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
She staggered once more, but Haven caught her, his hold solid and consoling. "I’ve got you," he whispered. They pushed on, each step taking them more profound into the thick of the timberland. The yells behind them developed fainter, more disappointed. Haven’s heart lifted marginally. Perhaps they had picked up a few paces behind them. But they couldn't bear to stop. Not, however. "Are you alright?" Haven inquired, looking at her. She gestured, in spite of the fact that her face was pale, and her breathing heavy. "I'm okay," she answered, assurance flickering in her eyes. “Just keep going." Haven gave a tight-lipped grin. "That's my girl." Abruptly, an uproarious split resounded through the trees. A discharge. Both of them solidified, their breath catching in their throats. "They're shooting!" She whispered, her voice trembling. "Remain low," Haven. said,pulling her down behind a thick bush. "They’re just attempting to scare us." "Well, it's working," Alexis murmured, clutching h
“Please,” Haven wheezed, pushing the door wider. “We’re being chased. We need help.” The woman’s eyes broadened as she saw their fear-stricken faces. She looked past them, saw the dull figures drawing nearer through the trees, and her expression solidified. “Get inside,” she said, pulling the door open more extensively. “Quickly!” Haven and his wife ran in, and the lady hammered the door closed behind them, locking it with a speedy turn of her wrist. “They won’t get in here,” she said, her voice calm and unfaltering. “I’ve got a rifle, and I know how to use it.” “Thank you,” she whispered, tears of relief gushing down her face. “Thank you so much.” The lady gestured, her eyes sharp and evaluating. “We got to call the police,” she said, moving toward a little table where an old-fashioned landline phone sat. “They’ll handle this.” Haven gestured, still catching his breath. Outside , they seemed to listen to Matthew and Damon yelling, their voices developing fainter as they realized th
Detective Harris held up a hand to halt him. "Calm down," he said calmly. "Let's start from the beginning. Who are these men, and why did they take you?" Haven traded a look with his wife before proceeding. "Damon… he's somebody I used to know, years ago. We grew up within the same neighbourhood, and ran within the same circles. But at that point he got blended up in a few awful things. Drugs, betting, that sort of thing. We lost touch after I cleaned up my act." "And Matthew?" Harris squeezed. "He’s my best companion but presently it’s all gone," Haven conceded. "He’s dangerous. They both are. They came out of nowhere, snatched her off the road. Said something about a contract, debt and being jealous… I don’t owe them anything, but Matthew… he was continuously obsessed with exact rebellion, continuously had a few scores to settle." Detective Harris gestured gradually, taking notes on a small cushion. "And you got away, how?" Haven's eyes glinted with gratitude. "They let their gu
The precinct was buzzing with movement as Detective Harris arrived at her work area. A cold, gray light sifted through the blinds, casting long shadows over the room. She tasted her coffee, trusting the caffeine would kick in before long. The past few weeks had been tenacious, ever since the endeavoured kidnapping of Haven and Alexis. But nowadays, there was a distinctive vitality within the air, a sense of looming determination. “Harris,” her accomplice, Detective Sam, called from over the room. He was holding a file in one hand and his phone within the other, his expression a blend of horrid assurance and expectation. “They’ve got them.” Harris’s heart skipped a beat. “Matthew and Damon?” Sam gestured. “Both of them. SWAT picked them up around an hour before. They're holding them now.” Harris put down her coffee and got her coat. “Let’s go.” The drive to the station where Matthew and Damon were being held was tense. Sam explored the roads with the ease of somebody who’d done it
Barnes inclined forward, detecting an opportunity. “Why don’t you let me know what happened? Possibly we will figure something out.” Damon faltered, looking at his legal counselor, who gestured marginally. “It was Matthew’s idea,” he started, his voice unstable. “He said we may make a lot of cash if we kidnapped Haven and Alexis. Said somebody was willing to pay an enormous amount for them.” Barnes gestured, empowering him to proceed. “Who was willing to pay? Who hired you?” Damon shook his head. “I don’t know. Matthew never told me. He just said we’d get paid once we had them.” “Did you see anybody? Listen to anything that might tell us who was behind this?” Barnes squeezed. Damon scowled, attempting to keep in mind. “There was a phone call. Matthew took it while we were planning. I couldn’t listen much, but he said a name… somebody named ‘Riley.’” “Riley?” Barnes rehashed, making a note. “Anything else?” Damon shook his head. “That’s all I know, I swear.” Within the percepti
Alexis considered him, her look narrowing as she attempted to peruse the feelings that flashed over his face. She had seen the same constrained grin each day for the past few weeks, a fragile cover that he wore to keep her at a distance. She knew something was wrong, but Haven had been so closed off recently, his activities whimsical and his mind somewhere else. He was continuously diverted, continuously lost in a few faraway thoughts that he wouldn’t share with her. It harmed, feeling like he was slipping absent. “You’ve been like this for days now,” Alexis said, her voice tinged with concern. “You barely eat, you’re continuously lost in your head, and I can’t keep in mind the last time you rested through the night. What’s going on, Haven?” Haven rubbed the back of his neck, the pressure coiling more tightly with each word she talked. He needed to tell her, to just get it all out, but the words stuck in his throat like spiked glass. How could he clarify the nightmares? How could he
Haven felt the pressure in his muscles gradually start to ease, the beating in his head reducing to a gloomy throb. He wasn’t mystically recuperated, and he knew the bad dreams would likely proceed, but having Alexis by his side made the burden a little less demanding to bear. After a long minute, Alexis pulled back marginally, her hands still resting on his arms. “How about we take a day off?” she proposed, a little grin pulling at her lips. “Just the two of us. We should go for a walk, get a few new air, and possibly snatch lunch at that small café you like. No work, no push, just… us.” Haven’s lips jerked into a reluctant grin, to begin with a veritable one he had overseen in days. “Yeah,” he agreed, his voice a bit steadier. “I’d like that.” Alexis gave him a consoling press before venturing back, her hand slipping into his. “We’ll get through this, haven,” she said, her voice firm. “Whatever it takes.” As they made their way out of the room, Haven looked back at the crumpled
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