Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire
Chapter 313: Stay Strong

Chapter 313: Stay Strong

Alexander turned sharply, positioning Rain behind him. Michael stood a few feet away, his face twisted in fury as his eyes locked on Rain. "You’re running, Rain? With him?" His voice dripped with venom, and his gaze shifted to Alexander with murderous intent.

Michael’s face contorted further, his rage spilling over. "She’s mine!" he screamed. "All of you, get her! Bring her to me alive!"

In an instant, Michael’s guards surged forward, their weapons drawn. Alexander tightened his grip on Rain’s wrist and hissed, "Stay close to me, no matter what." He pulled a firearm from his holster, taking a defensive stance as the men charged.

Gunfire erupted, echoing in the enclosed space. Alexander moved with calculated precision, his shots landing true, but the sheer number of guards began to overwhelm them. Rain tried to help, picking up a discarded weapon, but her injured leg slowed her down.

"Damn it," Alexander muttered as he took down another guard. "Clifford, we need that barrier down!"

As if on cue, the distant sound of sirens filled the air. Moments later, reinforcements poured into the area, and police officers flanked by Ben, William, and Brandon.

"Alexander!" Brandon called out, firing at a group of guards approaching Rain’s side. "We’ve got this. Get her out of here!"

Michael’s rage hit a fever pitch as he watched his men falter. He grabbed a nearby weapon, his hands trembling with unhinged fury. "If I can’t have her, no one will!" he screamed.

Rain’s blood ran cold as she saw Michael raise his gun, aiming directly at her.

"Rain!" Alexander shouted, spinning toward her just as Michael fired.

Without hesitation, Alexander threw himself in front of her, his body absorbing the full force of the shot.

"No!" Rain screamed, catching Alexander as he collapsed against her. Blood seeped through his shirt, staining her hands. The sound of Michael’s maniacal laughter echoed in her ears. "You think you’ve won? She’ll never escape me!"

But his glee was short-lived as Ben tackled him to the ground, wrenching the gun from his hand. Rain held onto Alexander tightly, her voice trembling. "Stay with me, Alexander. Don’t you dare leave me now."

"I’m fine," he rasped, though his voice was weak. His hand reached up to touch her cheek. "I told you, Rain... I won’t let him hurt you."

The police quickly subdued Michael and his remaining guards. Brandon knelt beside Rain and Alexander, his face pale. "We need to get him to a medic now."

Rain nodded, her eyes never leaving Alexander. "Hold on," she whispered, tears streaming down her face as help finally arrived.

She had his blood all over her, her hands trembling as she clung to him desperately. "Alexander, hold on! Please, stay with me!" she cried, her voice breaking with each word.

Tears blurred her vision as she cradled him tightly, unable to focus on anything but the man in her arms.

Rain was so consumed by panic and grief that she barely registered the chaos unfolding around her. The shouts, the gunfire, it all faded into a muffled hum.

Michael, in a desperate frenzy, was fighting against the guards. He had managed to grab another gun, and the sharp cracks of shots echoed through the area. People were scrambling for cover, the scene descending into complete mayhem.

Rain’s breath hitched when she felt Alexander’s arms tighten around her. His body shifted, shielding her completely as he pressed her face against his chest. She didn’t need to look up to know what was happening. She could feel his protective embrace, his heart beating erratically against her cheek despite his wounds.

"Stay down," he murmured, his voice strained but firm.

Rain’s hands clutched at his shirt, her sobs muffled against him. "Alexander, please..." she whispered, her words choked with fear and desperation.

Even as the world around them descended into chaos, Alexander’s priority was her safety. Rain could feel his strength waning, but his determination never faltered. She clung to him, praying for the nightmare to end.

*****

Rock’s hands shook as he gripped his phone tightly, the weight of the news sinking in. William, alongside Brandon, was handling the fallout from the chaos. Michael Astor had been killed on the spot, shot down by police when he attempted a desperate, violent escape.

It was a very long night...

Brandon had already made a public statement in the morning, detailing the grim scope of Michael’s crimes. The revelation shocked the nation: Michael was at the center of an intricate web of illegal activities... arms smuggling, contraband distribution, drugs, human trafficking, and even the replacement of key officials with impostors who had undergone extensive facial reconstruction surgeries.

The operation to dismantle Michael’s organization was swift and decisive. Authorities raided his underground facilities, rescuing the victims of his schemes and exposing his collaborators.

Police and military forces worked together to arrest every individual involved, from high-ranking government insiders to field operatives, all of whom now awaited trial.

In the aftermath, William had gone to great lengths to ensure that Rain and Alexander’s names would not be dragged into the scandal. The couple’s involvement, though critical, was kept out of the public eye to protect their privacy and shield them from further trauma.

Rain and Alexander both remained in the hospital, recovering from gunshot wounds inflicted by Michael.

Rock paced outside their room, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

The helplessness was eating away at him as he glanced through the glass window, watching the two of them lying unconscious on their hospital beds. The steady beeping of monitors was the only sound accompanying the tense atmosphere.

None of them could do anything but wait and pray that Rain and Alexander would wake up soon.

"You should go and rest. I’ll look after Alexander," Ben urged gently, placing a reassuring hand on Rock’s shoulder.

Rock’s heart ached as he stared at his son through the window. "It’s so hard to see him like this, Ben," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I keep thinking it should be me in that bed, hooked up to all those tubes, not him. He should be the one standing here, looking at me like this... not the other way around."

Ben gave him a solemn nod. "I know how you feel. But Alexander wouldn’t want you blaming yourself. What he needs now is for you to stay strong... for him and Rain."

Rock sighed deeply, his chest tight with guilt and helplessness. "I just wish I could do more."

"You’ve already done plenty. Now let the doctors do their part, and trust Alexander’s strength... Stay strong," Ben said firmly.