Chapter 42

"What the hell are you doing? Back off! I'm dialing 911 right now!" Natalie's panicked scream echoed through the bookstore as she fumbled for her phone.

The masked intruders didn't even flinch. Some continued overturning shelves while two advanced toward Olivia and Natalie with clear malicious intent. Natalie grabbed Olivia's wrist, yanking her toward the storage area.

Both women knew the layout intimately, weaving through the labyrinth of bookshelves. But their escape route was hopeless - the front door was blocked, the back exit sealed. They were trapped like mice in a cage.

"I'm calling Daniel! He'll get us out!" Natalie hissed, shoving Olivia into a narrow alcove beneath the staircase.

Crammed in the tight space, Natalie whispered, "These aren't negotiators. Cops won't get here in time." She frantically dialed her brother while Olivia silently texted emergency services.

Olivia's pulse hammered against her ribs. This attack was meant for her, not Natalie. Retribution from Ryan, Sophia, or Evelyn? Had her past sins dragged innocent Natalie into danger?

"Find those bitches! They can't have gone far!" growled a voice from the main floor.

"Burn it all before the pigs arrive!"

Olivia's blood turned to ice as the sharp tang of gasoline assaulted her senses. She clutched Natalie's hand just as a lighter flicked open, igniting the exit in a whoosh of flames. Fire erupted, sealing them inside.

"Cough... God... can't breathe..." Natalie doubled over, eyes streaming from smoke. "Fire extinguisher - storage closet!" she gasped, lurching forward.

Olivia knew it was pointless. The inferno was spreading too fast. These weren't random thugs - this was a calculated hit. The crushing guilt nearly suffocated her before the smoke could. The Blackwoods had no enemies this vicious - this was her doing. Her entanglement with Ryan, Sophia and Evelyn had brought this hell upon them. Natalie was collateral damage in someone's twisted revenge.

Just as despair threatened to consume her, Olivia spotted it - a narrow ventilation window near the ceiling. With sudden clarity, she dragged Natalie toward it, gesturing frantically.

"Too high for me. You go first," Natalie argued weakly between coughs. "I'll boost you up."

Olivia shook her head violently. She wouldn't abandon Natalie. This was her mess to clean up. Ignoring the searing heat, Olivia interlaced her fingers to form a step, heaving Natalie upward with all her strength.

The smoke grew unbearable, stealing their voices. Olivia kept pushing Natalie toward salvation, her arms trembling with effort.

"Olivia, I won't leave you!" Natalie's sob cut through the roar of flames. "I'll bring help - just hold on!"

With one final shove, Natalie tumbled through the window just as a fresh wave of black smoke swallowed Olivia whole.

Olivia collapsed, hacking violently. Her shaking fingers found her phone - five rapid presses activated the emergency SOS. Liam was her emergency contact, but would he even care enough to respond?

As flames licked closer, Olivia curled into a fetal position, consciousness flickering. Time stretched into eternity until suddenly - through the suffocating darkness - strong arms lifted her, carrying her through the deluge of fire hoses.

The cavalry had arrived. Natalie rushed forward, face streaked with tears and soot.

"Olivia! Oh God, please be okay!"

Blinking smoke from her stinging eyes, Olivia's vision cleared to reveal Liam's face - raw worry giving way to desperate relief. He'd come for her. In this nightmare, his presence felt like a miracle.

Coughing violently, Olivia realized she'd mostly escaped injury - her hiding spot had protected her from the worst. She signed a shaky 'thank you' to Liam, warmth flooding her chest.

Natalie gripped her hand like a lifeline. "I thought... I thought you were..."

Then Evelyn's shrill voice cut through the chaos. Olivia instinctively recoiled from Liam, putting distance between them. His brow furrowed at her reaction.

The terror Liam had felt hearing about the fire still vibrated in his bones. He'd raced here like a man possessed. Now, watching Olivia withdraw despite his rescue, hurt flashed in his stormy eyes.

Masking his pain, Liam turned on Evelyn, voice glacial. "Those mercenaries worked for Ryan Carter. Tell me you had nothing to do with this."

The unspoken threat hung heavy in the acrid air.