Chapter 32

Selena had always prided herself on keeping her composure, even in the most uncomfortable situations. But right now? Her heart was racing in her chest, her palms slick with sweat, and a knot of fear was slowly twisting in her stomach.

The blindfold was tight, making everything feel even darker than it should. She couldn't see a damn thing, and it made her feel vulnerable—something she hadn't been in a long time. She wasn't used to being out of control, to being in a situation where she couldn't even defend herself.

Her wrists were bound to the arms of the chair, and every tug at the ropes just reminded her of how little she could do right now. Her mouth was dry, and she tried to swallow, but it was hard to concentrate on anything other than the ringing in her ears, the cold sweat creeping down her back.

"Keep her quiet," a voice had growled earlier, probably one of the men Nia had brought with her. Selena had only caught fragments of their conversation before they forced her into the warehouse. She had no idea what their plan was or how far they were willing to go to make it happen, but she knew one thing for sure: they weren't playing.

She was supposed to be on her way to handle things with Von. Wasn't supposed to be stuck here, unable to move, unsure of what was coming next.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of footsteps. They were heavy, deliberate, and it sent a jolt of panic through her system. Nia's laugh, high and almost too sweet, echoed in the empty space, but it didn't ease the dread sitting like a weight in her chest.

"So, what's the plan now?" Nia's voice was too calm, too casual for someone who had just dragged Selena into a situation like this.

Selena gritted her teeth, fighting the urge to speak. They could do whatever they wanted, but they weren't going to break her.

"Von ain't gonna let this slide," Selena muttered, her voice low and sharp through the gag.

Nia was quiet for a moment, probably considering how to respond to that. When she spoke again, there was no hesitation.

"Von doesn't know everything. Not yet." Her voice dropped a little lower. "But he will."

The chill that ran down Selena's spine had nothing to do with the cold of the warehouse. Something about the way Nia said that—it wasn't just about getting back at Von. It was deeper. Personal.

But then she heard it. The soft sound of the door creaking open. The noise was barely perceptible, but it made her body tense. She knew that sound. It was Von. It had to be.

Her heart slammed against her ribcage, and the small voice in her head screamed for her to stay calm, to trust that everything would be okay. She couldn't see him yet, couldn't make out his figure in the dimly lit room, but she could feel him—his presence, his strength—even from a distance.

And then, in the next moment, she heard him. His voice, deep and dangerous, cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Let her go."

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, and the ropes binding her wrists seemed to loosen with the sound of his words. The moment she'd been waiting for—Von. He was here.

The rush of relief that flooded through her almost brought tears to her eyes, but she couldn't let herself give in to the weakness. Not yet.

Before anyone could make a move, Selena tugged at the ropes again, pulling them tighter around her wrists. She wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of hearing her cry out. She wouldn't let them see her break.

And then, the chaos started.

Nia's voice, shrill and panicked, erupted in the silence, followed by the unmistakable sound of Von's footsteps moving closer.

"Von, wait!" Nia screamed.

But Selena didn't care. Not when she knew Von was coming for her, was close enough to fix this.

Everything was about to change.

Selena POV

Her mind raced, the tension in her body wound tight as she sat there in the dark, trying to fight the urge to give in to the overwhelming mix of fear and anticipation coursing through her veins.

Nia's voice was sharp, but all Selena could focus on now was the sound of Von's footsteps getting closer. His presence alone had a weight to it, something commanding, something dangerous. It wasn't just the force of his steps or the way the air shifted when he entered the room—it was his sheer force of will. She could feel the power in every breath he took, the determination that followed him wherever he went.

"Von, you don't have to do this—" Nia started, but her words were cut short by Von's low, menacing tone.

"Shut the fuck up, Nia," he growled. "This isn't your play anymore."

Selena's heart pounded, and despite the blindfold and the ropes binding her, she felt a flicker of hope. Von was here. He was really here, and nothing else mattered. Whatever these people thought they were going to do to her, whatever plans they had—he wasn't about to let them get away with it.

The sound of Nia's frantic footsteps grew distant as she scrambled to make some move, but Von didn't even flinch. She could hear the panic in her voice, her desperation only fueling Von's calmness.

"You think you can take something from me?" Von's voice echoed in the silence, deadly. "You really think you can play with her and not expect me to handle it?"

Selena had never been more sure of anything in her life. Von wasn't here to talk. He wasn't here to negotiate. He was here to end this.

Everything that had led up to this moment, everything she'd endured, every tear she hadn't shed—it all boiled down to this. Von was here, and now it was their turn to take control.

The rope around her wrists loosened just enough for her to feel her blood circulating again, and she flexed her hands, the numbness fading. Von was untying her, carefully, but quickly. His hands were steady, deliberate. He wasn't just saving her. He was reminding Nia and anyone else that crossed him exactly why they should never test him.

"Von..." Selena's voice barely broke through the weight of the moment, but he heard her. He always did. His name on her lips had a different weight now—less fear, more trust.

"Don't speak yet," Von murmured, his tone softening just enough for her to hear the concern buried in it. "I'm not letting anyone hurt you again."

She could feel his warmth as he moved behind her, hands working on the ropes. And then, in a flash, they were gone. She reached up, feeling the blindfold slide off, and the harsh fluorescent lights of the warehouse blinded her for a moment.

When her eyes adjusted, she saw him.

He stood there, tall and unwavering, like some kind of force of nature. His jaw was clenched, his eyes narrowed with cold rage, but when he looked at her, there was something more. Something softer. Something that spoke of care, of protection. Of promises.

"Von..." she whispered again, her voice raw but full of gratitude. The words felt so inadequate.

He crouched down in front of her, his fingers brushing the side of her face gently, as if checking for any sign of harm. His touch was electric, the warmth of his skin against hers a reminder that he would always be there when she needed him the most. He wasn't just her protector. He was everything.

"They won't hurt you again," he promised, his voice steady and filled with conviction.

But Selena could feel the storm brewing inside him, the fire he was trying to suppress. Whatever was about to happen next—Von was going to make sure it was over.

"You ready?" he asked, his voice low but calm, as if he was preparing to carry out some quiet, unspoken plan.

She nodded, her chest tight but her resolve firm. There was no turning back. She was with him, no matter what came next.

Von stood up, offering his hand to help her to her feet. She took it, feeling the power in his grip. She had trusted him from the start, and she knew, without a doubt, that he would do whatever it took to protect her. She wasn't alone anymore.

Not while he was here.

The tension in the air thickened, and Selena could feel everything shifting—like the calm before the storm. She didn't know what Von had in mind, but one thing was certain: this wasn't over. And whatever came next? She was ready.