Forced Marry To The Mafia King

HAZEL'S POV

"Hazel, run! Don't look back!" Max's voice cracks through the storm, sharp and desperate, slicing straight into my chest as his fingers lock tighter around mine.

"I'm trying," I gasp, my breath tearing out of my lungs. "Max, I can't.. my legs are hurting.."

"Don't stop," he snaps, rain streaming down his face, eyes wild yet stubborn. "Please. Just a little more. For us."

Thunder explodes above us, violent and furious, Rain lashes my face, blinding me, choking me.

The road beneath our feet is slick, treacherous, water rushing like a river over broken asphalt. Every step feels like it might be my last.

Behind us, "Stop!" someone shouts. "Don't let them get away!"

I stumble. My knees buckle. Fear claws its way up my throat.

"Max… I can't run anymore," I whisper, bending forward, my hands on my knees, my chest burning. "I swear… I can't."

He stops instantly, turning back to me despite the danger. His grip slides to my shoulders, firm, grounding.

"Hazel," he breathes, forehead touching mine, rain dripping between us, "listen to me. If we stop… they'll kill us."

My heart trembles violently.

"Don't say that," I cry, shaking my head. "Please don't. I love you. If you die… I die too. I can't live without you."

His thumb brushes my cheek, wiping away tears mixed with rain. His eyes soften so full of love it hurts to look at him.

"I'm not leaving you," he says quietly, fiercely. "Never. We'll survive. Together."

Before I can answer BANGGG!!!!!!

Blinding headlights flood the road. A black SUV skids to a halt inches away from us, water exploding into the air. Another car stops behind us, sealing the road like a coffin.

"No…" My voice breaks.

Doors open. Men step out. Faces cold. Guns visible beneath jackets.

Max's hand tightens around mine, "Stay behind me."

The SUV door opens slowly, deliberately.

Then I see him, My brother, Jack.

My blood turns to ice.

He steps out into the rain like a king stepping onto his battlefield. His eyes lock on me, burning with rage.

"Hazel!" he roars, louder than the thunder, "How dare you run away with this worthless boy?"

My heart pounds so hard it hurts.

"Bro, please.." I start.

"Shut up!" he snarls. "Tonight, neither he survives… nor your filthy love."

The bodyguards move instantly, surrounding Max.

"No!" I scream. "Max!"

I try to run to him, but Jack grabs my arm and yanks me back brutally.

"Let me go!" I shriek, struggling.

My fingers slip from Max's hand. That single second breaks my soul, They attack him.

"Stop!" I scream, my voice shredding. "Please! Please leave him!"

Max falls to his knees. Blood spills. Still they don't stop.

Jack clamps his hand over my mouth. "Watch," he growls. "This is what happens when you disobey me."

Tears stream down my face as I watch them destroy the man I love.

"Hazel…" Max gasps, lifting his head. His eyes find mine filled with pain.

Then Jack pulls out a gun.

"No!" I scream, muffled against his palm, "Bro..no!"

He slaps me hard.

The world spins. I crash to the ground, rain soaking my face, blood in my mouth.

Gunshots rip through the storm.

"NOOOOO!" I scream.

When I look again, Max lies still. Broken. Blood-soaked. His eyes stare at the sky empty.

I crawl to him, sobbing, "Max… please… wake up…"

His hand is cold, Something inside me dies with him.

Jack drags me away by my hair, throws me into the car like I'm nothing.

Jack starts the car without looking back even once. The vehicle drives away, leaving Max's blood-soaked body lying there on the road.

I still can't believe it. The man I loved more than my entire world the man without whom I couldn't even imagine living has gone away from me forever.

What was my fault? What crime did I commit… that God snatched my love from my arms?

I go completely numb, as if I lose consciousness. I am no longer aware of anything around me. My senses fade, my mind goes blank, and I lose all control over myself.

I still cannot believe that Max is gone from this world. My heart simply refuses to accept it.

Days blur into nights, nights into madness. I'm locked inside this house guarded, My brother is on a business trip.

I whisper, clutching Max's photograph to my chest. "Why didn't I die with you?"

My voice breaks, "Why am I still breathing when you're gone?"

My fingers trace his smile, "Come back… please."

Then, BANG!!!!

I gasp, "What was that?" and run into the hall where bodyguards raise their guns. "Stay where you are!" someone shouts, "Protect the house!"

Before I can move, the wall explodes. "Get down!" Men in black storm in, "Fire!"

Screams tear through the air. Bodies hit the floor. "No… no…" And then silence, I stand there shaking, unable to breathe.

I turn and crash into someone solid. "Hey, let go of me!" I scream as strong arms grab me.

I look up. "You…?"

My breath stops. "Max…?" Those eyes? his eyes.

"It hurts!" I cry, clawing at his arm.

"Who are you? Answer me!"

He lifts me like I weigh nothing. "Put me down!"

I sob, "My brother will kill you!"

Then, with a sudden jolt, he pushes me into the back seat of a car. I stumble and fall against the leather.

I fumble for my phone, desperately trying to call for help, but before I can, he snatches it from my hands.

"Give me back my phone! Who are you?!" I shout, panic rising like a tidal wave. His

"Don't touch my phone!" I scream. "Give it back!" Something presses over my mouth.

"No please.." My voice fades as darkness swallows everything, And then… I lose consciousness.

Darkness claims me, but those eyes follow me into oblivion. Max's eyes. Alive. Watching. Waiting. If he is dead, then who is this man holding me? And why does my heart recognize him before my mind does?