A Ride Through the Night
The engine roared to life, slicing through the quiet street like thunder.
Marcus drove fast, cold air hitting his face, his thoughts sharper than the wind. He dialed the only person he trusted without hesitation—Ethan Cole.
Ethan answered on the first ring.
“You’re moving fast. What happened?”
“Lily. Something’s wrong.”
Silence.
Then—
“I’m on my way.”
Marcus reached the small house in under five minutes. The porch light flickered. The front door was unlocked.
That alone told him enough.
He stepped inside, his voice low.
“Lily? It’s me.”
A faint sound came from the hallway.
The closet door creaked open just slightly.
Two tear-filled eyes looked up at him.
“You came…”
His throat tightened.
“I said I would.”
When he saw her arm, his jaw clenched.
It was swollen, held tightly against her chest, her small fingers gripping her shirt as if trying to hold back the pain. A faint mark showed on her cheek—not loud or dramatic, but enough to tell the story.
Marcus dropped to one knee, his hands suddenly careful, almost uncertain.
“Can I pick you up?”
She nodded, clutching his vest with her good hand.
He lifted her as if she weighed nothing.
“Is it going to hurt?”
“A little,” he said gently. “But I’ve got you.”
“You won’t leave?”
“Not tonight. Not ever if you need me.”
Ethan pulled up just as Marcus stepped outside.
One look at Lily—and Ethan’s expression hardened.
“Get in. I’ll drive.”
