Chapter 6 - The Siege of Black Mountain
The quiet after Savannah’s departure was brief.
By 6:00 PM, a violent autumn storm rolled over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lightning flickered across the dark sky, and thunder rumbled through the valley like heavy artillery.
Inside the antique shop, Declan had reinforced the perimeter. He wanted to airlift Amelia back to his private estate in Lake Geneva, Illinois, immediately, but the storm had grounded all regional aviation, leaving them trapped in Black Mountain until morning.
Upstairs, Amelia sat on the bed while Declan knelt in front of her, applying a warm towel to her swollen ankles. His large, powerful hands were unbelievably gentle as he massaged her feet.
"You were incredible today," Declan murmured, looking up at her with unfiltered admiration. "The way you handled Savannah... I’ve never seen anyone dismantle a Calloway with such grace."
Amelia smiled softly, reaching down to run her fingers through his thick, dark hair. "I learned from the best. I watched how you handle people who think they can intimidate you."
Declan leaned up, pressing a warm, lingering kiss against her lips. "I love you, Amelia. I should have told you that every single day in Chicago. I should have said it before you ever felt the need to run."
Amelia’s heart swelled with a deep, radiant warmth. "I love you too, Declan. I never stopped."
Suddenly, the lights in the apartment flickered twice and went out completely, plunging the room into darkness.
Downstairs, a loud GLASS SHATTERING echoed through the floorboards, followed instantly by the muffled sound of suppressed gunfire.
Declan’s reaction was instantaneous.
In a fraction of a second, he pulled Amelia off the bed, pulling her behind his broad frame, sheltering her in the corner behind the heavy mahogany wardrobe. He pulled a compact 9mm sidearm from his shoulder holster, his eyes turning into terrifying black fire.
"Stay down!" Declan commanded in a low, fierce whisper. "Don't move from this corner!"
"Declan!" she gasped, clutching his arm.
"Elias Calloway knew he was finished," Declan hissed, his jaw clenched tight. "He sent his desperate enforcers to take you before the federal agents could process his arrest. They want leverage to negotiate a plea deal."
The door to the apartment was kicked open with a deafening CRACK.
Two broad-shouldered men dressed in tactical gear burst into the room, their weapons raised.
Declan didn't hesitate. He stepped out from behind the wardrobe, firing three precise rounds through the darkness. The loud report of his weapon echoed off the slanted ceiling.
The first attacker collapsed instantly. The second managed to fire a wild spray of bullets into the room, splintering the wooden door frame, before Declan’s next shot neutralized him.
Outside in the hallway, Gavin Roarke’s heavy voice shouted over the radio. "Upper floor secure! Team B, sweep the rear alley!"
Declan lowered his weapon, his chest heaving, his dark eyes frantically searching the dark corner. "Amelia!"
He rushed over, dropping to his knees beside her.
Amelia was curled on the floor, her hands tightly protecting her belly, shaking violently with adrenaline, but completely unhurt.
"I'm okay," she choked out, looking up at him through tears. "I'm okay! The baby is okay!"
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Declan pulled her into his chest with a desperate, crushing embrace, burying his face in her hair, his entire body trembling with the horror of what might have happened.
"It's over," Declan breathed, his voice breaking as sirens began to wail in the distance, cutting through the mountain storm. "It's over, sweetheart. They will never touch you again."
