On Her Daddy's Bed (Adeline and Luciano) novel Chapter 74

Author’s POV.

Alexia’s heart clenched violently as she rolled from the cold, blood-stained floor to her feet, her trembling hands reaching for Alex.

She cradled his face between her palms, her fingers stained red, shaking him with desperation.

“Alex!” she screamed his name, her voice thick with fear.

He groaned weakly, his body spasming as blood spilled from the corners of his lips.

It felt like a dagger had been thrust deep into Alexia’s chest. The pain that bloomed inside her was far greater than any physical wound. The ache of helplessness was unbearable—consuming. Her knees nearly gave out, but she held on, clinging to him like her soul depended on it.

The drivers of the blacked-out cars had stepped out and moved toward her, but before she could react, rough hands pulled her away from him.

“No! Don’t touch me! Don’t fucking touch me!” she screamed, thrashing against their grip.

Her voice cracked with panic. “Let me hold him!”

But Alex’s eyes were already sliding closed.

No, no, no.

Not a good sign.

Suddenly, a gunshot shattered the air again, sharp and deafening. Alexia jerked her head toward the sound.

It was Axel.

He stood a few feet away, the gun still raised, his expression cold and furious.

“Axel!” she called out in agony.

He turned at the sound of her voice, his features tightening.

“Alexia—get in the car!” he shouted, urgency thick in his tone.

But she refused to let anyone touch her again. She backed away, shaking her head violently, her legs unsteady but defiant.

Axel’s eyes burned as they followed the medics placing Alex into the car. Rage churned in his chest. He had seen Mr. Austin pull the trigger. And the bitter irony was almost unbearable—he knew exactly why Austin had done it.

He had mistaken Alex for Axel.

Their builds were too similar, their silhouettes too identical in the blur of adrenaline and shadows.

It was a mistake.

A fatal one.

Axel gritted his teeth, the image of Alex collapsing replaying behind his eyes like a slow-motion nightmare. But he didn’t run after Mr. Austin—not yet. Not while Alexia was breaking in front of him.

Still, he couldn’t let it go.

Axel lifted his gun again and fired, a clean shot that sent Mr. Austin crashing to the ground, his gun tumbling from his hand.

Axel gave the driver a sharp nod, silently urging him to get Alex to the hospital.

He then turned and walked toward the man writhing in pain, holding his bleeding arm on the pavement. Axel’s face was emotionless, his boots heavy with fury as he approached.

He planted his foot firmly on Mr. Austin’s chest, leaning down slightly.

“Now that I’ve found you,” Axel said in a low, venom-laced tone, “I’ll be back for you. You can’t run, Austin. You can’t hide. And when I return, it’ll be in a way you’ll never expect. You’re going to pay for every single thing you’ve done—but for now…”

He smirked coldly.

“…enjoy the little life you’ve got left.”

With those words, he turned and walked back to the car where Alexia waited, barely holding herself together.

She collapsed into his chest the moment he reached her, tears pouring from her eyes. Her voice cracked as she clutched his shirt.

“What if he doesn’t make it, Axel? What if something happens to him?”

Axel pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms strong and grounding.

“He can’t die, Alexia… he won’t die,” he said, his voice sharp with emotion. “He damn well better not die before me.”

His hands threaded into her hair as his jaw locked, the pain of it all hitting him like a tidal wave.

“The bullet went deep into his chest,” Alexia whispered, her voice breaking with fear.

Axel exhaled heavily, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Don’t cry… please, Alexia. I need you to stay strong for me. For him. He needs you to be strong.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify