Chapter 625

Rex had been entrenched in Vistapeak City for years. The forces under his direct command were more than enough to handle this cleanly and quietly, without risking the Wilkinson family's reputation-or Laurel's political career.

With Rowan's green light, Rex didn't even need to mobilize his own men. It made things infinitely easier.

Rowan shot a glance at lan Murphy, signaling him to stay behind and assist Rex with the cleanup. Evan Murphy immediately fell into step behind Rowan to escort them out. Rowan truly was treating Finn's territory like a revolving door.

Finn's eyes narrowed dangerously. Just as Rowan was about to step through the main entrance, Finn's voice rang out. "Stop right there."

Rowan ignored him.

A second later, Finn let out a dark chuckle and snapped his fingers. "Take one more step, and I can't guarantee you and the baby won't end up dead."

Rowan froze. The muscles in his back coiled tightly as he whirled around, physically shielding Elissa from the tiny red laser dot now hovering over them.

Before Elissa could even process what was happening, she saw Laurel, Rex, and Frank tense as if preparing for war.

Confused, she tried to turn her head, but Rowan clamped her tightly against his chest. "Don't look back."

"Don't turn around!" Laurel ordered at the exact same moment.

It was the first time Elissa had ever seen such naked panic on either of their faces.

Finn looked absolutely thrilled by the chaos. He clapped his hands together slowly. "Who would have thought? The notoriously ruthless Mr. Murphy, willing to throw his own life away for a woman. What's the saying? Rich men and their bleeding hearts. guess it's true after all."

Elissa finally understood. Her blood ran completely cold. Rowan had turned around to use his own body as a human shield against a sniper rifle.

Finn hadn't just kidnapped her; he had set a lethal trap. With a sniper perched outside, it didn't matter if she had taken down Specs. The outcome of tonight was always going to be the same.

She struggled against Rowan's grip, trying to slide to the floor. "Rowan, put me—"

Rowan didn't budge an inch. His voice was terrifyingly calm. "Do you really think if a bullet hits you, he's going to just let me walk away?"

Of course he wouldn't. Finn had orchestrated this entire nightmare specifically for Rowan.

Rex ground his teeth, his voice lashing out. "Let them go. Whatever you want, I'll negotiate with you."

Elissa was deathly pale. She was clearly reaching her physical limit. If this dragged on much longer, she could lose the baby.

Frank knew Elissa well; she was never one to be fragile or dramatic. If she wasn't in severe physical distress, she never would have let Rowan carry her down the stairs. Before Frank could speak, Finn laughed again.

"I told you from the very beginning. I want Rowan's life."

"Then let her leave," Rowan replied coolly, not a trace of panic in his voice. "I will

stay right here. You can do whatever you want with me."

He offered himself up, but Finn

wasn't stupid enough to believe it.

Finn knew perfectly well that without Elissa tying him down, Rowan would immediately in the script, and Finn

Would be the one getting

slaughtered.

He wasn't falling for it. "Mr. Murphy, when you stand at the top for too long, do you

just assume everyone else is a complete idiot?"

"The sniper outside. Sent by Orion Stone, right? Rowan cut him off abruptly. Catching the flash of

genuine shock in Finn's eyes, honet

pressed on. "He didn't know about your little stunt tonight beforehand, did he? But now that things have gone to hell, he had no choice but to send someone to clean up your mess."

Finn quickly masked his shock and played dumb. "What kind of riddles are you speaking, Mr. Murphy? Who is Orion Stone? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"That sniper rifle isn't here to kill me.

And it certainly isn't here to kill

Elissa." Rowan ignored the denial, speaking with absolute clarity. "Finn,

you know better than do. That rifle isuust here to make sure you get out alive." .