Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen
Aftermath of the Rescue

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands. The bruises on my wrists were fading, but the memories weren’t. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the cold room, the handcuffs, the way Sebastian looked at me like he owned me. I hated it. I hated how it still made me feel trapped, even when I was free.

Claire sat beside me, arms crossed, watching me like she was waiting for me to break the silence. She had been quiet since we got back, but I knew her well enough to know it wouldn’t last long.

“You haven’t said a word since we got back,” she finally said.

I swallowed hard. “What do you want me to say?”

“That you’re okay.”

I let out a short laugh, but there was no humor in it. I lifted my gaze to hers, my fingers curling into fists. “I don’t know if I am.”

Her jaw tightened. “You can’t let them break you, Adrianna.”

I nodded, but my mind wasn’t here. It was back there, in that room, with Sebastian’s voice taunting me. It was running through every moment I had been at their mercy, every time I had wondered if I’d make it out alive.

Sebastian had captured me twice. Alessandro was still out there. And Nicholas…

My chest tightened. Nicholas hadn’t said much since the rescue. He was watching me, studying me, but keeping his distance. I didn’t know if it was because he was angry, relieved, or something else entirely. And it was driving me insane.

Roman walked in, his eyes scanning the room before landing on me. His expression was unreadable, but there was something firm in his posture.

“She needs rest,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Claire hesitated, clearly wanting to say more, but then she sighed and stood up. “Fine. But this isn’t over, Adrianna.”

I didn’t respond.

She left, and Roman pulled a chair up, sitting across from me. His arms rested on his knees, and for a long moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he said, “You’re thinking about going after them.”

I met his gaze. “Wouldn’t you?”

He exhaled, leaning forward. “I get it. You want answers. But you almost died. Twice. We barely got you out.”

I clenched my fists. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

His expression darkened. “Nicholas won’t let you go after them.”

I scoffed. “Then I won’t tell him.”

Roman let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You really think you can keep this from him? He’s watching you, Adrianna. He knows how you think.”

I looked away, knowing he was right but unwilling to admit it.

Roman stood, his movements slow but deliberate. “If you do this, you’re not doing it alone.”

I frowned. “What are you saying?”

He shrugged. “I’m saying, if you go after them, I go with you.”

I studied his face, searching for hesitation. There was none.

“You don’t have to do this,” I said quietly.

“Neither do you,” he countered.

Silence stretched between us, heavy and unyielding.

Then the door opened.

Nicholas.

His dark eyes met mine, and the room seemed to shrink.

Roman glanced between us before stepping toward the door. “I’ll give you two a minute.”

When he left, Nicholas moved closer. His movements were slow, controlled.

“You should be resting,” he said.

“I’m fine.”

He didn’t look convinced. “You were locked in a cell for days. You were taken twice. That doesn’t just go away overnight.”

I crossed my arms. “I don’t need a lecture.”

“Then what do you need?”

I hesitated. I wasn’t sure how to answer that.

Nicholas exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I know what you’re thinking. You want revenge.”

I met his gaze. “Wouldn’t you?”

“Yes. But I also wouldn’t rush into something I’m not ready for.”

I stiffened. “I don’t care if I’m ready.”

“You should.”

I shook my head. “I can’t just sit here while they’re still out there.”

His jaw tightened. “And what happens if they take you again?”

I clenched my teeth. “Then I won’t let them.”

His eyes darkened. “You think it’s that simple?”

“I think I have to try.”

Nicholas stared at me for a long moment before sighing. “You’re stubborn.”

I smirked slightly. “You’re just figuring that out?”

A ghost of a smile flickered on his lips, but it disappeared just as fast. “If you’re going after them, you need a real plan. No reckless moves.”

I nodded. “I know.”

He studied me, his gaze searching for something. “Then I’m going with you.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You’re not doing this alone,” he said firmly. “I won’t let you.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes told me it was useless.

This fight wasn’t just mine anymore.

It never had been.

But something in me still burned with the need to prove that I could handle it.

I looked away, gripping the edge of the blanket as frustration bubbled inside me. “I don’t need a babysitter, Nicholas.”

“That’s not what this is,” he said.

“Then what is it?”

“Insurance,” he said simply. “Because whether you want to admit it or not, you’re not thinking straight right now.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m thinking just fine.”

Nicholas tilted his head slightly, studying me. “Are you? Because all I see is someone who wants to charge in without a plan. And if you do that, you’re not just risking your life—you’re risking mine. Roman’s. Claire’s. Everyone’s.”

His words hit harder than I wanted to admit.

I swallowed, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Then help me come up with a plan.”

He didn’t answer immediately. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Fine. But if we do this, we do it my way.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Your way?”

“Yes. No rushing in. No reckless decisions. We gather intel first. We find their weak points before we make a move.”

It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it was better than doing nothing.

I sighed. “Okay.”

Nicholas gave a small nod. “Good. Because if we’re going after them, I want to make sure they never get the chance to touch you again.”

The intensity in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

For the first time since I got back, I felt something other than anger.

I felt safe.

And maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I thought.