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 hours after Leon's departure felt like an eternity. Each tick of the clock echoed in the quiet mansion, a reminder of the time slipping away. The flash drive in my hand felt heavier with every passing minute, as if it held the weight of our entire future.I tried to distract myself by checking on Olivia, who was sitting quietly in the guest room, her face pale but determined. We exchanged a few words, but the tension in the air made conversation difficult. We both knew what was at stake.The night wore on, the oppressive silence broken only by the occasional creak of the house settling. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each more terrifying than the last. I kept reminding myself that Leon was strong, resourceful, and had faced danger before. But this time felt different. The stakes were higher, and the risks were greater.Around midnight, just as I was beginning to doze off, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. I jolted awake, heart pounding as I snatched it up, praying it