Chapter 428

Evelyn gasped as Nathan rushed to her side.

She pressed her palm against the little girl's bleeding wound, her face ghostly pale. "Nathan, she got separated from her parents. We can't just abandon her here."

"I know." His jaw tightened. "Take her and find shelter."

"But what about you?" Evelyn grabbed his arm desperately as he stood. "There are too many of them! They're hunting you down—you can't just walk out there!"

She'd overheard the chilling threats in the crowd—these men were here to kill Nathan.

Nathan cupped her face, pressing a firm kiss to her forehead. His thumb brushed away an unshed tear. "Trust me, sweetheart. Now go."

Before she could protest, he vanished into the chaos.

The child in Evelyn's arms wailed in pain. She forced herself to focus, rocking the girl gently. "Shh, sweetie. I'll get you to safety, I promise."

As the sobs subsided, Evelyn cast one last frantic look toward where Nathan had disappeared. Gritting her teeth, she scooped up the child and sprinted toward the fleeing crowds.

Police sirens wailed in the distance. Hundreds of terrified visitors huddled in the amusement park's central plaza, relief washing over them at the sight of authorities.

Evelyn pushed through the throng, searching frantically. "She's hurt! Please, can someone help? She's lost her family!"

A young couple immediately took the child. "We've got her," the woman assured.

Evelyn turned back toward the park's entrance, but the man called after her, "Miss! It's a warzone in there!"

Her lips curved in a determined smile. "My husband's still inside."

Without hesitation, she plunged back into the nightmare.

The once-vibrant park now resembled a battleground. Gunfire echoed between the abandoned rides. Evelyn ducked behind an overturned ice cream cart, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

A body collapsed inches from her hiding spot. Blood pooled on the pavement. Her stomach lurched.

Then she spotted the fallen man's weapon.

Moving faster than she thought possible, Evelyn rolled forward and snatched the pistol. The metallic click of another gun's safety being disengaged froze her blood.

"Bitch!" a masked figure snarled, leveling his weapon at her head.

Evelyn slowly raised her hands, the stolen gun clattering to the ground. "I didn't shoot him," she said carefully. "I just needed protection."

Turning with deliberate slowness, she met her captor's eyes through his balaclava. A slow, seductive smile curved her lips as she shrugged off her jacket, revealing the thin tank top beneath. "But if you'd prefer... I can make it worth your while."

She pulled the band from her hair, letting the golden waves cascade over her shoulders. The man's grip on his weapon faltered ever so slightly.