Chapter 32

I let out an exasperated sigh and ran a hand through my hair. "Look, Chase. I honestly don't have time for you right now. I would appreciate it if you just left me alone."

I was about to walk away, but he caught my wrist and stopped me.

"I won't let you walk away this time."

"You will," I huffed and tried to snatch my wrist from his hold.

He only tightened his grip, forcing me to stay in place. "Stop avoiding me already." He groaned in frustration. "Why do you keep avoiding me?"

"I am not avoiding you," I denied, biting the inside of my cheek.

"Yes, you are. Do you think I haven't noticed how you avoid making eye contact with me? Or how you always turn your head around or walk away every time I appear?" he asked, and I struggled to free my wrist. He continued, "I don't know what I did, but whatever it is, I'm sorry."

I stopped struggling at his words, frowning a bit and letting out a sigh. "You haven't done anything wrong. Look, Chase, it's better if we avoid any type of contact outside of training. Whoever is behind all this knows who you are, and it puts you under the same risk as me. If I pretend to not know you, they might keep you out of this."

"Amelia." He sighed. "I've been at risk ever since you fought off Gregory for me. There's no way for me to get out of this. What I said down there was an act of cowardice, but I will help you get out of this. I'll help all of you to get out of this."

I looked at him in the eye, staring straight into his brown orbs. His features softened visibly, and I sighed before looking away. "Chase, I—"

"I just need you to hear me out, please," he pleaded, and I nodded slowly. He took in a deep breath and looked at the ground. "I... know who is behind this."

My eyes widened at his statement, and I looked at him in utter shock. Even though he wasn't looking at me, I could feel the guilt radiating off him in big waves.

Was he joking with me now?

"Please, let me explain!" he exclaimed as I opened my mouth to say something.

I stood straight, squaring my shoulders defensively and glared at him.

"In the beginning, I purposely provoked that fight with Gregory, like I was instructed to. I did what they told me out of fear, since I didn't want them to hurt my mom. You were their only target, so far."

"Hold on, Chase. You can't be serious right now." I narrowed my eyes at him as he slowly let go of my wrist. "Are you telling me that you've been part of everything this entire time? Stop joking."

"I'm not..." he trailed off. "But you have to believe me when I tell you that it was only for a couple of days. I was so scared that I couldn't see what they had in store for you. I only knew their side of their story, so I wanted to listen to your side. Once you told me the truth, I forced my way out of them."

"This has got to be a joke, Brownie," I warned, shaking my head in disbelief and hurt. He looked at me straight in the eyes, and all I could see was regret and sorrow. When I saw no trace of joke, I felt the familiar pang of betrayal squeezing at my chest. "Why, Chase? Why would you fool me like that?"

"Because I was a coward!" he exclaimed, running his hands through his hair. "I wasn't expecting to get this close to you. Hell, I didn't even expect this whole self-defense thing! I swear, Amelia, I didn't want to be a part of any of their plans. Ever since I got out, I've been a target along with you."

I shook my head in disbelief at him, registering his word over my head. "This was all planned, wasn't it?" I asked, my voice barely over a whisper.

"If I must kneel and beg for your forgiveness, then I will. I don't want anything to happen to you," he whispered, and I could hear the regret in his voice. He looked at me with sorrowful eyes, and I had never seen him so vulnerable. I wanted to believe him, but the feeling of betrayal was too overwhelming.

"Why should I believe you?" I asked, taking a small step back. I didn't miss the flash of hurt that crossed his face as he reached out a hand toward me. "Don't you dare get any closer."

"Amelia, please," he pleaded, and I only took another step backward.

Before either of us could do anything, a big explosion resounded from inside the gym. My eyes widened at this and I rushed back inside the training room. Yelling was heard, and the smell of smoke filled my senses. I hurried down the steps to the shooting range to see everyone running around and prepping up.

"We've been found!" Kenneth yelled over the commotion and threw me a bulletproof vest.

I put it on quickly, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed Chase and the others doing the same. I noticed that there were more people than before, meaning that Wesley's men had already arrived.

The sounds of heavy footsteps were heard from upstairs, and everyone took their guns, loading them instantly. I looked at some gas masks that were thrown on a corner of the room, and an idea popped up in my head.

"Quick, put this on!" I yelled just as the sound of a door banging open filled our ears, and I handed everyone a mask. Taking hold of a gas grenade, I motioned for everyone to stand behind me. Just as the first enemy walked in, I threw the grenade and covered my ears while looking away. The first people that walked inside started coughing violently and dropped their guns. Unfortunately, that didn't stop the rest of them from sneaking in.

I pointed my gun at one of the enemies and pulled the trigger, watching as he staggered backward and fell to the ground. It all turned into a huge bloodbath in an instant, the sound of gunshots becoming deafening. I felt a sharp sting from my back, which knocked the air out of me for a minute before I quickly recovered. I turned around to face my enemy and scowled in anger as he pulled the trigger and hit my vest.

