Chapter 2

Liam Blackwood had carved his legend through blood and steel on the battlefield, defending Aldenria's borders with unmatched ferocity.

Ryan Sullivan remembered how Liam had distinguished himself in the Valtorian Conflict, emerging as a decorated war hero after single-handedly neutralizing enemy forces.

How could this trembling woman before them possibly be his wife?

"Relax," Brett Hawkins scoffed, waving off his men's concerns. "General Blackwood is the most feared man in Aldenria. No fool would dare traffic his wife. Last I heard, he's still unmarried."

Brett turned his attention back to Evelyn Carter. "Her husband probably just shares the same name. Keep calling until he delivers the twenty million dollars."

His men continued their frantic attempts to reach Liam.

Exhausted, Evelyn collapsed into the corner, squeezing her eyes shut against the hopelessness of her situation.

—

The explosion came without warning, shaking the warehouse's foundations.

Evelyn's eyes flew open as the deafening blast echoed through the space.

The card-playing thugs scrambled for their weapons in panic.

"Boss!" A lookout came running, face pale. "We're under attack! Someone just blew open our gates!"

"Blew them open?" Brett's voice cracked with fear. "Who?"

"The military!" The man pointed upward with a shaking hand. "Two attack helicopters—"

"The Aldenrian Special Forces? The ones from the Solterra campaign?" Brett's face drained of color. "We're dead men!"

He yanked Evelyn up by her hair. "Is your husband the fucking Commander of Aldenria's armed forces?"

Evelyn gave a weak nod. Brett's grip tightened as he pressed his gun to her temple, realizing his fatal mistake.

Outside, the compound was surrounded by armored vehicles. Rows of elite soldiers stood at perfect attention, their advanced weaponry glinting in the sunlight.

Above them, fighter jets carved through the sky while snipers took position on nearby rooftops.

The sheer military might made several of Brett's men drop their weapons in surrender.

"Let me go or I'll kill her!" Brett screamed, dragging Evelyn toward the back exit.

A black SUV's door swung open at the center of the formation.

The man who emerged wore tactical gear that accentuated his powerful frame. His chiseled features were set in an expression so cold it made the air itself seem to freeze.

When Evelyn saw him, her breath caught. Her pulse pounded so loudly she feared everyone could hear it.

Liam.

His glacial gaze swept over the scene before settling on Brett. "Release her," he commanded, his voice like steel.

Brett's hands shook violently. "I-I didn't know she was yours, General! L-let me walk away and she goes free!"

Liam's eyes never once acknowledged Evelyn.

Instead, he slowly raised his service pistol. The click of the safety disengaging echoed through the sudden silence. "If she dies," Liam said calmly, "you'll take seven bullets before you hit the ground."