Chapter 13

Sienna's POV

The club's neon lights flickered behind me as I stepped out onto the darkening street. Dusk had settled in quicker than I’d realized. I had been so engrossed in the fun and how much I had missed it. I had forgotten I was a missing person – literally. My earlier sense of freedom was now replaced by a growing anxiety.

"I need to get back," I muttered to myself, pulling my hoodie tighter around me.

The streets were quieter now, the occasional car zooming past. As I walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. It started as a whisper of a sensation at the back of my neck, but it grew stronger with every step.

I glanced over my shoulder, and there he was—the same man from the club, the one in the hoodie. He was trailing behind me, his pace steady and deliberate.

"Don’t panic, Sienna," I whispered, quickening my steps.

I took a few sharp turns, hoping to lose him, but every time I glanced back, he was still there. My heartbeat hammered in my ears as I tried to calm the rising panic.

"Hey!" I called out to no one in particular; my voice louder than I intended. "Can someone help me?"

The streets were empty.

I turned another corner and stumbled into a narrow alley, cursing myself immediately. The man was faster than I expected, closing the distance in seconds. Before I could scream, he grabbed me from behind, his hand clamping over my mouth.

"Quiet," he hissed, dragging me backward.

I struggled, kicking and thrashing as hard as I could. My muffled cries filled the alley, but no one was around to hear them.

Just when I thought all was lost, a familiar voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

"Let her go!"

Harry appeared out of nowhere!

The man holding me barely had time to react before Harry yanked him back, throwing a punch so hard that it echoed off the alley walls. The man staggered but didn’t give up, lunging at Harry with a knife.

"Stay down, or this ends badly for you," Harry growled.

The fight was brutal but quick. Harry was faster, stronger, and clearly more experienced. Within minutes, the man was on the ground, groaning in pain.

Harry turned to me, his face a mix of anger and concern. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, still too shaken to speak.

"Good," he muttered, pulling out his phone and calling for backup. "Let’s get you home."

The ride back to the house was tense. I sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window as Harry drove in silence.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. "How did you find me?"

Harry didn’t look at me, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "You think we don’t have trackers on you?"

My eyes widened. "Trackers?"

He sighed, clearly exasperated. "Max wanted to make sure you were safe. He figured you’d try something reckless eventually."

I bit my lip, guilt washing over me. "I’m sorry, Harry. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble."

He glanced at me briefly, his expression softening. "You’re lucky I got there in time. That could’ve ended very differently."

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

He grunted in response, his frustration still evident. "I should call Mr. Hollandale, but..."

"But what?"

"If I tell him, he’ll think I’m incompetent for letting you get out in the first place," Harry admitted. "And believe me, that’s not a conversation I want to have."

I stayed quiet, my mind racing.

Who would want to kidnap me? And why?

When we pulled into the driveway, I noticed another car parked near the entrance. My stomach sank.

"Max is back," Harry said, his tone grim.

I groaned. "He wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow."

Harry parked the car, and we both stepped out. The front door opened, and there he was—Max, standing in the doorway, his expression thunderous.

"Care to explain what’s going on?" he asked, his voice dangerously calm.

Harry and I exchanged a glance.

"I’ll handle this," I said quickly, stepping forward.

Max’s gaze flicked to Harry. "Inside. Now."

Harry hesitated but followed Max into the house.

In the living room, Max turned to Harry first. "Start talking."

Harry sighed. "There was... an incident. Miss Brooks left the house without permission. I tracked her and found her just in time."

Max’s jaw tightened. "What kind of incident?"

"She was almost kidnapped," Harry admitted reluctantly.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Max turned to me, his eyes blazing. "You what?"

"I’m fine," I said quickly. "Harry got there in time."

"That’s not the point, Sienna!" Max exploded. "You put yourself and my child at risk!"

"I needed to get out," I snapped. "I can’t stay locked up in this house forever!"

Max took a step closer, his anger palpable. "You think this is a game? Do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you?"

"I didn’t ask to be kidnapped!" I shot back. "And maybe if you didn’t treat me like a prisoner, I wouldn’t have felt the need to leave!"

"Unbelievable," Max muttered, running a hand through his hair. He turned back to Harry. "You’re suspended. Effective immediately."

"Max, no!" I protested. "This wasn’t his fault!"

"He was supposed to keep you safe," Max said coldly. "And clearly, he failed."

Harry didn’t argue, just nodded stiffly and left the room.

I glared at Max. "That wasn’t fair."

"Fair?" he repeated, his voice low and furious. "You almost got yourself killed, Sienna. You’re lucky I didn’t lock you in your room."

I threw my hands up. "Oh, great. That’s your solution? Just lock me away like some kind of doll?"

"If that’s what it takes to keep you and my child safe, then yes," he said, his tone cutting. "From now on, you don’t leave this house. Not for any reason. Is that clear?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped me.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "But you can’t control me forever, Max."

"Watch me," he said, turning on his heel and walking out.