He didn’t want to just shoot Aurora—he wanted to turn her into a bullet-riddled corpse right in front of Everett, make him feel what it was like to lose the person he cared about most.
After all, those brothers of his had fought and bled with him—they were like family.
In a flash, Everett yanked Aurora behind him, shielding her with his body as the bullet tore through his left shoulder. The pain drained the color from his face.
"Everett, are you insane?!" Aurora screamed, catching him as he staggered.
"Ohhh, how touching," Garrett sneered. "Looks like you’re the real deal. A true romantic, huh? Well, since you’re so in love, I’ll grant your wish—I’ll make sure you die for her. But not yet. First, I’ll break you. Then... I’ll let you watch while your woman goes from fighting me to begging for more... hahahaha!"
He laughed viciously, raising the gun again—this time aiming at Everett’s right shoulder.
He had already shot the left—now he wanted to destroy the right.
Garrett wasn’t just trying to kill Everett. He wanted to leave him broken and helpless. That kind of man, crippled and humiliated—Garrett figured death would be a mercy.
Aurora was shaking in fear. "Move! Everett, please move!" she screamed, tugging at him.
But Everett stood firm. No matter how hard she pushed, he wouldn’t budge.
Aurora threw herself in front of him. "What are you doing?! If you kill him, you’re finished! He’s the CEO of X&L!"
Garrett raised an eyebrow and smirked. "X&L? You mean the X&L? One of the Big Four in Y Country? You think I’m that stupid? Hah!"
Aurora stared at him in disbelief.
"The CEO of XL? Not for long," Garrett said smugly. "Everett’s about to die. And when he does, his cousin Cassian will take over."
Everett’s eyes darkened dangerously.
He knew it. There had to be someone on the inside helping Garrett. But he hadn’t expected it to be family—a traitor within his own house.
Cassian, his cousin, was already a VP at the company. Everett had thought that would be enough for him.
Cassian had never been favored by the Langston patriarch, so X&L had always been meant for Everett. And now, that resentment had turned into betrayal.
Everett grabbed Aurora and pulled her to the side with force. She struggled against him, terrified. Her eyes locked on the blood spreading across his black suit.
Even though it wasn’t gushing, it was enough to terrify her.
Her nose stung, eyes welling with tears. What kind of love must he feel—to take a bullet for her without hesitation, knowing full well it could kill him?
She’d never given him anything. It had all started from a misunderstanding—and one night that cost her everything.
But for many men, that kind of thing meant nothing.
They’d move on, chase someone new the moment the spark faded. Loyalty wasn’t in their vocabulary.
Yet Everett... he’d risked everything for her. For that one night. For her.
"Everett, please... don’t do this. You’re going to die!" Aurora choked out, tears breaking her voice.
Garrett laughed cruelly. "You’re both going to die. Just differently. You? Under me. Him? Under my bullets. Hahahaha!"
Aurora trembled, clutching Everett’s hand tightly.
Her lips were nearly bleeding from how hard she bit down, fear tightening her chest.
What could they do to survive?
There were four of them. All armed.
She and Everett had nothing. No weapons. No way to run. No chance of escape.
"Go ahead. Shoot," Everett said calmly, his eyes steady on Garrett—as if this was all routine.
Garrett scoffed and raised the gun once more, aiming it straight at him.
The three men on the side burst into smug laughter.
"Garrett, remember—don’t kill this woman after you’re done with her. Let us have our turn too!"
"Yeah, we risked our lives to follow you here. After all that, you better not let us down."
Garrett raised an eyebrow. "Fine. I’ll let you have her."
The three men laughed heartily, eyes locked on Aurora like predators circling prey.
Aurora was so desperate she actually started crying. She wanted to rush to protect Everett, but the man’s grip on her waist was too strong. She couldn’t move at all.
His left arm was still injured—wasn’t he worried about tearing the wound open using that much strength?
The thought made Aurora’s heart ache. She couldn’t bear to struggle and risk hurting him more. But if she didn’t, he’d get shot again.
"I’ve killed a lot of people," Garrett said, slowly pulling the trigger. "But you—you’re the first man I’ve met who’s this loyal. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you die with honor. A hero’s death."
Aurora’s eyes flew open wide.
Her blood felt like it froze. Her heart felt like it stopped.
The gunshot shattered through the air like a thunderclap.
Aurora’s head felt like it exploded. Her eardrums rang painfully.
But then—something yanked her down hard. She was forced to bend over and drop!
More gunshots—so many, her ears were screaming.
Aurora stared in shock. Everett had pushed her to the ground and was shielding her with his body.
She heard footsteps—chaotic, fast—and the groans of men in pain.
Then she saw Tobias’s worried face rush toward her. Relief crashed over her like a wave. She broke down in tears. Everett was lifted off her by Tobias.
"Young Master, are you okay? I’m sorry—we failed. We came too late!"
Tobias quickly helped Everett aside, and only then did Aurora see it—Garrett and the three men were sprawled on the ground. Dead.
It was the first time Aurora had seen a dead body.
She screamed—and passed out.
A nearby bodyguard caught her just before she hit the ground.
Everett had only been shot in the left shoulder. He stared coldly at the guard.
"Put her in the car. Now," he ordered sharply.
The bodyguard obeyed, placing Aurora in the back seat.
"Don’t touch her too much. She’ll wake up soon." Everett’s voice was icy—he hated other men touching his woman.
"Young Master, you’re hurt again!" Tobias said grimly, looking at the bloody wound on Everett’s shoulder.
Everett let out a long breath.
He turned, got in the car, and sat in the back. He motioned for Tobias to sit Aurora up and fasten her seatbelt.
"Tobias," he said darkly, "Cassian’s made his move. He’s contacted all the shareholders. They’re having a meeting right now at the office, saying you went missing and that they’re doing everything to ’rescue’ you. But our people aren’t allowed inside..."
Tobias lowered his voice, uncertain.
Everett’s face turned grim.
"Don’t announce that I’ve been found. Not yet. I’ll deal with him once I’m home."
His eyes were filled with rage.
They were born of the same blood—how had it come to this?
But if Cassian had gone this far, there was no turning back. If Everett didn’t stop him now, he’d end up dead without even knowing how it happened.
Keeping a ticking time bomb around was suicide. Yes, getting rid of Cassian would shake X&L Group—but it was still better than dying.
Money can be earned again. A life can’t.
"Yes, Young Master," Tobias replied quietly.
Everett looked at Aurora beside him. Her face was pale, brows tightly furrowed. Everything that had just happened... it must’ve shaken her deeply.
But he was still here. And he could be by her side a little longer.
And that... that felt good.