Chapter 274

Evelyn Sinclair's heart leaped with joy when she recognized the voices. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Her brother had come for her!

Just moments ago, she had been certain she would die on this cursed island. The weight of despair had pressed down on her like a mountain, suffocating her hope.

But now—

The rhythmic thrum of helicopter blades filled the air, a symphony of salvation. It was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.

She ran faster than she ever had in her life.

Adrian Blackwood, panting beside her, found a clearer path ahead. He glanced back, his expression a mix of relief and lingering fear.

"Evelyn," he called, voice rough from exertion. "We're going home together. You won't leave me behind, right?"

She flashed him a radiant smile despite the dirt and exhaustion.

"Of course not! Once we're back, you're stuck with me. I'll make sure you never have to worry about anything again!"

She thought he was afraid she'd abandon him after their ordeal.

One more person to take care of? Easy.

In her excitement, she didn't see the gnarled root jutting from the ground.

Her foot caught.

She stumbled forward with a gasp, pain shooting up her leg.

Adrian yanked her upright. "Slow down," he warned. "What if it's a trap? We could be running straight into danger."

Evelyn shook her head, breathless but certain.

"No, it's not a trap. It's Alexander. My brother—he's a genius. If they tracked Leo, they know I'm here."

For twenty agonizing minutes, they sprinted through the jungle.

Evelyn fell more than once.

Her clothes were torn beyond recognition, caked in mud and sweat.

Her once-pristine hands were a mess of cuts and scrapes, blood smeared across her skin.

But she didn't care.

She didn't even cry.

Finally, they burst through the trees—

And froze.

The beach stretched before them, wide and open.

Three helicopters hovered ominously overhead, their deafening rotors churning the air.

Eight speedboats bobbed in the water nearby, each manned by armed, sunglasses-wearing men.

The sea roared, waves crashing violently against the rocks.

The entire scene was suffocatingly tense.

This wasn't a rescue.

Evelyn's stomach dropped when she spotted the three men in military gear standing closest to them.

Guns slung casually over their shoulders.

Cigarettes dangling from their lips.

A cold dread slithered down her spine.

The men turned.

Their eyes locked onto Evelyn and Adrian.

A slow, predatory grin spread across their faces.

Evelyn's blood turned to ice.

One of them barked a rough laugh.

Adrian's grip on her hand trembled.

"P-Pirates," he whispered.

Evelyn forced herself to stay calm, but her pulse hammered in her throat.

Her instincts screamed.

These were the same pirates who had chased them before.

Driven off by the island's natives, they had waited here—patient hunters—for their prey to stumble right into their hands.

And Evelyn and Adrian had done exactly that.

She stood paralyzed, mind blank.

Fear, sharp and icy, flooded her veins.

This was despair.

True, crushing despair.

Why? she wanted to scream. Why does fate keep testing me like this?

The pirates flicked away their cigarettes.

Exchanged knowing smirks.

Then started toward them, unhurried.

Confident.

They had all the time in the world.

Evelyn clenched her jaw, swallowing back terror.

"Run," Adrian urged under his breath.

She shook her head, voice barely audible.

"No. I'm scared."

Her gaze flicked to the guns at their hips.

"They have weapons."