Rhianna never imagined she would find herself in such a perilous situation again. Since her rebirth, she had secretly investigated the gang that kidnapped her in her previous life but had found no leads or progress. She had begun to believe that it was just an unfortunate accident.
But now, experiencing the same thing in a different place, Rhianna couldn't shake the feeling that it was fate.
She was blindfolded, her hands and feet bound, only able to hear the gang speaking in what she guessed was M language.
The effects of the drug hadn't completely worn off, leaving her weak. However, thanks to her past experience and the survival training she had undertaken since her rebirth, Rhianna remained calm, knowing she could escape if the opportunity arose.
*
Rylee discovered that the tracker he had placed on Rhianna had been disabled. He immediately contacted Lauryn for information and rushed to M City.
Before boarding the plane, Rylee mobilized his family's connections in M City, using every resource to locate Rhianna.
When the plane finally landed at the private airport in M City, Rylee's heart was still in his throat.
Rylee was always calm and collected, except when it came to Rhianna. No matter how well he planned, he couldn't control his worry for her.
As soon as he got off the plane, members of the Palmer family were already waiting outside the his car.
They began reporting all the information gathered in the past few hours, stating that Rhianna was last seen in the bar district, accompanied by a girl of the same age.
*
In the quiet car, the phone rang loudly.
Rylee answered it, and the voice on the other end began to speak.
"Mr. Palmer…"
The person seemed ready to deliver a long speech but was cut off by Rylee.
"Where is she?" No matter how calm he was, he only wanted to know if she was safe.
The person on the other end paused, feeling stifled. Rylee, without even seeing him, could make him feel this way.
Antonio, the second-in-command of the M country drug cartel, gave the address without hesitation.
*
The radio announced that the seventeenth super typhoon of the year was about to make landfall in the province.
The sky was dark as if heralding the apocalypse, with strong winds raging all around, making the world seem like it was about to be torn apart.
A black car sped along the empty highway, like a beam of light piercing the darkness.
Rylee knew this was an act of revenge against him. He recognized Antonio's voice, the second-in-command of the largest drug cartel in the M country.
This was the aftermath of the cross-border anti-drug operation and a barrier he had to overcome to save the girl he loved.
*
Rylee came alone but well-prepared.
This lawless area near the M country was full of drug cartel spies.
Rylee knew that bringing even one more person would increase the risk of losing Rhianna forever, a risk he couldn't afford.
Rylee was an excellent infiltrator, fluent in Spanish, English, and local dialects, and skilled at disguises.
He abandoned the car in a mountain ditch, disguised himself, and discarded his backup phone.
Even though he had only been here once, the terrain was etched in his memory.
The severe weather provided natural cover. This small border village was reinforcing its wooden houses against the approaching cyclone, as the villagers made a living from drug production and trafficking.
Amid the howling wind, a group of child soldiers played in the rain, oblivious to the coming storm.
Rylee knew these seemingly innocent children were actually sharp weapons for the drug cartel.
He casually passed by several wooden houses, observing everything he could use.
He was determined to rescue his wife, ensuring she wouldn't be harmed again.
*
Rhianna pretended to be unconscious, conserving her strength while the drug wore off. She didn't have time to ponder why "Arely" had drugged her. Her priority was to escape.
She knew she was in a standalone house, as someone occasionally opened the door to check on her. The creaking of the wooden door locks was unmistakable.
The news had reported that the super typhoon would make landfall in M City tonight.
Although unsure of her exact location, the constant howling wind outside indicated she wasn't far from M City.
Perhaps her captors underestimated her. With her previous experience of being kidnapped, Rhianna had taken survival classes. She could escape from this type of knot without needing a sharp object.
A second chance at life would be wasted without maxing out her survival skills.
The storm outside was fierce. Rhianna listened intently to the guards' movements, who seemed to have run outside, shouting something.
They assumed she was too delicate to attempt an escape.
At this moment, Rhianna freed her hands from the ropes, removed the blindfold, and found herself in a dilapidated wooden hut. Her legs were numb from being in the same position for too long, but she didn't have time to worry about it. She picked up a broken stool beside her. There was a window at the back of the hut, boarded up with wooden planks. Due to the storm, the planks had loosened. Taking advantage of the noise created by the gusts blowing through debris, Rhianna struck the planks with all her strength. The planks began to crack. After a few more attempts, she managed to create a hole in the window.Rhianna tore her skirt to wrap her knees and hands, protecting them from the splintered wood. Without further delay, she escaped from the wooden hut.
If escaping was this simple, it would be a dream. As Rhianna stumbled and fell through the wooden window, the noise alerted the kidnappers.
She heard shouts behind her but had no time to look back, running for her life. Fortunately, the bad weather meant most of the compound's occupants were either indoors or away, giving her a slim chance of escape.
Antonio's men had never expected such a fragile-looking woman to escape. They had eyed her beauty, but Antonio had promised they could have their way after completing the task. Now, if they caught her, they planned to rape her regardless of the consequences.
Terrified, Rhianna heard a gunshot echoing through the storm.
She knew she couldn't stop running, but the footsteps behind her were closing in.
Using all her strength, she ran, hearing the shouts of the men chasing her.
"Ah—"
"Ugh—"
Rhianna's desperate sprint was halted by a powerful grip on her wrist.
