Chapter11:Blood Doesn’t Ask for Permission
880 Words
The door opened.
Not Diana.
Eleanor Blake—neat suit, unreadable face.
Selene’s breath caught.
“So,” Eleanor said, closing door. “You’re Selene.”
No answer.
“You’ve caused disruption.”
“I didn’t ask for this.”
“No. Your parents said the same.”
Words hit hard.
Then suddenly.
There was a crash outside—shouting, struggle.
Eleanor stiffened.
Then—
“Austin, stop!”
Selene’s heart leapt.
Door flew open.
Austin—chest heaving, eyes wild.
“Get away from her,” he said, voice shaking fury.
Eleanor stared. “What are you doing here?”
......................
Eleanor stared at him, disbelief hardening into something colder.
“What are you doing here?”
Austin didn’t answer. His arms were already around Selene, body curved to shield her, every muscle screaming she was his to protect.
Selene trembled against his chest—pale, cracked lips, bruises blooming under sleeves. The sight twisted something ugly in him.
“What’s going on?” he demanded, voice rough. “Why is she locked up like this? Why are you here?”
Eleanor smoothed her expression too fast. “This isn’t the place for feelings, Austin. You shouldn’t have come.”
He laughed—short, bitter. “You kidnapped her.”
“Watch your tone.”
“You chained her. Starved her. Let them touch her.” His voice cracked. “And you want me to watch my tone?”
Selene’s fingers curled weakly into his shirt—shame, fear, exhaustion rolling off her in waves.
Eleanor’s gaze flicked to her—half a second—then back. “You’re misunderstanding.”
“Then explain.” Austin’s grip tightened. “Explain why the woman I love is in one of your hidden buildings like evidence to erase.”
Heavy silence. The kind that carried years of closed doors and half-heard arguments suddenly snapping into focus.
Eleanor exhaled. “This is bigger than you.”
“That’s what you always say when you’re guilty.”
Footsteps approached outside. Guards.
Selene’s breathing quickened.
Austin held her tighter. “Untie her.”
“No.”
“Then I don’t move. I won't leave. I don’t negotiate.”
Eleanor studied him—really looked. This wasn’t the son she’d groomed. This was a man cornered by love.
“You’re making this hard,” she said.
“You made it impossible.”
A beat.
“Untie her,” Eleanor ordered.
Guards hesitated.
“Now.”
Ropes loosened. Selene gasped as blood rushed back. Austin steadied her, hands gentle, reverent.
“There,” Eleanor said. “Unharmed.”
Austin glanced at the bruises, the way she couldn’t stand straight. “Don’t insult me.”
Eleanor’s composure flickered. “You don’t understand the danger she will cause.”
Selene lifted her head. “I don’t know anything.”
Eleanor ignored her. “Austin, you’ve always trusted us.”
“No.” He helped Selene stand. “This is different.”
“We’re leaving,” he said.
Eleanor stepped aside—halfway.
“Take her. Tonight.”
Austin frowned. “Tonight?”
“But this doesn’t end.” Her voice hardened. “You’ve crossed a line you don’t understand.”
“Then stop drawing lines through people’s lives.”
Distant siren wailed—close enough to matter.
“Five minutes,” Eleanor said. “After that, I can’t protect you.”
Austin didn’t thank her.
He walked Selene out.
The drive was silent.
Selene leaned against the window, eyes half-closed, body weak. Austin kept one hand on the wheel, the other on her thigh—grounding himself in her warmth. Every red light felt like a trap. Every passing car felt like eyes.
They reached the penthouse. Selene collapsed on the couch. Austin knelt, brushing hair from her face.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
“You came.”
“Always will.”
She closed her eyes, tears slipping. Then exhaustion pulled her under.
His phone rang.
Dad.
Austin stepped away. Answered.
“What did you do?” Richard’s voice thundered.
“I asked questions.”
“You embarrassed this family. Interfered where you weren’t invited.”
“You kidnapped someone.”
Quiet laugh. “Tonight wasn’t about harm. It was restraint.”
Austin’s blood chilled.
“She was being prepared,” Richard continued. “For relocation. Permanent.”
“You don’t move people like assets.”
“You don’t choose who threatens us.”
Austin glanced at Selene—sleeping, fragile.
“Stay away from her.”
“You’ll understand soon,” Richard said. “And wish you hadn’t pulled her back in.”
The call ended.
Austin stood shaking.
Hours later, Selene woke to warmth.
Austin sat beside her, eyes red, jaw tight.
She curled tighter. “Austin…”
He knelt. “They were moving you. Permanently. I don’t know where—but I got you out.”
Her lips trembled. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
He took her hand. “You will. Always.”
“Why do they hate us?”
“It’s not hate. It’s control.” Voice low. “My parents… they’re part of it. Diana too. Whatever your dad had—they’re terrified it comes out.”
Selene shivered. “I thought you were giving in.”
- Writer
