Chapter 258

Allison's eyes were locked on the vehicle ahead, her brow furrowed in concentration. With a quick glance at the navigation system, she pointed to the map.

"We're running out of time," she said. "If they manage to slip through the suburbs and reach the coast, they'll board a ship. Once they're in international waters, finding them will be like trying to catch the wind in a net."

Her mind raced. Lorna was just a small child—innocent, with no enemies to speak of. This wasn't the work of the Lloyd family's usual adversaries. If it were, they would have harmed her in the lounge without hesitation; a child of her size wouldn't stand a chance against them. But instead, the kidnappers had gone to great lengths to get her out of the country. It was clear: they weren't just after Lorna. Their real target was Kellan; they aimed to toy with him, to break him slowly and painfully.

Allison's frown deepened. "I may not know what kind of vendetta they're holding against you, but they're not hiding their cards. Their objective is to make you feel the sting of losing Lorna, or worse, they'll use her as leverage against you."

Her voice was steady, but her eyes were sharp. "So, Mr. Lloyd, if we're going to beat them at their own game, you can't afford to lose your head now. That's exactly what they want."

"I know," he said, opening his eyes, his expression steadier now. His tone was cold, his resolve clear. "Their plans are crafty, but they're too sure of themselves. They think they've already won. What they've forgotten is what happens when they don't."

Allison's heart skipped a beat at his words. No, maybe they hadn't forgotten at all. Maybe they knew they wouldn't be walking away from this—alive or otherwise.

With a swift motion, she sent a message to Floyd: "Get here fast. Lorna's in serious danger!"

The night sky stretched dark and endless, with only a few stars piercing the inky blackness. After hours of relentless pursuit, they finally reached the coast. Seven cars surrounded the black sedan. The kidnappers were trapped, with nowhere left to run.

"You Lloyds really don't give up, do you?" the man in the peaked cap sneered, one arm clamped tightly around Lorna's neck as he edged toward the pier. "But let me give you a piece of advice: if you want the girl to make it out alive, don't try anything stupid! Now, send Kellan over!" he demanded. "Everyone else stays put!"

Kellan's expression darkened. He threw open the car door, but when Allison tried to step out, he pushed her firmly back inside.

"Ms. Clarke," he said, "you've already done more than enough by sticking with me this far. These people are seasoned killers. Their recklessness, their speed—they're more dangerous than you know. I can't let you get mixed up in this. Stay in the car and keep yourself safe."

Allison's frown deepened. "Wait a second…" His words sounded ridiculous, and she was about to get out of the car when, without warning, he handed her something cold and metallic—a silver gun, the same one he'd carried when they first crossed paths on that fateful night aboard the cruise ship. It was that very gun that had brought them together.

"If anything goes wrong, use this. Protect yourself. And don't look back. Drive away. Forget about the rest of us."

"Do you really think so little of me?"

"On the contrary," Kellan said, his gaze unwavering. "I know you're strong. Stronger than most. You have a way of surviving no matter what. That's what makes you different. Then why?" His voice was steady but laden with emotion. "You know I can't afford to lose you, too."