Twenty minutes earlier…

Tim and Ryan arrived at the abandoned warehouse, parking their car on a side trail off the main road. They met up with the gang leader, who was waiting for them in the cover of the trees.

“We scouted the area,” the gang leader said quietly. “They’ve got twelve men in total outside. Inside, it’s just one man and the woman, Stacey. Miss Lily is with them.”

Tim nodded. “Good work. Stick to the plan. Take your men and subdue everyone outside. Ryan and I will handle the warehouse.”

Ryan, standing beside him, agreed. “I’ll take the back entrance while you go in from the front. If Stacey tries to escape, I’ll cut her off.”

“Only expose yourself if absolutely necessary. I’ll take care of the man inside. If things get messy, capture Stacey,” Tim instructed, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him.

Ryan nodded again. “Understood. Let’s get this over with before the police arrive to clean it up.”

They moved swiftly, blending into the darkness as they advanced through the woods. Tim’s heart pounded in his chest, but his mind remained laser-focused. His gut clenched at the thought of what Stacey might be planning for Lily.

They waited for what felt like an eternity before a sharp whistle pierced the air—the signal from the gang leader. The men outside were handled.

Tim whispered to Ryan, “It’s time. Let’s go.”

Together, they split up, heading in opposite directions. Tim crept to the front of the building, peering through a broken window. Inside, he saw Lily, chained to the wall, bruised but alive. A man was walking toward her, and behind him, Stacey laughed cruelly.

Tim’s blood boiled. He gripped his gun tightly and burst through the door. “Stop! Don’t you dare touch her!”

Stacey spun around, shock plastered on her face. The man stopped in his tracks, raising his hands in the air as Tim aimed his gun directly at him.

Feigning innocence, Stacey said, “Tim, what are you doing here? It’s not what it looks like.”

“Oh really?” Tim’s voice was icy. “Then what is it?”

“I found out this man kidnapped Lily,” Stacey continued, her voice sickly sweet. “I was trying to negotiate with him to get her back.”

Lily, her voice weak but defiant, scoffed. “Is that what you were doing? Don’t make me laugh.”

Tim’s eyes softened briefly as he looked at Lily. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sore, but I’ll survive,” she replied. “Don’t believe her. Stacey planned this whole thing. She wanted him to rape me, then poison me.”

Tim’s expression darkened. His voice was low with rage as he faced Stacey. “What the hell is wrong with you? What made you think I’d ever want you after killing the woman I love?”

Stacey’s calm facade crumbled. “You don’t love her!” she screamed. “What we had was love. You’re just confused. You’ve known her for so long, you’ve mistaken it for something more than friendship.”

“No, Stacey,” Tim spat, his voice rising. “What I feel for Lily is real love. And what I feel for you? Pure disgust. I never loved you.”

Tears filled Stacey’s eyes as she shook her head. “That can’t be true.”

“It is true,” Tim said, his voice cold. “Now, let her go.”

Stacey's eyes hardened, and she leaned toward the man standing beside Lily. “I’ll distract him,” she whispered. “You pour the poison down her throat. I’ll pay you extra.”

The man nodded, and Stacey began to inch closer to Tim. “Let me talk to you, Tim. We can figure this out,” she cooed.

“Stay where you are!” Tim warned, raising his gun. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.”

Stacey, undeterred, pulled a knife from her purse. “You’ll have to fight me for her!” she yelled, charging toward him.

Tim fired, the bullet hitting Stacey in the shoulder. She fell to the ground, clutching her shoulder as blood seeped through her fingers. “You shot me,” she whimpered, her voice filled with disbelief. “You actually shot me.”

As Stacey collapsed, Tim’s attention snapped to the man crouched beside Lily. He held a black vial in one hand and Lily’s face in the other, trying to force the poison into her mouth.

“No!” Lily screamed, thrashing against the chains, trying to keep her mouth shut.

Ryan rushed in from behind, knocking the vial from the man’s hand and punching him square in the face. The man retaliated, hitting Ryan hard and sending him to the ground. Just as he was about to deliver another blow, Tim stepped in, knocking him out cold.

Ryan lay on the floor, panting. “Thanks for saving my ass,” he muttered. “Is Lily okay?”

“She’s fine,” Tim replied, already moving toward her. He quickly unchained her wrists, his hands shaking slightly as he checked her over. “Lily, are you hurt? Did they—?”

“I’m okay,” she assured him, her voice trembling. “You got here in time.”

Tim pulled her into his arms, his heart hammering with relief. “Thank God,” he whispered, holding her close. The warmth of his embrace washed over her, calming her trembling body.

But the danger wasn’t over. Stacey, bleeding and furious, had managed to crawl to her knife. Clutching it in her good hand, she staggered to her feet, aiming the blade at Tim’s back. Just as she lunged, a loud bang echoed through the warehouse.

“Tim, look out!” Ryan shouted, but the gunshot had already sounded.

Police officers stormed into the warehouse, shouting commands as Stacey crumpled to the floor, lifeless. They quickly took control of the situation, arresting the remaining man and covering Stacey’s body with a sheet.

“Sir, are you and the young lady okay?” one of the officers asked Tim.

“We’re fine now,” Tim replied, his voice hoarse. “We’ll come with you to the station to make a statement.”

Lily, still clinging to him, nodded. She felt numb, but relief washed over her. Stacey was gone. The nightmare was over.

Later, after giving their statements at the police station, Tim wrapped his arm around Lily’s shoulders as they walked to his car.

“Let’s go home,” he said softly, brushing a thumb across her bruised wrists. “I’ll help bandage these wounds.”

Lily leaned into him, her heart full of gratitude and love. “I need a warm bath,” she whispered, smiling up at him.

Tim smirked, his eyes filled with warmth. “I think I can help with that.”

Tim held Lily close, brushing a tear from her cheek. "I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Ever."

As the sun began to set, casting the warehouse in a fiery glow, Tim and Lily stood together, their love stronger than ever. No matter what darkness came their way, they would face it together.