His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 72

**Chapter 72**

**Claire’s POV**

The city pulsed with life, the air thick with the familiar scent of wet asphalt mingling with the sharp tang of exhaust fumes. As Elijah and I sprinted down the narrow side street, the urgency of the moment propelled us forward like a fierce wind. The intruder had slipped through the pharmacy lot, but his footprints were unmistakably stamped into the wet cement—a ghostly reminder of his fleeting presence. I wrapped my jacket tighter around my body, feeling the rapid thud of my heart echoing Elijah’s long, powerful strides beside me.

“Elijah—wait!” I gasped, desperation threading through my voice, but he didn’t falter. “Where did he go?”

“He went that way,” Elijah replied, his tone a mix of calm and intensity. He cast a quick glance over his shoulder, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows with a predator’s focus. I swallowed hard, forcing my legs to move faster. He was fast, but a surge of determination coursed through me; we had him cornered, and I was resolute that we wouldn’t let him slip away.

As we neared a sharp corner, Elijah dropped low, sliding behind a dumpster with practiced ease. I followed suit, my knees scraping against the rough concrete, the gritty texture biting into my skin. Suddenly, the hooded figure of the intruder darted into the alleyway, completely unaware of our presence.

“There!” I whispered urgently, my voice barely breaking the silence.

Elijah surged forward, moving with a lethal grace that I had come to admire deeply. My stomach twisted with a mix of fear and exhilaration; he was a predator, and I was determined not to fall behind.

We rounded the corner, and there he was, pressed against the brick wall, his chest rising and falling rapidly with panic. In one swift motion, Elijah seized him by the collar, spinning him around to face the shadows. The man’s eyes widened in terror, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as if the cacophony of the city faded into an eerie silence.

“Who sent you?” Elijah demanded, his voice low and menacing, a growl that reverberated in the stillness.

“I… I don’t know!” the man stammered, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, mingling with the light drizzle. “I swear, I—”

Elijah’s grip tightened, his resolve unyielding. “You were paid. Name. Now.”

“I-I don’t know the name! I was just… told to follow her!” He pointed a trembling finger at me.

I froze, my heart plummeting into my stomach. Follow her? Me? A whirlwind of rage and fear collided within me. Elijah’s hand on the man’s collar was a terrifying reminder of the gravity of our situation.

Then, without warning, the thug lunged at me. I barely had time to react as my back slammed against the brick wall, adrenaline surging through my veins. Instinct kicked in, and my hands found a loose metal pole leaning against the wall. Without thinking, I swung it with all my might.

The pole struck him across the chest with a satisfying thud. He staggered back, cursing in disbelief, shock etched across his features. A flicker of approval crossed Elijah’s face before he lunged forward, pinning the man against the wall with fierce determination. The thug’s knees buckled, groaning under the weight of Elijah’s control. “Talk,” Elijah commanded, his voice cold and dangerous. “Who sent you?”

“They… they said… Naomi!” the man blurted out, panic rising in his voice. “She said… said Claire would be alone at the pharmacy… she didn’t know you’d be there!”

My chest constricted, the name hitting me like a punch to the gut. Naomi? My grip on the pole tightened, my knuckles turning white with fury. Relief that Elijah had intervened was quickly overshadowed by an overwhelming wave of anger and betrayal.

Elijah wasn’t done yet. He shook the thug lightly, his grip unyielding, a predator demanding answers. “You better start talking straight, or you won’t like what happens next.”

The man gasped, wheezing, desperation evident in his eyes. “I didn’t know… didn’t know he’d be there! I was just… supposed to follow her!”

I stepped closer, pole still in hand, ready for anything. Every muscle in me was taut, recalling Elijah’s training: leverage, stance, timing. My heart raced, but my hands remained steady. I could protect myself. I would.

Suddenly, the man made a reckless grab for me. I twisted away, using the pole to shove him back. He staggered, and I jabbed it again, just enough to throw him off balance. He fell backward with a grunt, and I could see the shock in Elijah’s eyes, quickly replaced by determination.

Elijah didn’t hesitate. He moved forward, pressing the man flat against the wall, hands gripping the collar with deadly precision. “Who told you to come after her? I want every detail.”

“I-Naomi!” the thug repeated, panic rising in his voice. “She paid me! She said you wouldn’t be there! I swear! I didn’t know!”

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