Chapter 18

Those kidnappers deserved far worse than what they got. That same thought seemed to hit both Elias and Emilia all at once.

Elias couldn't shake the feeling that death was too kind for the terror those men had unleashed on her.

For Emilia, the anger ran even deeper. With all the pain they'd caused and the lives they'd destroyed through their crimes, a quick end was nowhere near enough punishment.

Elias offered his hand and helped her to her feet,moving with a calm patience.

Watching from the side, Wilbur could hardly believe what he was seeing. Of all people, he knew just what an extreme clean freak Elias was. If anyone so much as bumped into Elias by accident, he would change into fresh clothes without a word. Touching someone willingly? That was unheard of. Elias made a habit of keeping everyone at arm's length, rarely letting even trusted friends close. Yet here he was, letting a complete stranger grasp his hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

If even Elias could do something so out of character,what else was possible?

Wilbur found himself staring at Emilia, his mind racing with questions.

What was it about her that made Elias throw all his rules aside? He'd never seen Elias take anyone's side like that at the track-and now this.

Wilbur couldn't ignore the strange tension building between the two. Everything about Elias screamed uncharacteristic behavior.

"I really appreciate you coming for me. Thank you."Emilia turned to both men, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Instead of responding, Elias tightened his jaw and let go of her hand, an odd wave of irritation rising in his chest. The air around him seemed to grow heavier as his mood shifted, shadows deepening in his eyes.

Emilia picked up on his sudden chill and awkwardly pulled her hand away, confusion flickering across her face.

People always whispered that Elias was impossible to read, and maybe those rumors weren't so far off.

"If you ever want to repay this favor, please think of us first when you decide to cash in the favor that Asclepius owes you, alright?" said Wilbur, eager to.get a word in.

"Wilbur." Elias shot him a cold look.

Wilbur quickly tried to cover for himself. "I just want your leg to get better, that's all. And it's not like I'm wrong,is it?"

Elias turned back to Emilia, his eyes losing none of their sharpness. "Don't let this weigh on you. You owe me nothing."

"Thank you, Mr. Dixon. If I ever let go of that opportunity, you'll be the first person I contact," Emilia said,her voice steady.

Wilbur's face lit up. "That's great news! You have no idea how happy that makes me."

Meanwhile, Elias stayed stoic, his expression unreadable.

His tone turned cold. "Where can we take you? Give me the address."

Emilia replied softly, "I don't have my own place right now. I'm staying with my friend.Just drop me there."

Elias's eyes flicked to Sloane, cold and sharp. "You mean her?"

"That's right," Emilia answered.

Silence filled the car as they drove. Emilia sat next to Elias in the back, both of them staring straight ahead.

She angled her body slightly toward the window,a small movement that Elias picked up on right away.His brow tightened. "Do I make you nervous?" Elias asked without thinking.

Emilia turned toward him, her brows drawing together. "Not at all."

He waited a moment, then spoke again, his voice quieter. "Were you frightened back there?"

"Maybe a bit..." Emilia hesitated, then nodded a little.

As the head of Inferno, she was no stranger to violence and had seen far worse than what happened tonight. Still, she had to pretend in Elias' presence.Her true identity was a secret she guarded fiercely,knowing far too many adversaries waited for any sign of weakness.

The instant Elias moved toward her, Emilia's instincts kicked in, and she silently braced herself to strike if he got too close.