Chapter 136: A New Enemy Rises

Chapter 136: A New Enemy Rises
"No, Julian," he said. "You live with this."
He raised a remote in his hand.
Lexi’s breath caught.
Before anyone could react, a massive explosion ripped through the ballroom’s entrance, sending shockwaves through the room.
Glass shattered.
Plaster rained down.
The lights flickered and went out.
Screams filled the darkness.
Chaos reigned.
Julian grabbed Lexi, pulling her low, shielding her with his body.
"Stay with me," he growled against her ear. "No matter what happens, stay with me."
She clung to him, heart hammering so loudly she could barely hear anything else.
Gunshots erupted.
Security fired back.
People ran, cried, begged for help.
Julian dragged her toward the side exits, every muscle in his body coiled with deadly intent.
But the unknown man was relentless.
"You think you can protect her?" he shouted. "You think you can protect anyone?"
Another explosion rocked the side of the building, collapsing part of the ceiling.
Julian shoved Lexi out of the way just in time, debris crashing down inches from where she had been standing.
"GO!" he shouted at her. "RUN!"
"I’m not leaving you!" she screamed back.
"GO, LEXI!"
But before she could move, rough hands grabbed her from behind.
Lexi struggled, kicking and clawing, but it was no use.
The unknown man pulled her against him, holding a gun to her temple.
"One move," he sneered at Julian. "One wrong move and she dies."
Julian froze.
Lexi’s heart shattered.
"Let her go," Julian said, voice like death itself.
The man laughed. "Why should I? You took everything from me! Now it’s your turn!"
"You’ll never get out of here alive," Julian said.
"Neither will you," the man spat.
And then — from the chaos behind them — a shot rang out.
The unknown man jerked.
His grip on Lexi loosened.
She ripped free just as Julian lunged forward, tackling the man to the ground.
The gun clattered away.
Security swarmed, dragging the man off in handcuffs, screaming curses and promises of revenge.
Lexi collapsed into Julian’s arms, shaking uncontrollably.
"It’s over," he whispered against her hair. "It’s over, my love. I’ve got you."
She clung to him like a lifeline, sobbing in relief.
Around them, the gala lay in ruins.
But they had survived.
Together.
Bruised.
Broken.
But unbowed.
—
Later, after the police had taken statements and the paramedics had tended to the wounded, Julian and Lexi sat alone in the wreckage of the ballroom.
He pulled her into his lap, wrapping her in his jacket.
They didn’t speak.
They didn’t need to.
In the silence, their hearts beat in the same broken rhythm.
They had been through hell.

The penthouse was too quiet.
Lexi stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, arms wrapped tightly around herself, staring out at the sleeping city. It had been two days since the attack at the gala. Two days since her world had been ripped apart again.
And still, every time she closed her eyes, she saw it.
The explosion.
The gun in her face.
The strangers screaming.
The way Julian’s voice had cracked when he shouted for her to run.
She shivered violently even now, though the room was warm.
She hated feeling like this — fragile. Afraid. Weak.
A soft sound behind her made her stiffen.
"Lexi," Julian’s voice came, rough with worry.
She didn’t turn. Couldn’t. If she looked at him, she might fall apart all over again.
He crossed the room anyway, not stopping until he was right behind her. His hands — those strong hands that had once terrified her and now were the only thing grounding her — settled gently on her shoulders.
"You’re safe," he said, as if saying it aloud could make it true.
Lexi closed her eyes, breathing him in. His scent. His warmth. His strength.
"I don’t feel safe," she whispered.
Julian turned her around slowly. When she opened her eyes, she saw it — the guilt carved into his face like stone.
"You have every right to hate me for dragging you into this," he said lowly. "Every right to walk away."
Her heart twisted.
She didn’t hate him.
She hated how powerless she felt.
"I’m not going anywhere," she said, her voice barely audible.
Julian’s arms folded around her, pulling her tight to his chest. She buried her face against him, finally letting herself cry — silent, broken sobs that shook her body.
He said nothing.
He just held her, rocking her slightly, whispering words only meant for her.
It was the safest she had felt in days.
Maybe the safest she had ever felt.
—
The next morning was no easier.
Lexi woke tangled in the sheets, the ghost of last night’s nightmares still clawing at her mind. She found Julian sitting at the edge of the bed, already dressed, talking quietly into his phone.
"No. Double the security around her. I don’t care what it costs."
A pause.
"If anyone so much as looks at her wrong, I want to know. Immediately."
He hung up and turned, his face softening when he saw her awake.
"Morning, love," he said, brushing hair from her eyes. "How do you feel?"
Lexi managed a small smile. "Like I got hit by a truck."
He chuckled lowly, but there was no humor in it. "I’m so sorry, Lexi."
She reached out, touching his hand.
"I know," she said simply.
Julian laced his fingers with hers.
"There’s something I want to do," he said hesitantly. "Something for you."
Lexi tilted her head, curious. "What?"
He smiled — small, but real. "It’s a surprise."
Lexi groaned. "Julian Styles and his surprises. Should I be scared?"
He laughed — a real laugh — and for a second, it felt like the world hadn't completely broken apart.
"No, my love," he said. "You should be excited."
Lexi squeezed his hand. "Okay. Surprise me."
And she meant it.
Because even in the ruins, she was choosing him.
Again and again.
—
But neither of them knew that while they clung to each other, the next storm was already brewing.
In a shadowed office downtown, a man scrolled through photos of the gala disaster, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
The unknown man had been the first attack.
But he was nothing compared to what was coming next.
This new enemy — colder, smarter, far more vicious — was watching.
Waiting.
Plotting.
And Lexi and Julian were walking right into his trap.
—
Two days later, Julian’s surprise unfolded.