Vancouver’s vibrant cityscape unfolded before us as Leon and I strolled down the busy street, hand in hand. The sun cast a warm glow over the city, making the day feel as perfect as I’d imagined. Leon had been so sweet, planning this lunch date, and I was looking forward to spending some quality time with him, away from the bustle of our usual routines.We arrived at a quaint little bistro tucked away in a quieter part of downtown. The aroma of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee wafted through the air as we entered. Leon held the door open for me, and I couldn’t help but smile at the small gesture—he was always so considerate. “This place is perfect,” I said, taking in the cozy ambiance. The walls were adorned with local art, and the large windows let in just the right amount of sunlight, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.“I thought you’d like it,” Leon replied, his voice soft and affectionate. He guided me to a corner table by the window, where we had a lovely view of the st
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the waterfront around us transformed into a breathtaking spectacle of vibrant pinks and purples, as if the heavens themselves were painting a portrait of our evening. The earlier tension that had lingered between Leon and me evaporated, replaced by a deep, comforting connection that seemed to grow with each step we took. The rhythmic sound of the waves kissing the shore and the cool breeze carrying the briny scent of the ocean created a serene backdrop, one that wrapped us in a peaceful cocoon of shared silence.Leon’s fingers intertwined with mine, his touch warm and reassuring. When I glanced up at him, I found his gaze already on me, his eyes filled with a tender softness that made my heart flutter."Remember when we first met?" he asked, his voice tinged with nostalgia, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.I nodded, a playful smile of my own forming as the memory rushed back. "How could I forget? You were the grumpiest patient I’d ever ha
The phone slipped from my hand, clattering to the floor as the words from Aunt Lou echoed in my mind. Hector was dead. The shock left me paralyzed, my body heavy with disbelief and despair.I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. All I could do was stare at the phone lying on the floor, the device that had delivered the news that shattered everything I had fought for.Leon, who had been sitting beside me, was already reaching for the phone. His expression shifted from concern to alarm as he picked it up. “Aunt Lou, what happened? What did you say to Margarette?” His voice was tight, anxiety lacing his words. He listened intently, his face hardening as the conversation continued.I watched him, trying to read the emotions flickering across his face, but all I could see was the mask of tension settling in. When he finally ended the call, he turned to me, his expression unreadable, but I knew the news had hit him just as hard. He didn’t need to say anything. The confirmation was in his eyes
As we sped away, my mind raced with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. The fear that Justin might already be one step ahead gnawed at me, but Leon’s unwavering determination was my anchor. “Where to next?” I asked, my voice betraying the anxiety bubbling just below the surface.Leon didn’t hesitate. “We’ll go to my contact. He’s a private investigator, one of the best in the state. If anyone can find Hector’s wife, it’s him.”The drive to the investigator’s office felt like it took an eternity, though in reality, it was only about twenty minutes. The streets of Anacortes blurred past, the town’s familiar sights taking on a more sinister tone in the dark. Every shadow felt like it was hiding something—or someone.Finally, we pulled up in front of a small, nondescript building on a quiet side street. The sign on the door read *Bennett Investigations* in faded gold letters. Leon was out of the car before it fully stopped, his urgency contagious. I followed closely, m
“I know Hector would have done the same thing if he is still alive, so for the sake of providing Justice for my husband, I will testify for you, miss Margarette.” Alexa finally replied, lighting up what I thought my dead hope for Justice.Leon and I took Alexa with us to make sure that Justin wouldn’t be able to lay a finger and harm Alexa any longer.THE FOLLOWING DAY, The rain tapped lightly against the window as we sat in the cozy sitting room of Leon’s secluded property. Alexa Turner sat across from me, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her eyes distant as if lost in thought.Leon was standing near the door, talking quietly with his secretary, giving last-minute instructions. I could tell he was trying to make sure everything was perfect, that Alexa would be comfortable and safe. But even his calm demeanor couldn’t hide the undercurrent of urgency beneath the surface.When Leon finally turned back to us, he gave me a reassuring nod. "Everything’s set. Alexa, you’ll be safe here
