The urgency in Leon’s voice pulled me out of my stunned silence. William stepped forward, his stance protective as he looked between Leon and me.“Start from the beginning,” William demanded, his tone sharp.Leon ignored him, his piercing gaze fixed on me. “Margarette, pack what you need. We don’t have time to explain everything.”William’s hand shot out, gripping Leon’s arm. “She’s not going anywhere until you tell us what’s going on.”The tension between them was palpable, a crackling energy that seemed ready to explode. I stepped between them, my arms outstretched to separate them before things escalated.“Enough!” I shouted, my voice breaking through their heated stares. “Both of you need to calm down.”Leon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been digging into Justin’s activities since we returned. He’s not just after the properties, Margarette—he’s targeting you personally. That man showing up here tonight? That’s his way of warning you he’s watching.”Willia
I stood frozen on the porch, the ominous glow of the taillights disappearing into the night. My fingers clenched my phone tightly as the message burned into my mind. I couldn’t let fear paralyze me, not now.The door creaked open behind me, and William’s voice broke the silence. “Margarette? What’s going on?”I turned to him, struggling to steady my breathing. “There was a car. Someone sent me a message. They’re watching us.”His expression darkened instantly, his eyes scanning the street. “Get inside. Now.”Inside, I recounted the events to both William and Leon. They exchanged a glance—tense, calculating.“This isn’t just intimidation anymore,” Leon said, pacing the room. “They’re escalating. We need to strike first before they get bolder.”“We’re not going to act recklessly,” William countered. “We need a plan, not some impulsive move that’ll get us all killed.”Leon scoffed. “And sitting around waiting for them to make the next move isn’t reckless? Great strategy, William.”“Enoug
The aftermath of the encounter at the distillery lingered in the air like a storm refusing to break. Leon and William argued as we made our way back to the safe house, their voices rising and clashing like thunder. I sat in the back seat, my hands trembling as I replayed Justin's chilling smirk in my mind.“Why the hell didn’t you stick to the plan?” William barked, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.Leon shot him a glare from the passenger seat. “The plan changed when she decided to chase Justin. I wasn’t going to stand back and let her get herself killed.”“I don’t need either of you deciding what I can or can’t do!” I snapped, my voice cutting through their argument.Both of them fell silent, their eyes flickering to me in the rearview mirror.“This isn’t about your rivalry or your ego. This is about stopping Justin before he hurts anyone else. If you two can’t work together, then stay out of my way.”Back at the safe house, Leon pulled me aside, his expression gr
The next morning, the events of the previous night weighed heavily on my mind. The envelope with Justin’s chilling message sat on the kitchen counter, a constant reminder of how far he was willing to go.Leon and William had taken shifts patrolling the perimeter, neither willing to leave me unguarded. Their unspoken rivalry was suffocating, but I didn’t have the energy to address it again. Instead, I found myself dialing Aunt Lou’s number, seeking the comfort only she could provide.When I arrived at Aunt Lou’s cozy house, the familiar scent of baked goods and lavender soap filled the air. Lena and Letty were already there, their faces lighting up when they saw me.“Margarette! It’s been ages,” Letty exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.Lena joined in, her smile warm. “You look exhausted. Sit down, we’ll make tea.”Aunt Lou appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her sharp eyes immediately noticed the strain on my face. “What’s wrong, dear? You look like you haven
Restless sleep had been my unwelcome companion all night, leaving me irritable and uneasy the next day. The warmth of my family—Aunt Lou, my cousins—was comforting, but not enough to erase the lingering weight of my nightmare.By evening, that sense of unease had wormed its way back, stronger than ever. I clung to the chatter of my cousins and Aunt Lou’s calm presence, hoping their energy would drown out the echo of fear looping in my mind. Yet, no matter how much I tried to shake it off, a nagging feeling clung to me—like eyes were watching from the shadows.After dinner, I sat with Aunt Lou in the living room. The fire crackled softly, casting warm flickers of light on the walls. I hugged my knees to my chest, trying to ignore the churn in my stomach.“You’ve been quieter than usual today,” Aunt Lou said, setting down her knitting and looking at me with concern. “Is something bothering you?”I hesitated. Should I tell her? Would she think I was losing my grip? But Aunt Lou was the on
The air between Leon and me was thick with tension, but it wasn’t the kind born solely of fear or uncertainty—it was the unresolved thread of emotions that had tethered us to each other, despite everything. As we sat in that quiet café, plotting how to confront the darkness of Justin’s schemes, the charged silence was impossible to ignore.After hashing out the next steps, Leon leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that made my breath hitch. His fingers drummed lightly on the table, and when he spoke, his voice was softer, almost hesitant.“You’ve been through so much, Margarette. I hate that I couldn’t protect you from all of it.”I looked down, trying to ignore the way his words stirred something in me. “You don’t have to protect me, Leon. I’m not some damsel in distress.”A small smile curved his lips. “I know you’re not. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to try.”I opened my mouth to respond, but he reached across the table, his warm hand brushing against mine.
