?Chapter 828:


    In the rearview mirror, Grace’s figure shrank into the distance, swallowed by the sea of soldiers. But her screams—sharp and unrelenting—cut through the roar of the wind, echoing in my ears like daggers.


    My chest felt hollow, a gaping ache spreading as I pressed harder on the elerator. My thoughts spiraled into chaos, a storm I couldn’t quiet.


    Why? Why was Grace willing to put her life on the line for me? We’d barely exchanged a handful of words before today. Was it really all because of my mother’s kindness years ago?


    That debt was a crushing weight on my shoulders, one I wasn’t sure I could carry.


    Jett slumped against the passenger seat, his breaths shallow andbored. Even in his battered state, he managed to muster a few soft words. “We’ll get her back, Makenna. Once we regroup and have a solid n, we’ll return for her. Besides, Grace is more than capable; she might just pull off escaping on her own.”


    “I know, but…” My voice faltered, my resolve crumbling under the weight of guilt.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, taking a shaky breath to steady myself. When I opened them again, a fierce determination burned within me. My hands gripped the wheel tightly, and I turned to Jett, my voice steady and resolute. “No. I can’t just run and leave her there. I have to go back for Grace. Now.”


    Makenna’s POV:


    “But… going back now is ying with fire,” Jett muttered, his brows knitted together in concern. “Don’t do anything reckless.”


    I nced at him, determined, and replied, “If I leave Grace behind to save my own skin, I’ll never be able to live with myself.”


    Jett blinked, caught off guard. I smirked and quirked an eyebrow. “Jett, you wouldn’t want your Saint to be someone who runs scared at the first sign of danger, would you?”


    Staring at me for a moment, Jett let out a soft chuckle, the soundced with nostalgia. “You know,” he said, his voice tinged with a strange mix of relief and admiration, “you remind me so much of Josie.”


    ???????????? ???? ????????????: ?????????ν????????????


    “Then it’s settled. Let’s go save Grace,” I said firmly.


    Jett gave up trying to change my mind and nodded. “Alright. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it all the way. Let’s fight them tooth and nail.”


    “Deal!” Iughed, spinning the wheel to turn the car around.


    The tires squealed like they were protesting the sudden decision, the sound sharp and cutting. Just as we were about to make the turn, a group of figures materialized out of nowhere, blocking the road.


    I squinted, my heart skipping a beat. At the head of the group stood Antoni.


    My eyes widened in shock, my grip on the steering wheel tightening like a vice. Without a second thought, I pressed down on the elerator, ready to face whatever nightmare awaited.


    The engine roared like a beast unleashed, echoing the storm of fury building in my chest.


    But Antoni didn’t flinch. Instead, he raised a hand, and someone was dragged forward, shoved into view.


    I mmed on the brakes, my heart plummeting to my stomach.


    Jett bolted upright in the back seat, his eyes wide in disbelief. “No way. That’s—” He froze, his voice trembling. “That’s my roommate from the pce!”


    I recognized him too—the poor guy. When Jett had disguised himself as Martin, he had shared a room with that man. The man hade to us for help a few times when Martin was in deep trouble.


    I never imagined that someone I barely knew would end up being used by Antoni as a pawn to threaten me.


    .


    .


    .