The line went dead once more, and Haven felt a surge of dissatisfaction and defenselessness. But at the moment, he had a clue—his wife was in a warehouse, and there were machines. It wasn’t much to develop on, but it was something. He called Matthew once more, telling what his wife had told him. “That’s a start,” Matthew said. “There are a couple of mechanical ranges within the city that fit that description. I’ll get some individuals to check them out. Meanwhile , we got to make a move on that call. We can’t bear to squander any time.” Haven concurred, in spite of the fact that his mind was already racing ahead to what he would do another. He knew that Damon would be observing, holding up for him to create the declaration. He needed to purchase more time, but he too was needed to act rapidly. The city was washed within the passing on light of the late evening, casting long shadows that appeared to increase with the pressure brewing between Haven and Matthew. The two men stood on th
Matthew murmured, running a hand through his hair. He could feel the weight of the circumstance squeezing down on him, the direness of the ticking clock in the back of his mind. "I get that, man. But think about this: why hasn’t Damon as of now hurt her? He’s holding up for you because he needs you. He needs something from you, something more than just your life. If we are able to figure out what that's , perhaps we can turn the tables on him." Haven closed his eyes, considering Matthew’s words. Damon was nothing if not calculated, continuously a step ahead within the games he played. But Haven couldn’t shake the fear that this time, the stakes were as well high, the results as well desperate. "You think he’s bluffing?" Matthew shook his head. "No. Damon doesn’t bluff. But he’s got a plan, and if we can figure out what it is, we could be able to defeat him on our own." Haven remained noiseless, his mind a whirlwind of clashing considerations and feelings. He needed to accept Mat
"Let's get through this." The warehouse was an antique of the city’s mechanical past, a gigantic, rotting structure that lingered over the encompassing neighborhood like an apparition from another time. The windows were boarded up, and the light came from a couple of scattered road lights that scarcely punctured the obscurity. Haven and Matthew arrived just some time before 9 PM. The road was frightfully calm, the kind of silence that felt unnatural in a city that was as a rule so lively. Haven ’s heart beat in his chest as they drew nearer the entrance, a gigantic metal door that looked like it hadn’t been used in a long time.Haven came out of his car, the rock crunching beneath his feet as he balanced the collar of his coat. His sende were on alert, each strand of his hair mindful of the peril that hidden within the obscurity. The wind yelled through the broken windows, carrying with it a cold metallic fragrance that made his stomach turn. It had been weeks since his wife had be
But he wasn’t about to go down without a battle. His eyes dashed around the room, looking for any conceivable elude courses, but the men had him trapped. He would have to think quickly. “You’re unsurprising, Haven,” Damon continued, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “Always thinking you'll be able to solve everything along with your fists. But this time, you’re in over your head.” Haven’s jaw fixed as he met Damon’s look. “If you’ve harm her, I swear—” “You’ll what?” Damon hindered, his tone taunting. “You’re in no position to give out threats, old friend. But don’t stress, I haven’t harmed her. Yet.” Haven’s blood bubbled at Damon’s words, but he constrained himself to remain calm. He couldn’t bear to lose his cool, not now. He needed to discover a way out of this mess, and fast. “What do you need, Damon?” Haven inquired, his voice unfaltering in spite of the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Damon tilted his head, imagining to consider the address. “What do I want?” he
Haven’s heart skipped a beat as Damon signaled to the door. Two of Damon’s men appeared, dragging a figure into the room. Haven’s breath caught in his throat as he recognized the disheveled shape of his spouse. Her dress was torn, and her face was bruised, but she was alive. Haven’s heart hurt as he took in her look, the torment in her eyes breaking his resolve. He battled to his feet, his whole body trembling with seethe and help. “Babe!” he called out, his voice dry. Alexis lifted her head, her eyes filled with tears as she met his look. “Haven,” she whispered, her voice scarcely capable of being heard. Damon observed the get-together with a turned smile, his arms crossed over his chest. “Touching, isn’t it.” Haven's breath came in shallow as he tried to keep his vision in a faintly lit passage. The cold, stone dividers squeezed in on him, and the harsh haziness appeared to swallow him entire. His heart beat in his chest like a war drum, resounding within the hush. He had mispl
"Matthew, I swear to you, I do not know anything about what you are talking about," Haven said, his voice unfaltering in spite of the fear biting at his internal parts. "Damon never came to me, and I have nothing to do with anything he took from you." Matthew's expression obscured, and he came into his coat, pulling out a gun. He pointed it at Haven, his hand relentless. "You expect me to believe that?" Matthew murmured. "After all this time, after all the lies and trickery? I trusted you, Haven. I trusted you more than anybody, and you did me dirty in multiple ways. It's always you taking the spotlight, having everything right, taking my girl, and you expect me to be cool with that." .Haven's mind went into a frenzy as he contemplated how to escape from this nightmare.It was necessary for him to escort his wife through the men outside of the warehouse, but with Matthew blocking his exit and a weapon in his hand, any sudden changes could potentially be fatal. "Matthew, listen to m
