Chapter41 Don't Touch Her!

Chapter41 Don't Touch Her!
Talia POV
The viciousness in his eyes made the man drop the syringe with a clatter.
"Touch my people? You got a death wish?" Jareth stepped forward twice as his guards fanned out, surrounding everyone in the warehouse.
The two burly guards snapped to attention, reaching for the knives at their backs, but Jareth's men pistol-whipped them both. They dropped like stones.
Jareth strode over to me, yanking the gag from my mouth before pulling out a knife to cut the ropes binding my wrists.
"It's over. I'm here." He pulled me into his arms. I collapsed against him, tears streaming down my face and soaking into his suit jacket.
Before I could catch my breath, chaos erupted outside. The crew-cut man burst in with reinforcements. "Jareth, you got here fast. But this warehouse is going to be your grave."
Jareth pushed me behind him and shot his guards a look. "Deal with them."
I clutched his jacket tight, then saw a huge guy charging from the side, knife gleaming as he lunged straight for me.
"Jareth!"
Before I could react, Jareth spun like a shadow, shielding me completely. His forearm blocked the blade. The knife sliced across his skin with a sickening sound. He grunted but didn't let the attack get anywhere near me.
The attacker tried again. Jareth kicked him hard, sending him flying.
I was still shaking, but my eyes were locked on his torn sleeve, blood dripping down his arm.
Then I spotted a gun on the floor, dropped by someone in the chaos.
Without thinking, I stumbled forward and grabbed it.
The moment my fingers wrapped around the grip, everything Jareth had taught me flooded back. How to hold it, how to squeeze the trigger.
Another thug broke free from a guard and swung a machete at Jareth's back. I gritted my teeth, raised the gun, aimed at his leg, and fired.
The gunshot echoed. The man screamed and hit the ground, blood seeping through his pants.
Jareth glanced back at me. "Get back! Don't be stupid!"
I ignored him. My hands were shaking, but I kept my eyes locked on another guy trying to circle behind Jareth.
When the thug saw me holding the gun, he hesitated, then charged anyway. I swung the gun like a club, smashing him in the face. He staggered back. I aimed the barrel at him. "You want him? Go through me first!"
The fight didn't last long. Crew-cut's men were scattered, either groaning on the floor or restrained by guards. Crew-cut himself was pinned down by Jareth's boot, unable to move.
Jareth didn't even look at him. He rushed to me, grabbed my wrist holding the gun, wiped the blood from my lip, and touched my reddened forehead. "Does it hurt? Are you injured anywhere?"
I shook my head silently and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He kissed my forehead. "With me here, no one can hurt you."
He turned to his guards. "Clean up the rest."
As soon as Jareth and I left the warehouse, I saw police cars parked outside, lights flashing painfully bright. Aron stood by the cars with several reporters. When he saw us, he immediately rushed over with his microphone.
"Mr. Jareth, was tonight's gunfight because the Camorra family was exposed by the Casa family for illegal dealings and lashed out in anger?"
Jareth frowned and pulled me behind him. "No comment."
But Aron wouldn't let it go. "According to sources, there was a violent shootout at this abandoned warehouse tonight. Multiple people were injured, and there are allegations of forced drug use. Does this relate to the Camorra family's criminal activities? The police are investigating. Don't you owe the public an explanation?"
My heart sank. Aron had planned this, bringing reporters and police deliberately.
Sure enough, Aron turned to the camera and embellished: "Viewers, we're at the abandoned warehouse in the east district where a violent incident just occurred. We understand this involves a dispute between the Camorra and Casa families. There's even evidence that Camorra family members forced people to use drugs. This is extremely serious. We call on police to launch a full investigation and punish those responsible to keep our citizens safe."
Then he turned to the officers. "Officers, you can't ignore something this serious. The Camorra family has been involved in criminal activity for years. Now they're openly fighting and allegedly trafficking drugs. You must investigate thoroughly."
Several officers exchanged glances before approaching Jareth. "Mr. Jareth, we need you to come to the station for questioning."
Jareth laughed coldly. "I'll cooperate. But no one touches my people."