The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 2127

But Arabella felt extraordinarily safe in Romeo's arms, as if all the dangers of the world were kept at bay by his warm and strong embrace.

Shrapnel from the explosion scattered onto Romeo's back, but he seemed impervious to the pain as he continued to shield the girl in his arms.

Debris flew towards others, striking some in the head, others splattering across their bodies.

It wasn't until the fury of the explosion had subsided, and the thick smoke had cleared enough to see the path ahead, that Jones and the others began to help the injured to their feet.

Kenneth cradled Louisa in his arms, feeling an overwhelming joy of having survived the ordeal. Looking at his wife, her hair and face covered in dust, his eyes moistened with tears.

Knowing she was safe, Louisa finally let go of her fear and burst into tears.

Bernard and Cornelia, being elderly, were thrown several feet away by the blast. They hit the ground and lost consciousness.

"Boss!" Jones called out, informing her of the two elderly people who had fainted.

Arabella stepped out of Romeo's embrace to check her grandparents' pulse, finding they were alright, and her heart settled.

"I'll carry them to the car first," Romeo said as he lifted Bernard. Only then did Arabella notice the injury on his back; his clothes torn, and blood seeping out.

Her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and heartache. After he had picked up Bernard, he went to lift Cornelia.

Jones came running over to report to Arabella, "Boss, when we came upon them, they were trying to flee, but we caught them."

Arabella's eyes turned cold as she looked at Serena, Nighthawk, Tyrannosaurus, and the others tied up not far away, "Take them back."

Serena knew nothing good awaited her upon return. She protested with sobs, only to be met with a fierce slap from Jack.

"Cry me a river, you'll get what's coming to you."

Jack's slap was powerful; since Serena's cheek had already been cut by the shrapnel from the explosion, the slap widened her wound, causing her to grimace in pain.