The drive back to our house was quiet, but the air between Leon and me was charged with unspoken thoughts. We were so close to achieving what we had set out to do—bringing justice for Hector and ending Justin’s reign of terror. But with every step forward, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.When we arrived home, the house was eerily silent. The faint sound of the night outside was the only noise that filled the space. Leon parked the car, and we both stepped out, the weight of the day still heavy on our shoulders. As we walked towards the door, I noticed how the shadows seemed to cling to the corners of the house, darker than usual. A chill ran down my spine, and I instinctively moved closer to Leon.He must have sensed my unease because he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “It’s just the nerves, Margarette. Everything’s all right, okay? There’s nothing to worry.” he reassured me, his voice a comforting anchor in the dark
“NO!!!!!!!!!!!” I screamed, my hand stretching out as though I was reaching out for something while I gasped for air.The nightmare clung to me, even as I jolted awake, my screams echoing in the car's confined space. My chest heaved, my heart racing as the terror from the dream spilled into reality. I barely registered that Leon had pulled the car to the side of the road, his concerned voice breaking through the fog of fear that clouded my mind.“Hey, what happened? Are you okay, my love?” Leon’s voice was laced with anxiety, his hand gently shaking my shoulder as I clung to him, trembling uncontrollably. I buried my face in his chest, seeking comfort in the steady beat of his heart. "I…I had a nightmare," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "It was about Justin... he was chasing us, trying to kill us. I was so scared, Leon."Leon’s arms tightened around me, his hand cradling the back of my head as he pulled me closer. "Shhh…it’s okay, it’s okay," he murmured against my ha
The afternoon stretched into evening, the tension growing with each passing hour. I jumped at every sound, my nerves on edge as the shadows outside lengthened. Finally, just as the sun began to set, I heard the sound of a car pulling up the driveway. My heart leaped into my throat as I hurried to the window, praying that it was Leon. When I saw his familiar figure stepping out of the car, relief washed over me. I rushed to the door, throwing it open just as he reached the steps.“You’re back,” I breathed, throwing my arms around him. “I was so worried…”He held me tightly, his warmth chasing away the last of my fears. “I’m back,” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “And I have good news.”I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. “What is it?”“We’ve got something,” Leon said, his eyes lighting up with a spark of hope. “It’s not much, but it’s a start. My contacts found a lead—something that could tie Justin to some of his more illegal dealings and even his m
The next time I woke, I was in an unfamiliar room.Soft, golden light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the walls. The air smelled of antiseptic and fresh linen. My body ached, a dull, pulsing pain radiating from my side, but the sharp agony from before had dulled to something more manageable.I turned my head slightly and found Leon sitting in a chair beside the bed. His elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped together, as if he’d been keeping vigil for hours. His shirt was wrinkled, stained with my blood. His face was unreadable, but his eyes—dark and stormy—held an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.“You’re awake.” His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the relief in it.I swallowed, my throat dry. “Where are we?”“A safe house,” Leon answered, leaning forward. “One of mine. Dorian’s securing the perimeter. You needed medical attention, but a hospital wasn’t an option. Too risky.”I nodded slowly, my mind still catching up. The last
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
Darkness swallowed me whole.For a moment, I thought I was dead. The gunshot still rang in my ears, deafening, all-consuming. But then, pain—sharp and searing—bloomed along my side, pulling me back from the abyss. My breath came in ragged gasps as my knees buckled, and I felt myself falling.Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.“Margarette!” Leon’s voice was raw with panic. His hands pressed against my wound, trying to staunch the bleeding. The warmth of my own blood seeped through my clothes, sticky against my skin. Dorian fired, his shot echoing through the cavernous estate.Elise let out a sharp cry, staggering back. But even as she bled, her cruel smile remained. “Not bad,” she whispered, clutching her shoulder where Dorian’s bullet had struck her. “But not enough.”Leon lifted me, his grip firm but desperate. “We need to move. Now.”“No,” I gritted out, fighting through the pain. “We finish this.”Dorian cursed. “Are you insane? You’re bleeding out!”I forced myself to
