From Fake Heiress to FILTHY RICH

Chapter 3.

Chapter 3: Love Under Fire

The cabin’s windows rattled like a heartbeat gone wild, the distant gunfire growing louder as I pressed myself against Niko, his arm a warm, solid shield around me. It was just past midnight WAT, the night wrapping Kaelhaven’s outskirts in a thick, tense darkness, and the air inside smelled of woodsmoke and fear. My heart thudded against my ribs, matching the baby’s faint kicks, and my cheek stung where Niko had cleaned the cut, a reminder of the danger closing in. His breath was hot against my hair, his hand gripping mine like he’d never let go, and every time our eyes met, that love we’d confessed burned brighter, pushing back the terror. Theo and the Vipers moved quietly, setting up defenses—guns loaded, maps spread on the table—while the crackle of the radio filled the room with my mom’s worried voice.

“Stay low, Sloane,” she said over the comm, her tone shaky but firm. “The Serpents are relentless—Marcus won’t stop. Niko, keep her safe.” Her words tugged at my heart, and I pictured her back at the stronghold, pacing, her love for me a lifeline across the miles.

“I will,” Niko promised, his voice a low rumble as he glanced at me, his dark eyes soft with devotion. He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering, and I leaned into his touch, my breath catching. “I’ve got you, love,” he whispered, and the word sent a shiver of warmth through me, even as bullets pinged against the cabin’s walls.

“I know,” I murmured, my voice trembling but full of trust. I rested my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat, and the world narrowed to just us—his love, my hope, the baby we were fighting for. “I love you, Niko,” I said, my eyes locking with his, and he smiled, that crooked grin that made my knees weak.

“Love you more,” he replied, leaning in to kiss me, soft and urgent, his lips tasting of salt and promise. It was quick, stolen in the chaos, but it filled me with a courage I didn’t know I had. When he pulled back, his forehead pressed to mine, and I felt tears prick my eyes—happy ones, tangled with the fear.

A loud crash jolted us apart—the front door splintered, and Serpent goons burst in, guns blazing. Niko shoved me behind him, his body a wall between me and the danger, and fired back, his shots precise. “Stay down!” he yelled, his voice all business now, but his hand reached back, brushing my arm, a silent reassurance. I ducked, my heart pounding, and peeked out—Marcus led them, his scarred face twisted with rage, his eyes locked on me like I was prey.

“There she is!” Marcus snarled, raising his gun. A bullet whizzed past, grazing the wall, and I gasped, clutching my belly. Niko returned fire, taking down a goon, but more poured in, the cabin turning into a battlefield. Theo and the Vipers fought back, their shouts mixing with the gunfire, and I felt helpless, my love for Niko fueling a desperate need to help.

“I can’t just hide!” I whispered to him, my voice breaking. He glanced at me, his eyes torn, then nodded, pulling a small pistol from his belt.

“Only if you have to,” he said, pressing it into my hands, his fingers lingering on mine. “Aim for the legs—stay safe for me, for us.” His touch sent a wave of warmth through me, and I nodded, my heart swelling with love and fear. I held the gun, my hands shaking, but his faith in me steadied me.

The fight intensified, bullets flying, wood splintering. I stayed low, watching Niko move—graceful, fierce, every shot a testament to his skill. My heart ached with pride, with love, as he shielded me, his body always between me and the danger. Theo took a hit to the arm, grunting but staying upright, and I crawled to him, my gun ready.

“You okay?” I asked, my voice trembling as I pressed a cloth to his wound. He grinned, wincing, “Tougher than I look, sis. Keep that gun handy.” His teasing made me smile, a brief light in the darkness, and I nodded, my resolve hardening.

Marcus advanced, his gun trained on Niko, and my breath stopped. “Your blood’s mine, Astor!” he roared, firing. Niko dodged, but a bullet grazed his side, and he stumbled, blood staining his shirt. “Niko!” I screamed, my heart shattering, and I raised my gun, firing wildly. My shot hit Marcus’s leg, and he fell, cursing, his gun skittering away.

I rushed to Niko, dropping beside him, my hands shaking as I pressed them to his wound. “No, no, please,” I sobbed, tears streaming. His hand found mine, weak but warm, and he smiled, his voice faint. “I’m okay, love. You saved me.” His words broke me, and I kissed him, desperate and tender, tasting salt and blood, my love pouring out.

Theo and the Vipers finished off the remaining Serpents, Marcus dragged away, and the cabin fell silent, save for our ragged breaths. Niko pulled me close, his arm around me despite the pain, and I held him, my face buried in his neck. “I thought I lost you,” I whispered, my voice thick.

“Never,” he murmured, kissing my forehead. “You’re my reason, Sloane. You and the baby.” His love wrapped around me, a shield against the night, and I clung to him, my tears soaking his shirt.

A Viper medic rushed in, tending Niko’s wound, and I stayed by his side, my hand in his, my heart still racing. My mom’s voice came over the radio, relieved but urgent. “You’re alive—thank God. Get to the stronghold, now. More are coming.”