Chapter 110 Farewell

Chapter 110 Farewell

Lucas's POV

The second I heard Chloe's desperate cry for help, I didn't think twice—I just ran.

Black Hound stood front and center, cigarette dangling from his mouth, rope and empty water bottles scattered at his feet.

The tall, skinny guy had Chloe pinned beneath him, his hands tearing at her jacket.

Chloe's voice was breaking, raw with pleading. "Please, I'm begging you, don't do this to me..."

For a split second, I couldn't breathe. The rage inside my chest detonated.

"Let her go." I forced the words out through gritted teeth, barely containing the fury.

The skinny guy froze mid-motion. Black Hound slowly turned around, and the moment he saw me, a cold smirk spread across his face.

"I knew you'd come, Mr. White."

I raised my gun, aiming squarely at him. "I said, let her go."

Black Hound lifted his hand and gestured to the underling beside him.

The skinny guy muttered a curse and reluctantly climbed off Chloe.

Her hair was a mess, her whole body trembling, still trapped in sheer panic. She hadn't snapped out of it yet.

Every instinct screamed at me to rush over, to hold her, to calm her down—but I couldn't.

Black Hound glanced at Chloe's disheveled state, then turned back to me. "You're interesting, Mr. White. The precinct's been watching me for months, and here you are—walking in alone, all for some girl."

"Cut the crap." My eyes were ice.

"Fine." He grinned, calculation gleaming in his gaze. "You want to take her? Trade yourself for her."

I stared him down as he continued. "Toss your gun over. Take off all your comms. Let my guys tie you up."

Beside him, Chloe shook her head frantically, her voice hoarse and breaking. "No, Lucas, don't..."

I looked at her and softened my tone deliberately. "It's okay."

Black Hound's grin widened. "Officer, don't rush into the heroic boyfriend act. My patience is limited."

I raised my hands, set down my gun, and kicked it toward him with one foot. The metal slid across the floor and stopped at Black Hound's feet.

I pulled the tiny earpiece from behind my ear and tossed it aside. The static from the action channel downstairs cut off completely.

Black Hound bent down, picked up the gun, weighed it in his hand twice, looking smug. "That's more like it."

I started walking forward.

Two men rushed me immediately, grabbing my arms on both sides. Someone locked their arm around my neck from behind, and a knee slammed hard into the back of my legs.

I didn't resist. I let them force me down, bending my head low.

Black Hound walked up to me and tapped the side of my face with the barrel of the gun. "Lunaris PD's notorious hard-ass, and today you're mine to play with."

I ignored his taunts, keeping my eyes locked on Chloe.

"Untie her." My voice was a low command.

Black Hound jerked his chin. The skinny guy stepped forward and used a knife to cut through the rope binding her wrists.

The second the restraints came off, Chloe went limp, nearly sliding off the chair onto the floor. Her legs were too weak to hold her up. She gripped the back of the chair just to stay upright. I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles cracked. The urge to kill was nearly unbearable.

Black Hound tilted his head toward her. "Go through that door. Follow the stairs all the way down."

Chloe stood frozen, tears streaming down her face as she stared at me. "Lucas, I'm not leaving."

I looked at her red-rimmed eyes. "Listen to me."

"I won't leave!" She stumbled forward a step. "Please, don't leave me alone here."

Black Hound clicked his tongue impatiently. "How touching."

I ignored him completely, keeping my eyes on Chloe. I spoke slowly, deliberately. "When you get out, someone will be waiting for you. Don't look back. Don't stop. Understand?"

Chloe shook her head hard, tears falling faster. "I'll stay with you. Whatever happens, I'm staying."

My throat tightened. I shook my head gently. "Chloe, look at me."

She lifted her eyes to mine, tears brimming over.

"You have to get out of here alive."

Her lips trembled, but her feet stayed rooted to the spot.

Black Hound suddenly aimed his gun at her. "Keep stalling, and I'll blow his kneecaps first. Then yours."

My expression went stone-cold. "Let her go."

