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10:11 AM &
Nate rolled down the window, gripping the box tightly as a man pointed a gun at his head
Several people were forced out of the car and ordered to stand on either side. A large black man grabbed the box and ran to his boss. While Tara and the others were confused, Stacy listened intently understanding their dialect
*They’re not the police,” she whispered. “They think the box contains gold and intercepted us.”
Nate turned to her. “Anything else?”
She nodded “The one with the gold necklace is their boss. The big guy wants to kill him to keep him quiet, but
the boss seems hesitant ”
Tara cursed under his breath. The black man returned, box in hand, and barked at Nate to open it.
Stacy glanced at the wiry man in charge and made a split–second decision. She removed the cross from her neck and approached the black man, bowing slightly as she spoke in fluent dialect.
Nate and his team watched, stunned. To their shock, the black man handed the box back to Stacy and regrouped
with his boss.
Stacy cradled the box in her hands, her movements deliberate. As she began entering the code, she looked up briefly, locking eyes with Nate. His expression darkened just before he kicked a nearby man, sending him sprawling.
The unexpected commotion drew everyone’s attention. The black man cursed loudly, waving his gun in
frustration
At that moment, the box clicked open. Without hesitation, Stacy pulled out a hidden knife and lunged, swiftly capturing the white leader in a headlock. Her speed and precision left the man stunned–he hadn’t expected the delicate girl with an innocent face to wield a weapon, let alone so effectively. He cursed in regret
Stacy held the leader hostage, forcing his men to freeze. She maneuvered him toward Nate’s side, where he and men had already drawn their guns. The standoff was tense, neither side wanted to escalate further.
Feigning negotiation, Stacy stalled for time. Her palms were slick with sweat as the armored vehicle finally arrived. Sensing her grip slacken, the white leader struck her elbow, making her cry out in pain as the knife clattered
to the ground
The black man raised his weapon, firing a shot.
Stacy closed her eyes, bracing for the worst. Instead, she felt herself pulled into strong arms. The world tilted, and when she opened her eyes, Nate’s embrace shielded her. His firm grip held her head securely as gunfire erupted
around them
Amid the chaos, a voice shouted, “Young Master!” But Stacy could only focus on one sound–the way Nate said her name. It echoed in her mind, shaking her to her core.
The weight of his body pressed down on her, grounding her in the moment. She moved her legs slightly and
heard him groan
Twice in one day, this man had saved her life.
The gunfire soon ceased, leaving an eerie silence. Nate rose, pulling her up with him. Stacy stared at him, her mind racing. The faint blush on his ears was the only hint that the moment had affected him too.
Brushing dirt off his clothes, Nate asked casually, “Are you hurt?”
Stacy examined herself, finding only a small scratch on her arm. “I’m fine,” she said, her eyes scanning him for injuries Thankfully, he appeared unharmed
When they boarded the helicopter, Stacy was seated apart from Nate. Tara and two men in camouflage uniforms -Nate’s subordinates–flanked her instead. Exhausted, she dozed off, missing their conversation.
By the time they left Hawaii, night still cloaked the island. When the plane landed, sunlight streamed through the
10:11 AM
windows, waking Stacy. Tara nudged her gently. “We’ve arrived,” he said.
Stepping off the plane, Stacy saw Nate waiting for her. His gaze was steady
“Stacy,” he said firmly. “I’ll escort you to the central government first”