The drive was quiet, the tension between us thick yet not uncomfortable. I watched the passing trees and fields, my curiosity growing as we ventured farther from town. Finally, we arrived at a secluded clearing near the edge of a lake. The moonlight danced across the water, and the soft chirping of crickets filled the air.“What is this place?” I asked as I stepped out of the car.“It’s where I come to think,” Leon said, walking around to join me. “I used to come here when things got too overwhelming. It’s peaceful.”I looked out at the lake, the stillness of the water mirroring the calm I so desperately craved. “It’s beautiful,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
The night air was thick with tension as I paced the length of Leon’s living room, my thoughts racing in chaotic loops. Alexa was gone. Taken. And every second that ticked by felt like a countdown to her doom.“We can’t just sit here!” I snapped, glaring at Leon as he poured over the latest intel on his laptop. “She’s out there, terrified, and we’re… we’re just… doing nothing!”Leon’s head shot up, his dark eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and determination. “Do you think this is easy for me, Margarette? Sitting here, knowing she’s in danger? I’m doing everything I can to find her.”“Well, it’s not enough!” I crossed my arms over my chest, my voice cracking. “We need to be out there looking for her, not… not waiting for some magical clue to fall into our laps.”“Enough.” His tone was sharp, cutting through my panic. He stood, towering over me, his presence commanding. “You think I don’t feel the weight of this? That I don’t know what’s at stake?”“Then act like it!” I shouted ba
The days that followed were peaceful but filled with an undercurrent of anticipation. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something I needed to do—something unfinished. It had been haunting me for weeks, but now, with Justin’s shadow gone and Leon by my side, I knew it was time.“Leon,” I began one quiet evening, as we sat by the fire. He looked up from the book he was reading, his dark eyes softening the moment they met mine.“What is it?” he asked, setting the book aside.I hesitated, my fingers playing with the hem of my sweater. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”He frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his face. “Who?”“You’ll see,” I said, standing and holding out my hand. “Come with me.”Without hesitation, Leon took my hand, his trust in me unwavering. I led him out to the car, the cool night air brushing against us as we drove into town. The roads were quiet, the streetlights casting long shadows that danced as we passed.We arrived at a small park just out
The clock struck midnight as I arrived at the abandoned warehouse, the location Justin had specified. The air was damp and heavy, the only sounds the distant hum of the city and my own racing heartbeat. I had slipped away from Helena, leaving behind a note promising to be careful, though I knew she wouldn’t forgive me for this reckless decision.The large metal doors creaked as I pushed them open, revealing a dimly lit interior. In the center of the room stood Justin, flanked by two of his men. Behind them, Leon was tied to a chair, his face battered but his eyes sharp and alert. The sight of him sent a wave of relief and fury crashing over me.“Well, well,” Justin drawled, his smirk as cruel as ever. “The damsel arrives. Punctual, I must say.”“Let him go,” I demanded, stepping forward despite the fear coursing through me. “I’m here, just like you wanted. This ends tonight.”“Oh, it will,” Justin replied, pulling a knife from his pocket and twirling it lazily. “But not the way you th
My heart froze as his words sank in. He wasn’t just after Leon—he wanted me. Before anyone could react, Justin’s men stormed in, their presence throwing the room into chaos. Leon moved like lightning, tackling one of them as William engaged another.Helena appeared in the doorway, clutching a laptop. “We’ve got the files uploaded!” she shouted. “But we need to move now!”Leon turned to me, his expression desperate. “Go with Helena. I’ll find you.”“No!” I cried, panic gripping me. “I’m not leaving you behind!”Justin’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “Run all you want, Margarette, but you can’t hide. I always get what I want.”Leon’s fist connected with Justin’s jaw in a blur of motion, sending him staggering back. “You’ll never touch her,” Leon snarled, his voice venomous.Helena grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the back exit. “Come on!” she urged. “We don’t have time!”I hesitated, torn between fleeing and staying to fight. Leon’s gaze met mine, and in that split second,