The cramped room was cold, the air overwhelming with the fragrance of anxiety and fear. The dim light from a single bulb glinted overhead, casting faint shadows on the broken concrete dividers. Haven couldn’t really see his spouse, but he could listen to her laboured breathing from over the room. He strained against the ropes that bound his wrists to the chair, his muscles throbbing from hours of battle. His eyes looked around the room, looking for any sign of an escape. "Matthew, what the hell is going on?" Haven's voice was blunt, filled with outrage and perplexity. Matthew ventured forward, his face in part lit up. He had a bizarre, nearly fulfilled see in his eyes, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You don’t get it, do you, Haven? You never did.” She blended in her chair, lifting her head somewhat. “Why are you doing this?” she inquired, her voice trembling. Matthew walked closer, his look settled on her. “Because, I've continuously loved you always and forever. Eve
Damon’s face was obscured. “Think? Are you joking with me? You dragged me into this mess, and now you need to back out?” Matthew took a deep breath, venturing back. “I’m not backing out. I just… I just want to be sure it’s done right.” Haven’s mind hustled. He could see Matthew’s struggle, the breaks in his aura. He needed to keep pushing, to abuse that instability. “You know this isn’t right, Matthew,” he encouraged. “You’re way better than this.” Matthew’s eyes flashed with outrage. “Better? Better than what, Haven? Better than you, who has everything?” Haven’s wife leaned forward, straining against her bonds. “Matthew, please… you’ve been our companion for so long. Don’t toss it all away for this.” For a minute, Matthew appeared to falter, his eyes softening. But at that point Damon, detecting his hesitation, seized his arm. “Get a hold, man. You need him gone, or don’t you?” Matthew pulled his arm free, a flash of resistance in his expression. “I need him to know what it’s l
For a long, tense minute, none of them moved. Alexis stood at the door, her chest hurling, her eyes bolted on Haven. The air felt thick, charged with feeling, as if time had halted through and through. “Alexis…” Haven at last overseen, his voice breaking marginally as he said her title. He took a little step toward her, but she took a bigger one back. “Don’t.” Alexis’ voice was scarcely over a whisper, but the constraint behind it was unmistakable. She felt numb, but underneath that deadness was an outrage so furious she thought she might detonate if she didn’t say something, anything. “Don’t you dare take another step.” Havensolidified, his face falling. He looked nearly terrible now, standing in the center of the room, caught between his wife and his ex. “Alexis, I—” “What the hell did I just walk in on?” Alexis’ voice broke, and for a minute, she thought she might lose control and collapse into wails right at that point and there. But she bit down hard on her lip, constraining
Alexis looked at his face, her lips squeezed into a lean line. She needed to accept him. She needed to accept that things may go back to how they were some time ago. But part of her was still afraid…. afraid that this was just the starting of something that might break them. “I don’t know in case I can just believe that,” Alexis said unobtrusively. “I need more than words, Haven.” Haven nodded gradually, pressing her hands. “I know. I’ll show it to you. I’ll make this right.” Alexis looked down at their interlaced hands, her heart throbbing with the weight of everything that had happened. She needed to believe him, to believe that they may settle this. But she moreover knew that it wouldn’t be simple. It wouldn’t be settled overnight.“Okay,” she whispered, her voice faltering. “But don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Haven lifted her hands to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. “I won’t. I swear.” Alexis closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his touch, the truthfulness in his
As long as they were talking, she lamented it, but it was late. Haven’s expression obscured, and he took a step back, as if her words had physically hit him. “Are you for real right now?” he inquired discreetly. His voice was low, controlled, but Alexis may hear the hurt underneath it. “You think I still have feelings for Vanessa?” Alexis looked away, her throat tight. She didn’t know what to say. She had no proof, no genuine reason to accept that he still loved Vanessa. But the fear, the frailty, had taken root deep in her chest, and it wouldn’t let go. Haven shook his head, letting out a baffled breath. “This isn’t about me having feelings for her. Vanessa is wiped out. She’s frightened. She’s alone in this, and I can’t just turn my back on her.” “You can’t turn your back on her, but you'll turn your back on me?” Alexis inquired, her voice trembling with emotion. “Do you indeed realise what this is doing to us? To me? I’ve been here, holding up, stressing, pondering where you're