Stumbling, I winced in pain, but I charged at him nonetheless, making him drop his gun. We fought recklessly, each of us receiving punches and kicks everywhere. I managed to grab his gun from the floor, and without hesitation, I knocked him out with the magazine. I breathed heavily and slumped back against a wall, putting my hand over my vest, where the bullet was. I didn't have any time to rest, though, as a familiar shriek from the other side of the room grabbed my attention.

Danielle struggled against a man, and I could see the blood rolling down the side of her face behind her mask.

I quickly stood up and went to her aid, taking my mask off and throwing it aside. I jumped on the back of the guy, forcing him to put his attention on me. He grabbed my arm and walked backward, slamming me against a wall and making me groan. I instantly put him in a headlock and felt as he clawed at my hand. I hissed when his nails dug into my skin, but he soon stopped and fell forward lifelessly, taking me down with him

Danielle helped me stand up and I glanced around. There were only two of the enemy left, while most of Wesley's men were being treated by Lindsey by the far side of the room. Chase and Kenneth were fighting off the buffest of the two while Wesley fought off the other one.

"Go over there and get your wound checked. I honestly don't want to deal with you and a concussion," I grumbled out at Danielle, and she took her mask off.

"Thanks for helping me," she muttered, and I gave her a small shrug.

"I wouldn't want to have your death on my hands," I said, and she nodded slowly. She walked away, and I bit my lip to prevent myself from groaning in pain.

I could barely feel my arms due to various bruises, and my chest felt like it was on fire, thanks to the bullets I received. Another gunshot was heard, and I forced my attention to the fighting men. Wesley managed to kill the man he was fighting, and now he was panting on the floor. Kenneth, on the other hand, was knocked out cold, and Chase was fighting on his own. His clothes were full of blood and his eyes were wide in horror.

I forced my body forward and ran to his aid...I couldn't let him die.

My blood was pumping through my veins in adrenaline as I threw myself at the man and tackled him. I grabbed my butterfly knife and went to stab him in his arm, but he was quick to push me off. Luckily, I managed to not lose the hold on the knife, so I slashed it at him. He hissed in pain as the blade cut through the skin on his cheek, and I smirked in satisfaction. He scowled at me and punched my side, earning a small wince from me.

I rolled to the side before his feet could connect with my stomach, and quickly got on my feet. My body was screaming in protest of my actions, but I ignored it and glared at the man. I managed to block his punches and stab his shoulder, earning a beautiful yelp from his mouth.

Suddenly, his hand was around my throat, and I was being lifted in the air. I let go of the knife and clawed at his hands, finding it hard to breathe as he tightened his grip. Black dots started filling my vision, but one last gunshot filled the room, and I fell to the ground. Someone was by my side in an instant, and I opened my eyes to see Chase looking down at me with wide eyes. I was coughing violently, trying to regain my breath desperately.

"Amelia! Thank God, you're alright," he said hurriedly and helped me sit up, taking off my bulletproof vest. I massaged my throat and winced once I was able to breathe correctly again, then I looked around the room.

Blood was splattered everywhere, dead bodies were lying on the floor, and weapons were thrown everywhere. All of Bryce's men were dead, along with some of our own, making me frown.

I leaned against a wall for support and stood up with Chase's help, his eyes staring at me in concern. I grabbed a gun from the floor solemnly, looking at him and slowly raised the weapon. His eyes widened as I aimed at him, my breathing heavy and my eyes void of emotion.

"Tell us everything you know," I drawled out, my voice coming out hoarse.

"I—I already told you everything I know," he stuttered, taking a small step back.

I pulled the trigger.

"Do they still gather at the same bar?" I asked, and he placed a hand where the bullet struck him on his bulletproof vest.

"Y-Yes," he whispered.

"Why, Chase? Why did you quit?" I asked, all anger now gone. He looked at me with softened eyes and sighed. He opened his mouth to speak, but something from behind me caught his eye.

"Amelia!" he shouted and charged at me.

My eyes widened in shock and I dropped my gun once his arms wrapped around me and turned me over. The firing of a gun was heard, and Chase stumbled forward, forcing me to take a step back as he wheezed. Before my mind could process anything, his hands grabbed my face and his lips connected with mine in a desperate kiss.

I froze, not knowing what to do, and my heart sped up.

Chase was suddenly pulled away from me, and I gasped in shock, reaching out for him instinctively. I looked at the man I had knocked out earlier, and he had Chase trapped in a headlock. I was about to leap forward, but a blinding flash of light forced me to stop and cover my eyes.

Once I opened them... Chase was gone.

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[Edited: September 9th, 2020 by michh_44]

Now starts the real thing. Beware of Chase's and Amelia's first kiss! It wasn't under the best circumstances, but it still happened. How do you like cliffhangers? Mwahahaha, don't hate me just yet. Comment your thoughts on these chapter and click that star. Best regards xx