Into the Lion’s Den
988 Words
Chapter 22 — Into the Lion’s Den
(Dual POV — Damian & Aria)
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Damian’s POV
By the time the clock struck ten, the Blackwood estate was a battlefield.
Every corridor hummed with tension. My men were arming up, loading rifles, checking ammo. The weight of the war brewing in this city pressed against my chest like a steel blade.
Victor thought he could take Aria from me.
He thought wrong.
Lucas approached, tossing me a pistol.
“All men are in position,” he said quietly.
“But Damian…”
I arched an eyebrow.
“What?”
“There’s chatter on the channels,” he hesitated.
“Victor’s hired outside muscle for this trade. Mercenaries. Trained. Efficient.”
I loaded the pistol without hesitation, the click of the slide sharp in the silence.
“Then we kill them first.”
Lucas sighed, rubbing his temple.
“You know, there’s a simpler solution.”
“Enlighten me.”
“Don’t go.”
I turned slowly, my voice low and deadly.
“She’s mine, Lucas.”
He didn’t argue after that.
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Aria’s POV
I sat on the edge of Damian’s massive desk, watching him assemble weapons like it was second nature. The sleek black steel looked lethal in his hands.
Every move he made screamed danger.
Every shadow on his face whispered secrets.
But I couldn’t afford to be afraid.
“We need a plan,” I said softly.
His head lifted, his dark gaze locking on mine.
“The plan is simple,” he said.
“We walk in. We walk out. And Victor doesn’t.”
I shook my head sharply.
“You think it’s that easy? He wants me there, Damian. This isn’t just about Sofia. He’s luring you.”
His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile.
“Then let him.”
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Damian’s POV
She thought I didn’t know Victor’s game, but I knew it better than anyone.
He wanted Aria because he knew she was my weakness.
And he wasn’t wrong.
But he underestimated me.
“Get some rest,” I told her, brushing my thumb against her jawline gently — an act I rarely allowed myself.
“You’ll need it.”
“I’m not sleeping while Sofia’s out there,” she said stubbornly.
I leaned closer, my breath hot against her ear.
“Then don’t sleep. Stay close. Don’t leave my sight.”
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Aria’s POV
Hours blurred into minutes as we rode in Damian’s armored SUV, the city lights flickering past like ghosts.
Lucas sat in the front, giving constant updates.
“Snipers are in position. Two escape routes secured. Surveillance drones active.”
Damian said nothing, his jaw tight, his fingers drumming against his thigh like a ticking bomb.
Finally, I broke the silence.
“You’re too calm,” I whispered.
He glanced at me, eyes like shards of obsidian.
“Calm men are the most dangerous, sweetheart.”
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Damian’s POV
We arrived at the abandoned steel plant by the docks, Victor’s chosen battleground.
The air reeked of salt, rust, and blood yet to be spilled.
I stepped out first, scanning the shadows. My men fanned out instantly, weapons raised.
Then a voice echoed from the upper platform, smooth and mocking.
“Blackwood.”
Victor Hale stepped into the dim light, flanked by two armed guards and a camera feed broadcasting Sofia — tied, gagged, and shaking.
“You came,” Victor said with a grin.
“And you brought my favorite lawyer.”
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Aria’s POV
I gripped Damian’s arm, forcing myself to keep my chin high.
“Let her go, Victor,” I said, surprised at the strength in my voice.
He laughed — low, dark, and chilling.
“Oh, sweetheart. That’s not how this works.”
His gaze slid over me slowly, deliberately, before settling back on Damian.
“Trade her for Sofia. That was the deal.”
Damian stepped forward, his voice a blade.
“You’re not getting her.”
Victor’s smile widened.
“Then I guess we have a problem.”
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Damian’s POV
It happened fast.
Gunfire erupted from the rafters. Muzzle flashes lit the dark like lightning. My men scattered into position, shouting commands over comms.
I shoved Aria behind a stack of steel crates.
“Stay down!”
Bullets ricocheted around us, sharp and deafening.
Lucas slid beside me, returning fire.
“Damian, it’s a trap! He’s got at least twenty shooters up high!”
“Then we clear them,” I growled, leaning around the crate and taking two down cleanly.
Victor’s laughter echoed across the plant, cruel and wild.
“You should’ve given me the girl, Blackwood!”
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Aria’s POV
I peeked out from behind the crate just in time to see Sofia dragged forward by one of Victor’s men, a knife pressed to her throat.
Her muffled screams tore through me.
“Damian!” I cried, grabbing his arm.
“They’re going to kill her!”
He glanced at Sofia, then at me, his expression unreadable.
“We don’t move,” he said firmly.
“That’s what he wants.”
Tears burned my eyes.
“She’s going to die!”
Before he could answer, Victor shouted again:
“Aria! Come out, or I paint this floor with your friend’s blood!”
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Damian’s POV
My body went cold.
Victor wanted to push me.
He wanted me off balance.
And he was close to succeeding.
I turned to Aria, gripping her chin gently but firmly.
“You don’t move,” I ordered.
“Do you hear me?”
Her breath trembled, but she nodded.
I raised my gun, signaling Lucas to circle left, when a loud metallic crash erupted behind us.
One of Victor’s men had flanked our position.
Before I could shoot, a scream tore through the chaos.
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Cliffhanger Ending
Sofia’s chair tipped over.
Gunfire stopped.
And when the smoke cleared…
She was gone.
- Writer
