Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 640

In the blink of an eye, they were surrounded. The men who’d been chasing them had finally caught up.

Carter looked them over, a mocking smile twisting on his lips. “You two really made us work for it. A guy with a bullet wound and a blind woman, running for a whole day and night? Gotta say, I’m almost impressed.”

Madeline let out a shaky breath. They were trapped now, no way out.

“The game’s over,” Carter snapped. His voice was sharp and mean. “You tried to run, but you still ended up right where we want you.”

She leaned a little heavier against a tree, struggling to stay upright. That last fall had left her aching everywhere, but she forced herself not to show it.

“So what now? You caught us. Are you really going to kill us?” Madeline kept her tone calm, but her knuckles turned white as she gripped the tree.

“You think I won’t?” Carter’s anger simmered, his patience worn thin from chasing them and getting chewed out by Claire. Now that they were caught, he looked like he could barely hold back his satisfaction.

“Maybe you should check with your boss first,” Madeline said. “Would she really let you kill me?”

Carter paused. He remembered what Claire had said. She wanted Madeline alive, at least for now.

His face twitched before he forced a cruel grin. “Maybe I can’t kill you yet. But once my boss takes over the Ballard family, you won’t be so lucky.”

Claire’s plan echoed in his mind. She’d make herself the head of the family by getting rid of Shelly, and by then, any threats—including that incriminating video—wouldn’t matter. Christian would back her, she’d have it all, and everyone following her knew it.

Carter’s voice dropped into a sneer. “The boss told me not to kill you, but she never said I can’t have a little fun. You made me search these damn woods all night. Time for payback.”

He slid a knife out and spun it slowly in his palm, the blade catching the light.

Luke stepped in front of Madeline, his body tense, his voice cold as ice. “If you want her, you’ll have to get through me first.”

Carter let out a low laugh. “Almost forgot about you, kid. She’s off limits, but no one said a thing about you.” He flicked his hand toward his men. “Take him out.”

He jerked his knife back, eyes narrowing as he realized Luke’s weak spot—Madeline. Barking new orders, he had every man target her. Luke twisted and fought, trying to shield her and fend them off, but there were too many. Madeline could hear the blades tearing into flesh, the grunts of pain, and her worry only grew.

“Luke, talk to me. Are you alright?” She fought to keep her fear out of her voice.

“I’m fine.” Luke’s reply was firm, but after he kicked away another attacker, his legs buckled. He sank to one knee, hand pressed against the dirt.

Madeline stumbled toward the sound, hand searching until she found his head. Her fingers, trembling, ran down his side and came away sticky and warm—covered in blood.

It was all his—Luke’s blood.

Carter spat on the ground, switching from his knife to his gun. He aimed straight at Madeline’s leg.

“Let’s see who’s going to protect you now,” he said, his voice dripping with hate.