Chapter 466
Chapter 466:
The moment hung in the air like a drawn breath. Shock rippled through the room. Jason caught the attention of the infamous leader of Thorn Rose? What exactly did she mean by that? Was it just a harmless crush, or was she plotting to drag Jason away for some shady experiment behind closed doors?
Flat on his back, Jason lay motionless in the grass, eyes locked on her, too blindsided to make sense of any of it.
Daniel gave a shaky chuckle, raising both hands in surrender. “We’re not here to mess with your guy. Our orders were clear—Cole’s the target. Jason? He’s all yours p>
“That’s not how this plays out.” Elliana’s voice was low and deliberate, her words laced with finality. “Jason’s the one I’ve chosen. If I want to keep him happy, then no one touches his cousin. When I claim someone as under my protection, not one soul will cross that line p>
“Even a scratch is allowed.” The realization settled like fog across the field—Death Thorn wasn’t bluffing. She was into Jason.
Jason, for his part, was completely thrown. He’d never even met Death Thorn—so why this sudden interest? What did she see in him? What the hell was her endgame?
Elliana, meanwhile, couldn’t care less about the crowd’s confusion. Her declaration served a purpose. Even if the Phantom Mercenaries failed to finish the job this time, whoever pulled the strings could always bring in a new team to come after Cole. Therefore, she had to make it clear that anyone thinking of taking on the task would regret it. She had almost said she was protecting Cole—but then the memory of the divorce papers flared hot in her mind. That bitterness pushed her to pivot and use Jason’s name instead.
Daniel didn’t know the full picture. All he understood was that this mission had gone south fast. Missing out on that hefty payout definitely hurt, but not enough to risk his neck.
“We had no idea Jason meant something to you when we agreed to the job. Didn’t mean any disrespect. We won’t cross you again. We’re walking away.” With that, Daniel prepared to leave with his men.
Elliana’s voice rang out. “Wait a second p>
𝒇𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓱𝒆𝓭 𝒕𝓱𝓮𝓷𝒏𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓿𝒆𝓼
Daniel froze, uneasy, and then turned around slowly. “Is there more p>
Elliana withdrew her hand from the sunlight, her voice dropping to a deadly chill. “You think you can hurt the man I’m interested in and walk off like it’s just another job p>
A sheen of sweat broke out across Daniel’s forehead, as if an invisible blade were dangling inches from his neck.
Behind him, Daniel’s men stiffened, terror settling deep in their bones. With a slow turn of her head, Elliana scanned them all, her words hitting like frostbite. “Everyone here cuts off a pinky. Do that, and we’re square. Refuse, and I’ll hunt you down personally p>
No hesitation followed—Elliana began the countdown. “Three… two…” Elliana didn’t even reach one. Knives flashed in the sunlight, and one by one, Daniel and his crew gritted their teeth and hacked off their pinkies. The sharp, metallic tang of blood thickened the air.
A smirk curled on Elliana’s lips. “Let that sink in. If anyone even breathes near the Evans family again, I won’t be this generous. Now scram p>