Chapter 46: Mission Impossible

Aria’s POV

The world spun as Ethan dragged me back inside the soundstage. My scalp burned where he’d gripped my hair.

The jagged metal shard I’d used as a weapon was gone , knocked away from my hand when I hit the ground.

The siren outside faded and the hope of being rescued went with it.

He shoved me hard into the same metal chair I’d escaped from minutes earlier. My wrists were zip-tied again before I could fight back, tighter this time to ensure I couldn’t escape.

“You stupid little bitch,” Ethan snarled as slapped me hard across the face.

The sting exploded across my cheek,my head snapping to the side.

“You think you can run from me?” He grabbed my chin firmly that it hurt. “I own this city and most especially you. Lucian thinks he can play hero but I’ll make him watch while I break you both piece by piece.”

I spat blood at his feet. “You’re pathetic, Ethan. You have lost like you always do.”

He slapped me again, harder that my vision blurred for a second.

“Keep talking,” he hissed. “Every word makes me want to hurt you more.”

Behind him, two guards stood by the door, watching. One of them muttered to the other in a low tone that I almost missed it.

“…don’t be a weak asshole now. Remember boss said that if we don’t hear from Lucian in thirty minutes,we’ll frame Voss for kidnapping and the stock manipulation,then burn everything if he shows up with a rescue team.”

My heart stuttered.

They had a backup plan that’ll make sure even if he rescued me, he’d still lose everything.

I needed to warn him.

The guard closest to me had his phone clipped to his belt and I had managed to get a glimpse of his passcode when he took a call from his wife.

If I could just get to it…

Ethan straightened, wiping blood from his arm. “Tie her tighter. If Voss tries anything, put a bullet in her leg first. That will make her listen.”

The guards moved forward.As one leaned down to check my ankle ties, I lunged sideways, shoulder-checking him hard. He stumbled while I twisted and grabbed the phone from his belt with my bound hands, and frantically entered 2024..

The screen unlocked,I hurriedly opened messages and typed as fast as my numb fingers allowed:

“Paramount lot,soundstage 27. Hurry.” I typed or atleast believed I typed as I couldn’t properly see the keypad and had little or no time to type.

I hit send to Lucian’s number just as the guard realized what I’d done.

“You fucking—”

He ripped the phone away and backhanded me across the face. I felt blood escaping my lips.

Ethan laughed coldly. “You’re one clever girl but it’s too late.”

He nodded to the guards. “Break her fingers one by one. Let’s see how long she stays defiant.”

One guard grabbed my left hand.

I fought, kicking and screaming.

The first finger snapped with a sickening crack.

I cried out in pain but Ethan smiled in satisfaction.

Distant gunfire erupted outside almost immediately.

Ethan’s head snapped toward the door.

“What the hell—”

There were loud shouts and more gunshots,then I heard Lucian’s voice yelling into the night.

The guards wanted to stop but Ethan wouldn’t have it.

“Don’t be bitches and get on with it”

Before I could move,the second finger snapped.I screamed through clenched teeth, tears streaming down my face.

Ethan stood in front me, maintaining his wicked smile. “That’s two. How many more before you beg?”

The gunfire outside was getting louder and closer

One of the guards outside burst in. “Boss,they’re here! Voss brought a team — we’re taking heavy fire!”

Ethan’s face twisted. “Kill the bitch and make it slow.”

He raised his gun, pointing it at my head.

I stared straight into his eyes. “You’ll never win.”

He pulled the trigger but the shot never came.

The door exploded inward and Lucian stormed in with force with a glock raised as his eyes scanned the room.

He saw Ethan aiming at me and didn’t hesitate.

He fired. The bullet hit Ethan in the shoulder who staggered, his gun dropping.

Lucian was on him in seconds ,slamming him against the wall, fist connecting with his face.

“Touch her again and I’ll put the next one between your eyes,” Lucian growled.

Ethan laughed through bloodied teeth. “You’re too late. The dead-man’s switch is already set, baby. If I don’t check in, everything frames you for her kidnapping and the stock crash.”

Lucian didn’t flinch. He punched him again.

Mike and two of his men had already burst in behind him, securing the room and zip-tying the remaining guards.

Lucian turned to me as he let Ethan drop to the floor.

He crossed the room in seconds, speedingly dropping to his knees in front of the chair. His hands were gentle as he cut the zip ties with a knife from his belt.

“Aria,” he breathed with a cracking voice “Are you hurt?”

I nodded, tears falling freely now.

“Don’t worry,I’m here now.”

He helped me stand, supporting my weight as my legs shook. I leaned heavily against him, the pain in my ribs flaring with every breath.

Ethan groaned from the floor, still conscious. “You think this ends here? I have more and I always will.”

Lucian looked down at him with cold eyes. “You’re done, Ethan. The board and company company is mine. And if you ever come near my wife again, I won’t stop at a bullet in the shoulder.”

Mike dragged Ethan up. “What do we do with him, boss?”

“Take him alive,” Lucian said. “We’ll let the police have him after we make sure the dead-man’s switch is disabled by whomever he has on stand by.”

As Mike and the team hauled Ethan out, Lucian turned back to me.

He cupped my face gently, thumbs brushing away tears and blood.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I should have never let you go home alone.”

“It’s not your fault, I fought them actually.” I continued trying to sound brave. “I sent you a text from the guard’s phone. Did you get it?”

He nodded. “You helped track the phone to this place, love.”

I leaned into him, exhaustion crashing over me. “He said there’s more… something worse that is yet to come.”

Lucian’s arms tightened around me. “Let him try,we’ll be ready.”

Outside, sirens wailed in the distance signaling the police finally arriving.

As we stepped outside the soundstage,his phone buzzed in his pocket so he took it out and glanced at the screen.

It was Clara.He answered on speaker.

“Mr. Voss,” Clara started with an intense voice . “The board is panicking again. Someone leaked that you orchestrated the stock crash so the SEC is opening an inquiry. They’re saying you might get arrested for fraud.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened.”That bastard!”

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