The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 15

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower


Chapter 15:


A Dangerous Gamble


Emelly’s heart pounded as she slipped out of the safehouse, the cold night air biting at her skin. Lucas would kill her if he found out she’d left, but the photo of Tony—bruised, bound, and terrified—had left her no choice.


The message had been clear: Come alone, or he dies. She clutched her phone tighter, her mind racing. Linda had always been petty, but this? This was something else entirely. Emelly had no weapons, no backup, just her wits and the desperate hope that she could outsmart whoever was behind this. The abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Lasmington loomed ahead, its broken windows like hollow eyes watching her.


She swallowed hard, forcing her legs to move forward. Tony’s life is on the line. You can do this. Inside, the dim glow of a single flickering bulb cast long shadows. The air smelled of rust and damp concrete. Then she heard it—a muffled groan.


"Tony?" she whispered, stepping cautiously. A sharp laugh cut through the silence.


"Oh, Emelly. Always the hero." Linda stepped into the light, her perfectly manicured nails glinting as she twirled a knife between her fingers. Behind her, Tony was tied to a chair, his lip split, one eye swollen shut. His gaze locked onto Emelly’s, frantic and pleading.


"Let him go, Linda," Emelly demanded, her voice steadier than she felt. "This is between you and me." Linda smirked. "Oh, it’s so much bigger than that. But you wouldn’t understand, would you? Little country girl playing in the big leagues." Emelly’s fingers curled into fists. "What do you want?" "Lucas York," Linda said simply. "And you’re going to help me get him." Emelly’s stomach twisted.


"Never." Linda sighed dramatically.


"Then I guess Tony dies." She raised the knife. "Wait!" Emelly’s mind raced. She needed time. "Fine. What’s your plan?" Linda’s grin turned predatory. "Smart girl.


You’re going to call Lucas. Tell him you’re hurt. When he comes running, my associates will take care of the rest." Emelly’s blood ran cold. Lucas would walk right into a trap. But if she refused, Tony would die. She had to think fast. "Give me the phone," she said, holding out her hand. Linda tossed it to her, watching like a hawk.


Emelly dialed Lucas’s number, her fingers trembling. He answered on the first ring. "Emelly? Where the hell are you?" His voice was sharp with fury and something else—fear. She took a shaky breath. "Lucas, I—I need you. I’m hurt. Please, come to the old warehouse near the docks. Hurry." Silence.


Then, his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Who’s making you say this?" Her pulse spiked. He knows. Linda snatched the phone and hung up. "Good enough." She smirked. "Now we wait." Emelly’s mind whirled. Lucas was too smart to walk in blindly. But if he didn’t come, Linda would kill Tony. If he did come… She had to act.


Tony’s eyes met hers again, and she caught the slightest nod toward a loose pipe near his feet. A weapon. Emelly forced a shaky laugh. "You really think Lucas will fall for this? He hates me, remember?" Linda rolled her eyes. "Please. The man is obsessed with you. Everyone sees it." Emelly feigned surprise. "What? No way. He’s always yelling at me." Linda scoffed. "Because you’re the only one who doesn’t cower. It’s pathetic." While Linda ranted, Emelly inched closer to Tony. Just a little more… A crash echoed through the warehouse. Linda spun around. "What was—?" Emelly lunged for the pipe, swinging hard.


It connected with Linda’s shoulder, sending her stumbling back with a shriek. "Run, Tony!" Emelly yanked at his ropes, her fingers slipping in her haste. The warehouse doors burst open. Lucas stood there, his expression murderous. Behind him, David and a team of security flooded in. Linda snarled, raising her knife again—but Lucas moved faster. He disarmed her in one fluid motion, pinning her to the ground. "Emelly," he growled, his gaze locking onto hers. "You are never doing that again." She opened her mouth to argue, but the sheer relief in his eyes stole her words. Then the sound of screeching tires outside. More of Leo Brown’s men? Lucas cursed. "We’re outnumbered. Emelly, stay behind me.


" She grabbed Tony’s arm, dragging him up. "Not a chance." The doors exploded inward. Gunfire erupted. And the world went black.