Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 79: The Tides Turn

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The Tides Turn

A shot ripped across the atmosphere.

That one instant—the piercing crack, the burst of light, the icy realization that it was too late—was all that remained of Lily’s universe.

Then, however, an unforeseen event occurred.

Ethan shifted.

Just as the gunman shot, he grunted and jerked his chair sideways. With a sharp ping, the bullet embedded itself in the concrete floor as it raced past him!

There was anarchy.

Alejandro was the first to react. One of Carlisle’s men slumped with a strangled grunt as a single gunshot rang out. Alejandro quickly reloaded and dove behind a container.

Adrenaline drove Lily’s body’s instinctive movements. Just as bullets tore through the air where she had been standing a moment before, she rolled behind a pile of wooden pallets. Her nose was filled with the pungent tang of anxiety mixed with the smell of explosives and dust.

Like a razor, Carlisle’s voice sliced through the confusion.

"Take them all out!" He let forth a shout.

As Lily assessed the situation, her heart pounded loudly in her ears. They were outnumbered. Carlisle had well-trained, vicious, and well-armed warriors. Ethan remained shackled and exposed.

They did, however, have one advantage.

She was underestimated by Carlisle.

Squeezing the trigger, Lily calmed her trembling palms and inhaled deeply.

The gunman was hit in the shoulder by her bullet. He let out a cry and staggered back, dropping his weapon to the floor. Alejandro fired again, seizing the opportunity. The man fell, motionless.

Lily continued. She moved quickly while staying low and navigating the confusion. Ethan was her only concern.

Bullets flew by her, bouncing off steel beams and splintering wood. They were pressed down, but Alejandro did his best to conceal her.

She arrived at Ethan in time to see a crate behind her splintered by another bullet, sending pieces of wood flying. She crouched next to him, fingers fumbling with the ropes that bound his wrists, her pulse roaring in her ears.

"Remain motionless," she stated in a tense, urgent voice.

The heavy bindings were cut by her knife.

Ethan’s arms fell loose and he rubbed his raw wrists, letting out a sharp exhale. "You took too long."

Lily grinned breathlessly and without humor. "You’re welcome."

Before she could break free from the chains securing his ankles, darkness came above them.

Carlisle.

He had his rifle pointed straight at Lily’s head.

Her blood became icy.

Beside her, Ethan stiffened, his muscles clenched in rage.

Carlisle grinned. "I must say, Lily, I didn’t think you would fight so hard. However, this is now over.

Lily breathed in quick, harsh gasps. She was frozen, despite the cries of every muscle in her body to move.

Carlisle’s finger gripped the trigger more tightly.

Then—

Ethan sprang forward.

Despite his wounds, he moved with lethal accuracy. He pushed Carlisle’s arm away as the gun exploded. The bullet missed and became embedded in the wall behind them.

Lily didn’t think twice. Carlisle staggered back after she kicked his knee.

Anger-fueled, Ethan swung his fist. Carlisle slipped and his head wrenched to the side, causing a violent blow.

He wasn’t finished, though.

Carlisle grunted and grabbed a concealed blade at his belt.

Lily’s intuition cried out to her.

She swung after grabbing a metal pipe off the ground.

It was a horrible impact.

With a crumple, Carlisle lost his grip on the knife. His face twisted in pain and anger as he grasped his ribs, struggling to breathe.

With her chest heaving and every nerve in her body on high alert, Lily towered over him.

With blood dripping from his lip, Carlisle stared up at her. He spat, "Do it." "Cease this."

Lily thought about it for a long, uncomfortable minute.

He deserved worse than death for everything he had done, including the suffering and devastation.

Killing him, however, would not change the past.

The lives he had taken would not be returned.

It wouldn’t restore her wholeness.

She lowered the pipe after taking a deep, steady breath.

"No," she answered icily. "I refuse to be like you."

Carlisle flinched his sneer for the first time.

Then a fresh sound pierced the quiet—

Sirens.

The cops.

Carlisle’s mouth tightened. He was aware that it was over.

Alejandro grinned as he stood over one of the final guys still alive. "Carlisle, it appears that your empire is collapsing."

Carlisle remained silent. Hatred blazed in his eyes, but he made no effort.

Officers rushed in with their firearms raised as the warehouse doors flew open.

"Drop your weapons!" yelled one of them.

With their hands raised, Alejandro and Lily moved away from Carlisle’s men, who had already started to give up.

Lily’s legs felt weak all of a sudden. It was done.

Ethan was observing her intently as she turned to face him. Something she couldn’t quite put her finger on filled his blue gaze.

"Are you alright?" she inquired quietly.

Ethan rubbed his wounded wrists and nodded. "I am now."

Something unsaid was flowing between them as their eyes met.

Lily swallowed hard, forcing back the flood of feelings that threatened to explode.

Later, there would be time for that.

They were winning now.

Things had changed.

Carlisle was done.

However, something twisted in Lily’s stomach as the officers dragged him away.

The conflict ended, but the battle?

She wasn’t certain.

A lot of things remained unsolved.

Ethan was secure. She was secure. However, Carlisle’s scars would not go away right away.

Furthermore, Lily doubted that she would ever be fully free.

As she observed Ethan’s facial bruises and body scars, she realized—

They wouldn’t be the same again.

Abruptly, Ethan grabbed her hand.

The air in the warehouse was frigid, but his fingers were warm.

She winced, then allowed herself to wait.

He whispered, "We’ll get through this."

Lily wished to trust him. She did.

However, some conflicts continued after the antagonist was eliminated.

Some conflicts persisted, being woven into the very essence of your identity.

Lily suspected that this was one of them.

But for the time being, she allowed Ethan’s touch to ground her.

That was enough for now.