Redeemed in Blood

Amelia woke from sleep when someone called her name.

Cristian had taken over a new venue that day and threw a masquerade party. He sent someone specially to wake Amelia and bring her to join the fun.

Amelia followed the person to the underground club. Her eyes landed immediately on the man in the center of the room. He wore a lion mask and sank deep into the sofa while swirling a glass of whiskey.

His powerful presence fixed on the woman dancing provocatively in front of him.

The woman wore a leopard mask, but Amelia recognized her instantly as Natalie.

A massive lion tattoo covered her back. The lion was Cristian's favorite symbol.

The woman turned suddenly. When their eyes met through the masks, a triumphant smile curved her lips.

Amelia realized then that Cristian had not sent for her. Natalie had.

She turned to leave, but several men in wolf masks blocked her path. They spoke crude words. Some reached out and groped her waist and arms.

Goosebumps rose all over her skin. She raised her hands to remove her mask, only to find her wrists tied.

The next second, someone forced her to face the stage.

Amelia's eyes widened.

Natalie straddled Cristian's lap. She snatched the glass from his hand, tilted her head back, and drained the whiskey. Then she fed it to him mouth to mouth.

Cristian's large hands gripped Natalie's waist hard. The two pressed tightly together in an instant.

Even though her heart had turned cold and she had decided to leave, tears still welled in Amelia's eyes.

She lifted her hand instinctively to wipe her face. To her surprise, the rope around her wrists had loosened at some point. The masked men had vanished.

She knew Natalie wanted her to witness this scene.

Amelia turned to go. Before leaving, she glanced back at Cristian one last time.

He caressed Natalie's face with one hand. A satisfied smile played on his lips. His eyes held deep contentment and relaxation.

Amelia knew that expression all too well. Every time he woke from a coma, he looked at her the same way.

"Amelia, I only feel at peace when I see you beside me."

She pulled her gaze away. A mocking smile touched her lips. She closed the club door and shut out the noise behind her completely.

Her phone rang. It was Ellen. "Amelia, I have good news. Come home quick."

A smile returned to Amelia's face. She stepped toward the opposite side of the street. Halfway across, blinding headlights flashed toward her.

In the brief moment she squinted, a runaway truck slammed into her and sent her flying.

When she woke again, Cristian's cold, hard face stared down at her.

Their eyes met. She saw the deep weariness in his gaze. She opened her mouth instinctively to ask if he was okay, but his icy voice cut her off. "Amelia, why couldn't you just stay home? Why do you keep creating trouble for me?"

Amelia tried to speak. Her throat burned with pain. No sound emerged.

Cristian frowned when she stayed silent. "I've arranged a private flight three days from now. It'll take you and Ellen to an island for a vacation first. Then to Floran. I bought a manor there."

He stepped forward and pulled Amelia into his arms. His voice softened. "Amelia, these years I've held back a lot for you. To give you the stable life you wanted, I've yielded again and again to those people outside. But they think I'm weak now. They keep provoking me. Amelia, for our future, go abroad and stay safe for a while. Once I deal with them, I'll come get you. Okay?"

His chin rubbed gently against the top of her head. Moments later, he sighed. "Amelia, I really can't bear to let you go."

Amelia said nothing.

Years ago, when Cristian confessed his love, he swore personally that he would gradually leave that world. He promised to work hard so they could live a normal life.

The proud man who ruled everything bent himself to ordinary life for her.

It touched Amelia deeply.

That was why she agreed.

But now she saw that world was his true battlefield.

Amelia listened to his strong heartbeat. She pulled a divorce agreement from her bag. "Cristian, sign it."