her into the vehicle, the door slamming shut behind her. She pounded on the windows, but it was no use. She was trapped.

As the vehicle sped away, Ava’s mind raced. She couldn’t let Kieran win. She had to find a way to escape, to warn her team, to stop whatever he had planned.