Chapter 271

When they reached a canyon pass—the perfect place for an ambush—they were instantly surrounded. Luckily, Sienna Hart’s people were with them; otherwise, there was no way they could have made it out alive today.

“Mr. Eaton, Umbrella Organization lives up to their name—these guys are all elite assassins. If you hadn’t–” Evan Ash trailed off as he caught Finn Eaton’s sharp glare.

“Damn it, these guys aren’t here to cut us off—they’re with Finn Eaton,” the middle-aged man muttered, clenching his fists in frustration. They were way too strong, and he still couldn’t figure out who they were.

According to solid intel, the Finn family’s people hadn’t even shown up yet. So how the hell did he manage to get these people here so fast!

“Sneak underwater. I’ve lost too many men tonight—I’m not letting that bastard off easy. Go, and if you get the chance, kill him.”

Sienna was watching the video Vivian Hart had just sent her. In the clip, Amber Hart had accidentally smeared cake all over Winifred Hart’s hospital bed, only to get kicked out. Now, Amber was standing outside, pouting and grumbling about how heartless Winifred was.

Winifred: [Sienna, I can finally get out of bed and walk around on my own now! When are you coming back? Need any help?]

Vivian: [Sienna, be careful out there. Reno’s helping me with the company, so I’ve got things under control. Don’t worry about us—come home soon, okay? I’ll be waiting for you.]

Amber: [Sienna, my SATs are coming up! When are you coming back? Those two keep picking on me—they won’t even let me eat, and Winifred even hit me! I miss you so much!]

Sienna replied to each of them, then messaged Reno Lynch, telling him to protect her sisters.

Finn caught the gentle warmth in her eyes and the slight curve of her lips. Is she texting someone special? he wondered.

He took a sip of water, trying not to let his mind wander too much.

There was a sudden series of knocks from a nearby crate. Sienna was instantly on alert—she grabbed her gun and moved toward the sound.

Finn locked eyes with her, and they both aimed their guns at the crate.

Just then, Thorn Noir poked his head out—only to find the dark muzzles of their guns aimed right at him. His face went pale with shock. “Hey, it’s me,” he blurted out.

Thorn was instantly relaxed when he saw Sienna. But the moment he turned and spotted Finn, his face darkened.

Sienna’s hand tightened into a fist. “What the hell are you doing here?”

She thought, annoyed, When did Thorn even sneak in? I didn’t notice at all. He just won’t leave me alone, always popping up everywhere.

Seeing it was Thorn, Finn lowered his gun, a barely noticeable flicker of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

“I just wanna go home with you. Don’t be mad. I was broke. That’s why I couldn’t buy a ticket,” Thorn said.

Sienna felt a vein pulsing at her temple. “Get lost!”

Just as Thorn was about to get closer to Sienna, he spotted someone lurking in the corner, gun aimed right at Finn. In a split second, he dashed straight toward Finn.

Without hesitation, Thorn threw himself in the way and took the bullet for him. Finn’s eyes went wide with disbelief. The shot landed just below Thorn’s heart.

Sienna’s pupils contracted sharply. She took the attacker down and rushed to Thorn. He can’t die. If he does, I’ll never be able to pay back the Noir family!

“Thorn, don’t talk. Finn, let’s get him to the infirmary,” she said, her tone tight with urgency.

There were medical teams on board, and Finn told them to get ready right away.

Thorn gripped her hand tightly, blood staining his blue shirt. He begged, “Please, promise me you won’t leave me all alone, okay?”

Finn knew this wasn’t the time to be jealous, but he just couldn’t stop those dirty, despicable thoughts from creeping in. For a second, he actually thought, If he were gone, I’d honestly feel glad.

He felt a wave of shame crash over him for even thinking that. He hated how ungrateful he was—the guy had just taken a bullet for him, after all.

One’s heart really is a mess, sometimes impossible to control.

“Don’t talk,” Sienna said urgently.

She was all he could see. Thorn clung to her hand, refusing to let go. Sienna was never one to meddle in other people’s business, but now, she was willing to risk everything.

Thorn felt jealous and bitter. He just wanted to be a little special to her—just like now, when she was scared he might die. Not because of who he was, but simply because she cared for him.

Let go? No way. Not unless I’m really dead. Ten years of obsession, ten years of love—it’s too deep, too strong, he thought.

This time, he’d saved the only person who was special and different in her life. Maybe now she’ll look at me, just for a moment, he admitted to himself. He knew he was shameless, but he couldn’t help it.

“Sienna, if I die, will you—” Thorn started, his voice weak.

“As long as I’m here, I won’t let you die. Thorn, I’m going to get you into surgery right now,” Sienna cut him off firmly.

As they pushed him into the operating room, Finn just stood outside the door, his hands covered in blood. It was as if that blood was looking down on him, sneering at his uselessness.

“No anesthesia. I want to look at you, Sienna. Just take the bullet out like this and let me remember this pain you gave me,” Thorn said, forcing a brave smile.

The doctor fell silent, didn’t know where this lunatic even came from.

Sienna shot him a frosty glare. “Shut your mouth.”

Thorn continued to make a ridiculous request. “Then can you give me a kiss? If you do, I’ll be good and let them do the surgery. Otherwise, I’ll just lie here and wait to die.”

Sienna’s eyes flashed with a cold, ruthless glint. She turned to the doctor, “Cuff him.”

The doctor immediately cuffed him to the bed.

“Mr. Eaton, are you alright?” Evan Ash asked carefully. Finn’s silence was a little unsettling.

“I’m fine. How’s the situation outside?”

“Everyone’s been taken care of. Lana says now that she’s given the word, this area is safe."

Meanwhile, at the city’s violin competition, Rowena Clare refused to go on stage. She slipped out of the venue alone with her violin, wandering the streets, not knowing where to go.

Her eyes were hollow. Seeing the busy traffic, she couldn’t help but feel it was all so ironic—she actually found herself jealous of these normal people, just living their ordinary lives.

It was right then that she realized—she wasn’t one of them anymore. Honestly, it was almost ridiculous.

She’d wandered all the way to the hospital. She stood outside the entrance for what felt like ages, until an old lady tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey, young lady, want some flowers?”