Chloe flinched at the icy edge in my voice. She stared at me, finally understanding that my mind was made up. I wasn't changing it.

She took one shaky step back, then another, nearly tripping. When she reached the door, she slammed into the metal railing.

I kept my eyes on her the entire time, watching until she disappeared through the doorway.

The second the iron door slammed shut, the last trace of warmth left my gaze.

Black Hound burst out laughing. "Never thought I'd see the day."

I tilted my head, rolling my stiff shoulder, and let out a low chuckle.

"You really think a bunch of clowns like you can hold me?"

Black Hound's smile froze.

I exploded into motion. My elbow shot backward, slamming hard into the ribs of the guy behind me. He screamed in pain, his grip loosening instantly. I grabbed his wrist, twisted, and hurled him across the room.

The guy on my left swung at me. I kicked his knee with precision—he dropped hard. At the same time, I rammed my shoulder into the guy on my right, grabbed the back of his collar, and slammed his face forward. His nose shattered on impact, blood spraying everywhere.

Black Hound cursed and raised his gun to fire.

I yanked one of the downed thugs in front of me as a shield. The bullet whizzed past his ear.

Downstairs, urgent footsteps echoed. Sirens wailed, closing in fast. The entire building was surrounded.

I locked eyes with Black Hound. "It's over. The whole place is locked down. Surrender now, and you might get a lighter sentence."

Black Hound suddenly threw his head back and laughed like a madman. "Surrender?"

He wiped the sweat off his face, his eyes wild. "Lucas, you really think I planned on walking out of here alive?"

He took a step back. His heel hit a rusted metal box in the corner.

I saw the wires running from the box. My heart dropped. "Don't move!"

Black Hound grinned viciously and held up a remote control.

"I came here to drag you down with me."

The next second—

Beep.

The entire world exploded.

A deafening roar tore through my eardrums. Fire erupted from the ground, and the whole rooftop shook violently.

I didn't think—I just dove toward a collapsed section of concrete forming a triangular gap. A scorching blast wave slammed into me head-on.

Rebar, debris, metal sheets—all of it came crashing down in a wall of fire.

Every sound cut out instantly. Nothing but dead silence.

---

When I came to, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled my nose.

The white ceiling lights were blinding. I tried to move, and a sharp, dull pain shot through my chest and shoulder.

"Don't move." Delta was sitting beside the bed. She pressed a hand on my arm. "You're incredibly lucky to be alive."

I opened my dry mouth, my voice hoarse and rough. "Where's Chloe?"

Delta looked at me like she'd expected that to be my first question.

"She's fine. Our guys got her out in time. Lester's been with her the whole time."

I closed my eyes slowly, my breathing finally evening out. "What day is it?"

"It's the day of the State Piano Competition." Delta paused. "She already left for the venue."

My eyes snapped open. "Who went with her?"

"Lester."

The second I heard that name, a young, baby-faced rookie flashed through my mind. Blond, always smiling, reckless and impulsive—never steady.

My expression darkened. He couldn't take care of Chloe properly.

I threw off the blanket and tried to get out of bed. Delta immediately stood up and blocked me. "Lucas, your job isn't done yet. Our people are still tracking down Black Hound's entire crime network. If you show up now, you'll just cause problems—for yourself and the case."

I steadied myself against the edge of the bed, pulled on my shoes. "I just want to see her. One look. Then I'm gone."

---

The competition venue was packed. Every seat was filled.

Onstage, center spotlight, Chloe sat at the piano. She was wearing the white dress I'd given her—so pure she looked like an angel fallen to earth.

Her hands lifted to the keys. The first note rang out, and the entire hall fell silent.

I'd heard her practice a thousand times, but seeing her like this—I was still stunned.

The final note faded. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

Chloe stood and bowed gracefully toward the audience. I quietly took a step back, planning to slip away unnoticed.

But then—she lifted her head.

Her gaze cut through the crowd, through the sea of lights, and landed directly on me, standing in the wings.

My feet stopped moving.