SIMONE'S POV
The explosions were getting closer.
Nicholas grabbed my hand, pulling me through the fortress corridors as the sound of automatic gunfire echoed off the stone walls.
My heart hammered against my ribs, but not from fear of the bullets or bombs.
It was the thought of losing him that terrified me.
"This way," he said, leading me down a narrow staircase I had never seen before.
His jaw was set in that familiar hard line, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his golden eyes kept darting to check our surroundings.
We reached a heavy wooden door reinforced with steel. Nicholas pulled out a key, his movements quick and efficient despite the chaos erupting above us.
"Where does this lead?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as another exp