"No… don't come near…"
Soaked and muddy, with bruises from her escape all over her knees and shoulders, she was trembling, too afraid to look at who had caught her.
"Rhi, don't be afraid. It's me."
Rylee pulled her into his arms. He had heard the gunshot and rushed over. Using his silenced gun, he had quickly dispatched the eight men chasing Rhianna.
They needed to leave the dangerous area immediately. Others would surely be alerted by the gunshot.
Rhianna, still in shock, was placed in the nearby off-road vehicle. Rylee swiftly unlocked and started the car.
Antonio's men had already surrounded them, even as they sat in the vehicle.
"Rhi, don't be afraid. I'm here."
*
Antonio watched the two in the car, frustrated by his failed plan. He couldn't believe the girl had escaped and that Rylee had infiltrated their heavily guarded compound.
But Antonio also knew that today would be Rylee's grave.
As Antonio ordered his men to open fire, a flashbang exploded nearby, blinding everyone in the stormy night.
Rylee seized the opportunity, driving the jeep through the chaos.
Once they passed G mountain, they would be safe. Rylee knew that various nations's force were closing in on the remnants of the drug cartel. Antonio's retaliation was a desperate act.
Rhianna, sitting in the passenger seat, was starting to regain her composure. She wanted to ask Rylee how he had come to rescue her but was interrupted by the sound of gunfire behind them.
"Get down," Rylee commanded, pressing Rhianna's head down.
With a sharp turn, they navigated the complex terrain of the valley, the road treacherous and difficult.
Bullets shattered the rear windshield, but with a quick turn and throw, Rylee's grenade obliterated the pursuing vehicle.
And Rylee took a triumphant breath, knowing that Ellie was intent on capturing him alive. Although Rylee knew Antonio wanted him dead, capturing him alive would be useful for leverage. But Rylee wouldn't let them succeed, especially with Rhianna's life at stake.
Despite destroying two vehicles, more pursuers were hot on their trail.
Ahead was a steep slope with no road, and Rylee took a deep breath, flooring the gas and making a sharp turn.
One of the pursuing vehicles couldn't stop in time and plunged off the cliff.
Even with his evasive maneuvers, they were running out of options.
*
"Give up, Mr. Palmer." Antonio shouted, determined to avenge his brother and secure a future for his cartel by capturing Rylee.
For some reason, Rhianna felt a strange sense of calm looking into Rylee's eyes.
"Stay in the car," he said, removing his bulletproof vest and placing it on Rhianna.
Rhianna wanted him to wear it himself but was pulled into a tight embrace.
"Be good."
Rhianna watched Rylee step out of the car, tears welling up.
"Mr. Palmer, long time no see." Antonio began as soon as Rylee exited the vehicle.
"Do we have anything to reminisce about?" Rylee replied, swiftly taking down a henchman attempting to ambush him from behind. The thug's tranquilizer dart fell to the ground.
Seeing the failed ambush, Rylee ignored Antonio and donned his protective gear.
"Looks like you want a one-on-one fight, Commander."
A burly man charged at Rylee with a machete, but Rylee swiftly dodged and kicked him in the stomach.
Antonio, furious, knew his men were no match for Rylee.
As the henchman was sent flying, Antonio grabbed a child soldier and threw him at Rylee!
Rylee quickly drew the gun from his waistband, loaded it, and pulled the trigger in one swift motion.
The child, still clutching a poisoned needle, fell into a pool of blood at Rylee's feet.
Seeing the heavy casualties among his men, Antonio realized that none of them could take down Rylee in a one-on-one fight.
With a gesture from Antonio, the air was filled with shouts and the sound of running feet as a group charged toward Rylee. But Rylee pulled a grenade from his pocket, pulled the pin, and threw it toward Antonio.
Antonio hadn't expected Rylee to have access to such military-grade weapons. The charging group scattered in panic.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Rylee ran to the car, which was still running, and executed a high-risk maneuver, turning the car at the edge of a cliff.
The vehicle sped through the scattered crowd, with Antonio ducking for cover, realizing too late that Rylee had outsmarted him.
Grabbing an AK-47, Antonio began to fire at the retreating vehicle, determined to get his revenge, even if it meant mutual destruction.
Bullets riddled the car, and Rylee's shoulder began to bleed profusely, staining the car seat red.
Rhianna, frantic and trembling, tried to bandage Rylee's wound with her hair tie while keeping her composure.
"I'm fine, don't worry," Rylee reassured her, even in this dire situation.
Rhianna nodded, seeing the determined smile on Rylee's face.
"Trust me, we'll be safe soon."
Rylee unbuckled her seatbelt as they approached a precarious edge. The pursuing vehicles were closing in, and the storm obscured the path ahead.
He tore away the car's cushion, and with swift motions, outfitted Rhianna with protective gear, holding her tightly.
"Close your eyes and don't be afraid."
Rylee floored the gas pedal, driving the car off the cliff into the stormy abyss.
Rhianna felt the secure warmth of Rylee's embrace as they tumbled down the cliff.
The sounds of battle, the blood, and the pain blurred together in her mind… Everything faded into darkness.
In the midst of the blackness, before losing consciousness, she heard Rylee's soothing voice, "Rhi, wake up, don't sleep."
