Arno was still in Lucien embrace when suddenly her vision started to blur, and she could no longer keep her eyelids open. Sounds began to fade into the distance and the scent of blood mixed with the smoky air, thick and suffocating...she could no longer hold her sense.
---
"Shan, did you notify Starry Night?" I asked. "And are you hurt badly?"
"Yes, Mr. Moreaux. They'll be here in a minute." Shan was bleeding too.
I looked down at Arno. "Arno? Sunbeam?" I called softly. No response.
Still breathing. Panic rose in my chest.
"She must have fainted from overexertion, Mr. Moreaux. Don't worry about here. We'll handle the situation and investigate thoroughly. You need to get Ms. Solace to the hospital—immediately."
"I can't leave you here alone," I said firmly. "You're also my responsibility."
Shan's eyes filled with tears in the dark, so no one can see it. He chuckled. Boss, are you worried that I'll no longer be there to load your files, he said.
I glared at him when a distant hum rose in the silence, low and growing louder—like thunder wrapped in precision. Lights cut through the dark, growing brighter by the second.
Shan turned his head weakly from where he crouched beside Lucien, blood running down his temple.
"What now… another hit squad?"
I'm, with arm bandaged in Arno's scarf, narrowed my eyes.
But this wasn't another ambush.
It was salvation.
Or more accurately, Starry Night, arriving like a storm dressed in vengeance.
Six armored vehicles, matte black Range Rovers and one shining limited-edition Rolls-Royce Cullinan...roared down the bypass, moving in military precision. Doors opened before the tires even stopped spinning.
Armed men in bespoke black suits and comms in their ears poured out, sleek and deadly. Each one wore a tiny lapel pin: a silver star crossed with a blade—the symbol of Lucien's private elite force. The Black Orchestra.
And leading them?
A man who stepped out of the Rolls like the night had taken human form.
Starry Night.
Hair slicked back, coat catching the wind, boots polished like glass, and in his eyes...nothing but fire. He strode like the ground owed him for every second his boss bled on it.
"Secure the perimeter!" he barked.
Guns clicked. Footsteps scattered like war drums. Within seconds, the whole bypass was locked down like a military zone.
Starry didn't wait for a report.
He came straight to Me, eyes scanning his boss like a hawk. His voice dropped—calm, deadly. "You're hurt boss." Then his eyes went to the lady the boss holding.
Shan raised an eyebrow, smirking through the pain. "I've had worse."
Starry looked at Shan. "You said that five minutes ago. Stop copying boss."
I left out a soft chuckled despite the blood.
Starry turned to me. His tone shifted. Is that Dr. Solace you are holding?
I nodded.
Starry nodded back, civil but brief. "Thank you. I heard you saved our boss life.
Then, turning sharply, his voice dropped into a growl. "Now… who the hell had the audacity to ambush boss?"
No one answered. Even the shadows held their breath.
"I don't care if it was the devil's grandson or some overpaid thug from the underworld. We'll find them."
His fingers tapped the side of his comm.
"Activate Red Fang Protocol. No mercy. Track all sniper angles, map ballistic trajectories, check traffic cams and digital footprint in a 5-mile radius."
I said quietly, "You brought the entire Orchestra?"
Starry's jaw clenched. "Next time, I bring a warship."
One of the guards approached. "Sir. Helicopter's en route. Medical team's five minutes out."
Starry nodded once. "Good."
He looked at me, his boss, fury in eyes. Who dare assassinate his boss... But, behind his gaze...there was something
Loyalty. Guilt. Rage.
And the promise of retribution.
"Rest, boss. Let us handle the trash."
Then, without waiting, Starry turned toward the dark and raised a single hand.
"Black Orchestra, move. We will haunt down the whole city in silence tonight." No matter who the mastermind is...let no one escape the city gate.
Then I'll leave things here in you hand.
As your command boss, Starry Night responded.
---
The sound of rotor blades split through the night sky. The medical chopper touched down with precision on the bypass, kicking up dust and ash in a spiral storm. Spotlights bathed us in white as the doors slid open and the medical team rushed out...white coats, tactical medkits, and urgency in their stride.
"Mr. Moreaux!" one of the medics called. "We need to stop your bleeding..."
"Treat Shan first," I ordered. My voice was calm, but sharp enough to cut glass. "Then give me something quick. I'm not leaving without her."
They didn't argue. No one dared when I used that tone.
Two medics immediately crouched beside Shan, cleaning the blood from his head, wrapping his arm.
"Boss," Shan said through a wince. "I can still walk. Just dislocated and some minor scratches."
"Don't play the hero, Shan. You're still bleeding like a stuck pig," I snapped, though my voice softened by a hair.
Another medic approached me. "Sir, we have to get you stitched..."
"No time for that," I said, eyes never leaving Arno's pale face. "Quick bandage. No morphine. I need my head clear."
They did as I said, wrapping my arm fast and tight, enough to stop the bleeding but not enough to force me to sit down. I didn't flinch once.
I adjusted Arno's scarf tighter around my wound and carried her myself toward the helicopter, still unconscious in my arms. Not a single soul tried to stop me.
"This woman rides with me," I said, stepping into the chopper. "She doesn't leave my sight."
"Yes, Mr. Moreaux," came the chorus. Everyone moved like clockwork.
Shan was already strapped in the side bench with fluids hooked to his arm.Inside of the helicopter it smelled like antiseptic and steel. Clean, cold and efficient. I sat beside Arno, still holding her close, supporting her head on my shoulder.
"Vitals are stable," one of the medics said, checking Arno. "She passed out from stress and smoke inhalation. No major internal injuries, but she needs oxygen and rest. We'll monitor her closely in flight."
"Keep her oxygen steady," I said. "And if anything spikes, tell me before telling anyone else."
"Yes, sir."
The crew slammed the doors shut, and lifted the chopper with a sharp jolt.
Instead of leaning back I stayed upright, gaze fixed on the most precious woman in my arms.
Even unconscious, she looked beautiful.
Even pale, she was the most important presence in the cabin.
I looked down at her. "You better wake up soon, Sunbeam. If you leave me like this, I'll sue the stars."
Shan groaned faintly from the bench. "You sound like a bad poet, boss."
"I'll throw you out of this chopper."
The medic chuckled. Then silenced himself the moment I turned my head.
The city lights blurred below us as the helicopter sliced through the night, heading toward the one place where I knew she'd be safe...Miracle Tower, my private, elite medical fortress.
I didn't care if I was wounded.
I didn't care if my enemies were watching.
All I cared about was the woman unconscious in my arms.
And the fact that someone had tried to take her from me.
Someone would pay for that.
In blood.