Bloodbound: The Alliance
Chapter 100 - 102

Chapter 100: Chapter 102

Botan POV

The pull of revenge and the fragile threads holding my resolve together unravel in the face of one unshakable priority: knowing she’s alive. Until then, the world will balance precariously on a tip.

The Vacherons arrive, Colton and his sons striding into the room with an air of effortless privilege, the kind ingrained through generations, oozing entitlement. The waiting room has mostly emptied now, long-abandoned by other visitors.

At last, a nurse enters. She exchanges quiet words with the Du Ponts, and the room shifts as both of her brothers burst into tears. Alden erupts into movement, clutching his sons, who tower only slightly over his hunched frame. Tears stream down his face, unchecked. Colton, on the other hand, breaks into a relieved grin, a congratulatory hand landing solidly on Alden’s back as they exchange a few quiet words. Without hesitation, they are escorted through the doors to see her.

I’m left anchored in place. Her exact condition is a mystery. But knowing she’s alive? That’s enough for now—it has to be.

Akio appears at my side, his presence a quiet intrusion. "She survived," he says, his voice low, his tone quizzical.

I glare at him, the words biting as they leave my lips. "Don’t act like you care."

His expression doesn’t falter. "What hurts you discomforts me," he replies softly. "I don’t like her—that hasn’t changed. But I didn’t want her dead. In fact, I warned her about this."

The statement slices through me like a jagged edge. My gaze snaps to his, sharp and accusing. "Warned her?"

Akio exhales, unshaken. "On the drive to the restaurant. But of course, just like you, she had to learn the truth the hard way."

Anger ignites like a spark to dry tinder, and before I can think, my hands grip his lapels, dragging him forward with enough force to erase the space between us. His calm cracks for just a second as his hands come up, shoving my arms off with a snap of irritation.

"Haru’s right, the only person you’re angry at is yourself. And you should be because it’s your presence in her life is what draws so many dangers."

"You forget Alden has made enemies from allies. We’re not the only ones he’s fucked over. Many with the resources to pull this off want him dead. But there is only one organisation that would be this daring."

"Yad Zmei," Akio says in accord. "We’ve always been on the knife edge with them, but we’ve steered clear of each other for years. They knew what doing this would mean."

"They came for her," I seethe, rage ramping up with intensity within. "I don’t know how they discovered the link between us. But there will be no war. Only eradication."

I pull away and Akio draws to my side seamlessly.

"Russia?"

"By the weekend, Yad Zmei will be in need of new leadership."

***

Kelsey POV

Avara rests against the hospital bed’s crisp white sheets, her face pale yet soft with a fragile smile. A clear oxygen tube loops beneath her nose. Luciano sits on one side of her bed, his hand wrapped around hers, protective and firm. Silas claims the opposite side, his grip no less resolute. The two chairs they occupy feel like declarations—silent vows that neither man will be moved from her side.

"There... there are no words for this," Alden chokes out, his voice trembling as tears escape unchecked. "No words."

Silas glances up sharply, his narrowed eyes locking on the Vacherons clustered at the room’s edge, their aloofness like a cold contradiction to the room’s tension. "You okay to talk, Avara? If you’re feeling suffocated, I can definitely get rid of some people," he says, his tone loaded with pointed venom.

The Vacherons meet his glare with cool indifference, the faintest curl of smugness, unbothered by the insult.

Avara stirs faintly, her head shaking with restrained effort. "It was... it was Mr. Vacheron’s physician who saved my life," she whispers, her voice brittle, each word deliberate and slow. "The surgeon said... second bullet... just a centimeter off... and I would’ve..." She swallows, her throat working to form the rest. "I would’ve died."

Colton steps closer, standing at the foot of her bed with a gravity that commands attention. "We’re just relieved you’re alive," he says, his voice softer now but steady.

Avara’s gaze drifts to her brothers, her expression taut with unspoken fears. "What... what happens now?"

Colton answers before anyone else can speak, his words cutting through the room like a decree. "When you’re strong enough, you’ll relocate to my estate. We’ll have the world’s best medical team overseeing your recovery. My home is reinforced with ballistic windows and equipped with a panic room. A fortress," he adds, his eyes sweeping over every Du Pont present. "Until this threat is identified and neutralized, everyone’s safety depends on being secured."

Luciano stiffens, his tone clipped. "That could take days. Weeks, even."

"Possibly," Colton admits with a curt nod, his resolve unwavering.

"I’d rather get shot at again," Silas says thoughtlessly and regrets it instantly as his face tightens with a remorseful wince before sparing Avara a repentant look.

She disregards with a subtle head shake and faltering smile.

Luciano’s voice is steady, though his words crackle with frustration. "What my brother means is that together, we’re combustible," he translates.

Silas scoffs, his patience snapping like a frayed wire. "I’m done mincing words," he spits. "Put me in another room with them, and they won’t need to worry about external threats anymore."

Vance steps forward, speaking for the first time with a cold, deliberate edge. "We’ve had enough of your outbursts," he declares. "If you haven’t noticed, we don’t like you either. We tolerate you because of Avara. That’s the only reason we extend protection. Without her, you’d be left to fend for yourselves."

Silas doesn’t miss a beat, his voice sharp as steel. "We’ve been fending for ourselves long before you showed up," he fires back. "And if I’m not mistaken, the last attack wasn’t on us—it was on your estate. Fuck that, we’d be safer without you."

Avara stirs weakly, tugging at Silas’s hand. Her frail gesture is enough to draw his attention, his anger softening into a humbled stillness as he looks at her.

"Please," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "Stop shouting."

Colton’s gaze hardens as he glares at Vance, a silent command that sends the man retreating to stand beside Landen.

Avara manages a faint smile as she looks at Colton. "Thank you for your hospitality," she says softly. He straightens slightly, as though bolstered by her words.

Her attention shifts to her father. "I think we should do what’s best for everyone."

Alden nods, his agreement resolute. "Your safety is my priority," he says, his voice firm as he turns to his sons. "Your safety, not your preferences. In light of that, we’ll accept the offer of protection until this matter is resolved." His gaze lands on me, his tone softening. "Kelsey, since you’re close to us, I believe it’s safer for you to join as well. If that’s alright with Colton."

Colton nods without hesitation. "She’s another daughter of Du Pont," he says warmly. "Of course, she’s welcome."

Avara’s voice, though weak, carries a quiet determination. "Do you mind?" she asks. "I want to speak to Kelsey alone."

Colton hesitates for only a moment before his expression falters, and he exits the room with his sons and Alden. Avara withdraws her hands from Landen and Silas, signaling for them to leave as well. Silas casts Luciano a sharp look, one laced with silent insistence, before they follow the others out.

When the door clicks shut, Avara opens her arms, and I move instinctively into her embrace, lowering my head gently to her chest. Her arms close around me, frail but comforting.

"You had us all wrecked," I murmur, the words trembling with residual fear. "For a moment there, we thought..."

She says nothing, and I lift my head to meet her gaze. There’s something in her eyes—something missing, a void that sends a ripple of unease through me.

"I’m surprised you sided with Colton," I say cautiously.

Her gaze darkens, and her voice drops, edged with an enigma. "I have my reasons," she murmurs. "Reasons for wanting to go—and for keeping them closer than ever before."