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
The safe house felt suffocating, the air thick with unspoken tension. Every second we wasted gave Vincent more time to prepare. More time to strike.I wasn’t going to let that happen.Leon stood by the table, his hands braced against the surface, muscles tight with frustration. Dorian, despite the pain from his injury, sat nearby, flipping a knife between his fingers—a habit he had when deep in thought.“We need a lead,” Leon finally said, his voice low and controlled. “We can’t storm in blind.”I paced near the window, arms crossed. “We do have a lead. This locket.” I held it up, the metal catching the dim light. “Vincent had it for a reason. He wanted me to see it. Why?”Dorian exhaled sharply. “Because he’s playing with you.”I shook my head. “No. There’s more to it. He wouldn’t go through the trouble of planting something from my past just to taunt me. He wants me to remember something.”Leon’s gaze darkened. “Then let’s start at the beginning. The night of the accident.”My throa
The salty night air carried the hum of distant ship engines and the occasional murmur of dock workers. But this wasn’t just a routine shipment—this was a calculated exchange of power, a moment that could unravel everything Elise’s father had hidden for years.I crouched behind a stack of shipping containers with Leon beside me. Dorian’s team was spread out, positioned along the pier, watching, waiting. A dark van was parked near the edge of the dock, its back doors open. Men in suits moved between the van and the cargo, transferring crates that likely held more than just money.Leon’s voice was low in my ear. “Four men on the ground, two near the van. More could be inside.”I nodded, my gaze locked on the crates. “That’s not just cash, Leon. That’s leverage. He wouldn’t move it unless he was running scared.”Dorian’s voice crackled through our earpieces. “We take them now, we risk losing the files. We wait too long, we risk backup showing up.”I made the decision before anyone else co
Dorian smirked. “Relax, lover boy. I’m not saying she’s defenseless—I’m saying we need to be smart about this.”Leon’s glare didn’t waver, but he didn’t argue either. He knew Dorian was right.I exhaled, my fingers tightening around the locket that had started all of this. “So what do we do?”Dorian sighed. “You have two choices: disappear and hope they forget about you… or go after them first.”Leon tensed beside me. “You’re suggesting we take the fight to them?”Dorian shrugged. “Elise’s father had powerful connections. Some of them might scatter now that he’s locked up, but the smart ones? They’ll wait. Watch. See what you do next.”I swallowed hard. “Then we don’t give them time to plan.”Leon turned to me, his expression dark. “You’re sure about this?”I met his gaze. “I didn’t come this far just to hide.”Dorian grinned. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”Alexa shifted uncomfortably. “I wish I had your courage.”I reached for her hand. “You have more than you think.”She gave
The night before our departure, I barely slept. The weight of the locket pressed against my collarbone, a silent reminder that my past was no longer buried—it was clawing its way back to the surface.Leon must have sensed my restlessness because he found me in the kitchen before dawn, staring into my untouched cup of coffee.“You’re thinking too much.”I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head. “You always say that.”“Because it’s always true.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Second thoughts?”“No,” I said. “Just… doubts. What if I don’t find the answers I’m looking for? What if I’m just chasing ghosts?”Leon studied me for a long moment before stepping closer, his fingers grazing the locket at my neck. “Then we chase them together.”My chest tightened at the quiet intensity in his voice.Before I could respond, Dorian’s voice cut through the stillness. “Time to go.”The drive to the estate was long and silent. Alexa had insisted on coming, despite her injuries. She
The moment Elise’s father whistled, chaos erupted. Gunfire cracked through the air, sending dock workers scattering. Shadows moved between the containers—his men, heavily armed and ready.Leon pulled me behind a stack of crates as bullets ricocheted off the metal. “Dorian, how many?”Dorian’s voice came sharp through the earpiece. “At least eight. They were waiting for you.”I clenched my teeth. Of course, he knew we’d come.Leon checked his ammo. “We need to take them out before he reaches the cargo ship.”I exhaled, steadying my grip on my gun. “Then let’s end this.”Leon moved first, stepping out just long enough to fire three quick shots. A grunt of pain echoed through the night. One down.Dorian’s rifle cracked, taking out another.I kept close to the containers, listening—waiting. A figure rushed toward me. I ducked just as he swung a knife, feeling the blade slice the air above my head.Without hesitation, I drove my elbow into his ribs, twisting his wrist until the knife clatt