His marriage to Alexis had continuously been great, but this minute right now was digging up questions and questions he didn’t know how to reply. Could Vanessa truly be telling the truth? "Haven." Vanessa’s voice was soft, arguing. "I need you, just for a couple of days while I recoup. I don’t have anybody else." When Haven at last came home that night, Alexis was waiting for him in the living room, her arms crossed firmly over her chest. The minute she saw him, she stood up, her face pale and strained. "Well?" Alexis requested. "What did she say?" "She’s hurt, Alexis. Her lower leg is sprained, and the doctor said it could’ve been more awful if she’d landed in an unexpected way.""That’s not what I implied, Haven," Alexis snapped. "Did she say anything else? Is she still accusing me?" Haven’s quiet was quick enough. Alexis tossed her hands up in scepticism. "I can’t believe you! You’re really believing her?" "I’m not saying I believe her," Haven answered, his voice rigid with
Vanessa’s loft was as if it were a ten-minute drive, but it felt like an endlessness as Haven's mind ran through the conceivable outcomes. When he at long last pulled into the park, his heart crashed in his chest. He found her front door somewhat unlatched. "Vanessa?" Haven pushed it open cautiously. Inside, he found her on the floor at the foot of the stairs, jumping in torment as she clutched her lower leg. The scene was chaotic, a chair upside down, her purse spilled over the floor, and one of her shoes lying midway down the stairs. Vanessa’s face was pale, her breathing shallow. "Jesus, Vanessa," Haven murmured, hurrying to her side. "What the hell happened?" She looked up at him with wide, tear-streaked eyes. "Alexis," she whispered. Haven solidified. "What? What around Alexis?" "She was here," Vanessa said, her voice trembling. "She pushed me." Haven gazed at her in incredulity. "Alexis wouldn't, she wouldn’t do that!"Vanessa’s eyes are somewhat limited. "She did, Haven.
Alexis observed as he wrote angrily, his face lit up by the screen. She knew Haven would do anything to keep her safe, and the thought gave her a little degree of consolation. But the fear was still there, prowling just underneath the surface. As Haven worked, Alexis found herself replaying the call in her mind. The sound of the breathing, the ominous silence… It all felt so thick, so individual. She shuddered, pulling the cover on the sofa more tightly around herself. “What if they’re trying to frighten me?” she inquired, her voice scarcely over a whisper. Haven looked up from the tablet, his expression genuine. “Then they’ve succeeded. But we’re not going to let them keep you frightened. We’ll get to the root of this.” He returned his face to the screen, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he explored through distinctive websites and gatherings, searching for any device that may help to trace the call.Hours passed, the night getting darker and calmer, but not one or the othe
Alexis had continuously been a solid lady, one who didn’t effectively frighten. But this… this was different. It wasn’t just the quiet; it was the feeling that came with it, like somebody was observing her, like she was being chased. She shook her head, trying to expel the thought. She needed to tell Haven. He would know what to do. He always knew what to do. Haven was in the living room, his feet propped up on the coffee table, observing a late-night ball amusement. The soft flash of the tv cast shadows over his face, but he took note of Alexis the minute she entered the room. "Hello angel, you okay?" he inquired, his eyes narrowing with concern as he noticed her pale face and wide eyes. He quieted the TV and turned his full attention to her. Alexis gulped hard, trying to find her voice. “Haven… something bizarre just happened.” He quickly stood up, his huge outline towering over her as he took her hands in his. “What happened, Lex? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “I… I got
Haven considered her for a minute, clearly not persuaded, but he didn’t thrust it. He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, pressing tenderly. “You’ve been working yourself out of late. Come on, let’s get to bed. You should get a few rest.” She gestured, thankful for the pardon to elude the uneasy contemplations whirling in her mind. “Yeah, you’re right. Let me just wrap up here.” Haven kissed her on the chin and headed back upstairs. Alexis observed him go, the warmth of his touch waiting on her skin, but the fear still chewing at her inner parts. She rapidly wrapped up folding the clothing, her hands moving mechanically as her mind began to race. When she was done, she turned off the lights on the ground floor and made her way to the room. Haven was as of now in bed, flipping through the channels on the TV with a sight of boredom on his face. Alexis slipped into the bathroom, sprinkling cold water on her face, trusting it would wash away the unease that clung to her
Alexis was in the centre of folding the final stack of clothing when her phone buzzed on the countertop. She’d had a long day, filled with errands, chores. It was about 11 p.m. She rubbed her chin, feeling the fatigue throb that continuously appeared to crawl up when she was overtired. But the sight of her phone vibrating once more drew her thoughts back to it. She picked up the phone, anticipating it to be one of her friends, likely Trina or Melissa, sending late-night messages about something unimportant. The screen showed an obscure number. A cold shudder ran down her spine, but she dismissed it, considering it could be a robocall. Still, something made her falter. After a minute, she swiped to reply to the call and lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”There was a delay, and for a minute, she thought the call might have been a mistake. But at that point, she listened to it, a swoon, nearly subtle breath on the other end of the line. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Sh