?Chapter 250:


    Scrambling forward, he threw out a hand as he shouted, “Put her down! Now!”


    While holding Maia close, Chris felt the shuddering in her fragile frame, every tremor fueling the storm brewing inside him.


    A cold fury stirred under his skin, hardening his expression into something lethal.


    He stopped, then tilted his head just enough to cast a cold nce over his shoulder.


    The sheer force of that nce pinned Vince where he stood.


    Chris’ stare was horrifying, something Vince had never encountered before.


    It was the first moment in his life he hade face-to-face with such mercilessness.


    Chris’ frigid eyes carried a chilling desire to kill.


    It was a look that radiated absolute authority and hatred.


    The pressure of it was so suffocating that Vince struggled to draw in a breath.


    His legs turned unbearably stiff, and he found himself rooted to the spot. His throat tightened so badly that he could not force out a single sound.


    A fierce wave of panic surged through Vince’s chest, and a thin sheen of cold sweat gathered on his forehead. Who was this man really? But before Vince could fully catch his breath and gather his wits, Chris had already vanished, carrying Maia in his arms.


    Chris strode out of the Nexus Collective with Maia cradled securely in his arms.


    The streets outside were deserted, and the cold wind howled, stretching his shadow long and dark beneath the flickering streetlights. Resting her head against his shoulder, Maia tucked herself closer to him, thest of her trembling slipping away.


    gα?ησν????s??om has it all


    A strange calm washed over her, so gentle and unexpected that it left her almost weightless.


    Still, a question lingered in her mind, gnawing at the fragile peace. Why had Chrise for her?


    Her thoughts barely had time to form before they were swallowed by the dizzying haze building inside her, each second pulling her deeper under.


    She tilted her head up, stealing a look at him.


    The angles of his face stood out sharply against the night, and even the firm line of his mouth seemed impossibly maic.


    Without warning, a feverish heat bloomed in her chest, wild and fierce. An untamed urge stirred inside her, reckless and raw, coaxing her to move closer, to steal the coolness from his skin, to touch him without restraint.


    A ripple of heat rolled through Chris as well.


    He nced down at her, his expression tightening.


    Her flushed cheeks and parted lips set off rms in his mind.


    She was burning up, her breathing in fevered bursts.


    With careful urgency, Chris tightened his grip around her and managed to swing the car door open, settling her inside before climbing in after her, steadying her when she swayed.


    “Go. Head straight back to the apartment,” said Chris, his voice low and edged withmand.


    Without hesitation, Maxwell threw the car into gear. He caught a glimpse of the backseat through the rearview mirror but kept his mouth shut tight.


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