Chapter 103: The Sky That Burned
Frank reached out as if he could pull Theo back, as if one touch could soften the anger flowing through him.
His hand landed on Theo’s arm.
Theo reacted instantly.
He shoved Frank away so hard that Frank stumbled back three full steps, hitting the wall with his shoulder.
Theo turned in the sa move, shielding Danielle with his entire body. His arm curled around her waist, and his stance changed, sharp and ready like a sword drawn from a sheath.
"Do not touch ," Theo warned.
Frank steadied himself, raising both hands, and opened his palms. "I am not trying to fight you. But you need to listen. Whatever you think is happening, running blindly will make it worse."
Theo stepped forward, forcing Frank back with nothing but presence.
Danielle felt it too. Her fingers found the fabric of Theo’s sleeve without realising it, gripping him gently, grounding him.
Theo placed his hand over hers for half a second, he was really sending that silent ssage.
’Stay close. I have you.’
"I am done listening...I am done playing by the president’s rules. I am done trusting a man who sends us into danger without explanation."
Frank swallowed. "He would never put Danielle in danger."
Theo’s eyes turned harsh. "He already did."
The air beca unbearably tense, like the villa walls were leaning inward.
Before Frank could answer, the deep, heavy roar of helicopter blades thumped the air from outside.
Danielle’s breath gagged. "It is here."
Theo took her hand firmly. "Good. We leave now."
Frank followed them down the hall even though Theo clearly did not want him there.
When they stepped outside, wind from the descending helicopter blasted across the courtyard, sending palm leaves whipping in sharp arcs.
The helicopter glowed under the late sun, black and sleek, the emblem on its side belonging to Theo’s private security network.
Aiden had sent the best...he liked working with Aidan after he announced himself as soone who was actually alive again.
The pilot saw Theo and gave a thumbs up.
Theo exhaled. "Get in first," he told Danielle.
She nodded and climbed the tal step, gripping the side rail as the wind tossed her hair wildly. Theo lifted her by the waist and helped her inside.
Frank stood at the foot of the helicopter, shouting over the noise.
"Theo, stop! The president needs to talk to you before you leave. You can’t take her without permission!"
Theo leaned down..."Watch ."
Frank’s jaw tensed. "You are throwing everything away."
"Everything?" Theo laughed once, bitter. "I have nothing left except her."
He turned to climb inside.
And that was the mont the world splintered.
A sharp whistling cut the air, but not loud or dramatic.
It was a quick, clean and precise shot.
Theo froze just long enough to recognise the sound.
"Sniper!!!"
The bullet hit the helicopter’s back engine with terrifying accuracy.
A sudden explosion of sparks burst out, lighting the tal in a bright angry glow.
The helicopter lurched sideways.
The pilot scread sothing no one could hear under the noise.
Danielle’s hand shot out, grabbing Theo’s wrist.
Theo grabbed her back and yanked her out just as the helicopter tilted too far.
"Get down!" he shouted.
The second bullet ca faster.
It ripped through the top rotor. tal shattered like glass.
The helicopter spun violently, its tail hit the courtyard ground. The entire machine scread as if it was being torn apart.
Danielle fell to her knees. The hot shockwave of tal shards hit her face and arms.
Theo dropped over her, covering her with his entire body, pushing her head down into his chest.
Another explosion erupted as the fuel line caught fire. Flas shot high into the air, turning the sky orange.
Frank ran for cover behind a stone pillar.
Theo held Danielle so tight she could barely breathe.
The helicopter’s body collapsed onto its side with a final deafening crash. Smoke roared upward, thick and black.
Danielle coughed. "Theo... the pilot..."
Theo forced himself to look, but there was no moving figure inside or any silhouette escaping.
He exhaled slowly. "Gone."
Frank peeked from behind the pillar. "Theo! We need to get inside! Whoever fired that shot is still out there!"
Theo lifted Danielle and guided her toward the villa door. His rage behind it was unmistakable.
Danielle clung to him. "They knew we were leaving. They knew exactly when."
Theo’s jaw clenched. "Yes. Which ans soone told them."
Frank’s voice shook. "No one on this island knew except us."
Theo looked at him with a new coldness. "That does not make feel better."
As they reached the doorway, another shot rang out.
Theo pulled Danielle against the wall just in ti.
A bullet struck the stone pillar beside Frank, shattering it. Dust exploded across the courtyard.
Frank dropped to the ground, hands over his head. "There is more than one shooter!"
Theo looked at the treeline beyond the gates. Shadows moved really fast.
"No," he corrected. "Just one... Very good...And very patient."
Danielle’s voice trembled. "How do you know?"
Theo held her face gently. "Because he is not aiming to kill us yet. He is aiming to corner us."
Frank shouted, "But why? Why corner us on purpose?"
Theo looked toward the burning helicopter.
"Because they want us alive, which ans they want sothing from us."
Theo brushed soot off Danielle’s cheek. "We can’t stay," he hushed.
Danielle nodded. She knew he was right, but she wasn’t sure what was the situation between Theo and Frank.
However, Frank stumbled closer and he was breathing hard. "Theo... if you leave on foot, they will track you. If you stay, they will attack again."
Theo’s eyes sharpened. "Then we make them regret choosing the wrong night."
Frank stared at him. "Theo, you are acting like you want a war."
Theo gave him a slow, dangerous smile. "That depends on who sent the bullet."
Frank opened his mouth to argue again, but Theo cut him off.
"And before you say anything else," Theo added, "I will tell you this once."
He ran his thumb along Danielle’s jaw, possessively.
"I am not leaving her side. I do not care who tries to fire , threaten , or chase . I do not care what the president wants."
"I know that you crazy bastard!"
"Good!"
"Gaah!"
"Nooo!!!!!!"
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