Chapter 200

Evelyn kept glancing over her shoulder as she moved through the dense foliage. The sight of the drug warehouse being consumed by flames brought her a strange sense of relief.

Every trafficker in the area was now rushing toward the inferno, drawn like moths to a flame.

They emerged from the forest's edge to find themselves at the nation's border—a sheer cliff dropping into endless darkness.

Moonlight painted silver streaks across the landscape as distant gunfire echoed from the drug compound they'd left behind.

Trapped between a burning nest of vipers and an abyss, Evelyn turned to Liam with wide eyes. "You climbed up this cliff?"

Liam remained silent, scanning their surroundings before pulling her behind a massive boulder. He motioned for her to crouch.

From his pocket, he produced a flare gun and pressed it into her trembling hands.

"In thirty minutes, a helicopter will come," he said, his voice steady. "When you see it overhead, fire this. They'll retrieve you."

"Where are you going?" Evelyn clutched his sleeve, her fingers digging into the fabric.

Liam studied her panicked expression before gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Adrian was injured in Muzat while tracking the stolen weapons. He's still hospitalized."

Evelyn's grip tightened. "You're going after them alone, aren't you?"

His lips pressed into a thin line as he caressed her hair. "Just wait here for the helicopter."

The thought of Adrian's condition made tears spill down her cheeks. "No! It's too dangerous!"

"I'll be fine."

She grasped both his arms desperately. "Please, Liam. Don't go."

"You're the general of Aldenria," she pleaded. "Send someone else—anyone else—to investigate."

His warm palm cradled her face, thumb brushing away her tears. "Right now, I'm just Evelyn Carter's husband. My only duty is keeping you safe."

"Then stay with me," she begged. "Wait together for the helicopter."

Liam secured his sidearm before framing her tear-streaked face with both hands. "Evelyn, sending another operative now would be more dangerous than me going while everything's in chaos."

He met her gaze steadily. "They're someone's father, husband, or son too. Their lives matter as much as mine."

"With the enemy scattered, this is our best chance."

His words moved her profoundly, yet selfish fear clawed at her heart. "Please don't go," she whispered.

Liam crushed her against his chest in a desperate embrace, burying his face in her neck. "Forgive me," he murmured. "If I could change the past, I'd have saved you instead of Victoria."

Then he released her and turned away.

Evelyn pressed a hand to her mouth, silent sobs shaking her shoulders as she watched him stride toward danger.

Liam Blackwood!

Liam Blackwood!

Liam Blackwood!

"Come back to me," she whispered into the night wind. "I'll be waiting."