The ominous text on my phone screen felt like a knife twisting in my chest. My fingers trembled as I stared at the words, the weight of the decision Justin was forcing on me suffocating. Choose wisely? What did he mean? What was the game he was playing now?I bolted upright and paced the room, my breaths shallow as panic clawed at the edges of my composure. Every fiber of my being screamed that this wasn’t just about me anymore—it never had been. Justin was a master manipulator, and his threat wasn’t idle.A soft knock at the door snapped me out of my spiral. I opened it to find Leon standing there, his disheveled appearance and the dark circles under his eyes a stark contrast to his usual confidence. He didn’t say anything, just stepped inside and closed the door behind him.“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low and steady, but his eyes sharp as they searched mine.I hesitated, clutching my phone tightly. “It’s Justin,” I finally said, showing him the message.Leon’s expression dar
Back at Leon’s secluded estate, the air was heavy with tension. The security team was doubled, every window and door meticulously checked and locked. Leon’s protective streak was in full force, and I could see the weight of the situation bearing down on him.“Here,” he said, handing me a glass of water as we sat in his study. The room, usually a place of calm and strategy, now felt like a fortress under siege.“Thank you,” I murmured, taking the glass. I watched him pace, his movements restless and charged. “Leon…”He stopped, turning to face me. His dark eyes held a mix of anger, worry, and something else—something deeper that he rarely let surface. “You don’t have to thank me, Margarette. Protecting you isn’t a favor. It’s what I’m supposed to do.”“But this isn’t just about me,” I said, standing to face him. “Justin’s targeting everyone I care about. You, my family, even William and Helena—he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”Leon stepped closer, his presence grounding me. “
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of William’s words hitting me like a freight train. My family. Justin was targeting my family. The thought sent a jolt of fear and fury through me, my heart pounding in my chest.Leon’s face hardened, his jaw clenched as he stepped closer to William. “What does the message say?” His voice was low and deadly, carrying an unspoken promise of retribution.William handed over his phone, his expression grim. Leon read the message aloud, each word slicing through the air like a knife.“If you want to keep Margarette’s loved ones safe, you’ll stop meddling. The clock is ticking.”I felt my knees weaken, but I forced myself to stay upright. My mind raced, trying to process the implications of Justin’s threat. My parents. My sister. Everyone I cared about. They were all in danger because of me.“Margarette,” Leon said softly, his tone a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his eyes. He reached out, his hand steady and warm on my shoulder. “We’ll
The morning light was deceptive in its warmth, casting a golden hue over the chaos that still swirled within me. Justin’s voice echoed in my mind, his words a cruel reminder that peace was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.I sat on the edge of Leon’s bed, watching his chest rise and fall in steady rhythm. He was still asleep, his face pale and bruised, but there was a tranquility in his expression that eased some of the tension coiled within me.Alexa was safe for now, resting in a secure room down the hall, with Helena standing guard. William had left to oversee the cleanup of the warehouse, ensuring no trace of our presence remained.But even surrounded by Leon’s team and their precautions, the weight of Justin’s threat pressed heavily on my chest.A soft groan pulled my attention back to Leon as his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, his gaze was unfocused, but when it landed on me, a faint smile curved his lips.“You stayed,” he murmured, his voice gravelly but warm.“Of cour
The world seemed to slow as the metal beneath us groaned, then gave a horrifying screech as it collapsed. I felt weightless for a split second before gravity yanked us downward. My arms tightened around Alexa, a scream tearing from my throat as the ground rushed toward us.A blur of movement shot out from below—Leon, running faster than I thought humanly possible. His arms stretched upward, and for a moment, I thought he’d catch us.The impact never came. Instead, we crashed into a tangled net just a few feet above the machinery below. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath, adrenaline surging through me.“Margarette!” Leon’s voice was raw as he climbed onto the platform beneath us, his hands gripping the net tightly. “Are you hurt?”“I’m fine,” I choked out, clutching Alexa, who was still semi-conscious. “Get her first!”Leon’s jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the precariously swaying net. He reached up and carefully pulled Alexa down, cradling her like she weighed nothing.
William limped into the room, his face pale but his resolve intact. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice tinged with pain.Leon handed him the phone without a word. William’s expression darkened as he took in the image and the accompanying threat. “We need to act fast. They’re escalating.”Helena nodded. “I’ll get the team ready. We’ll need every resource we’ve got to track her location.”“I’m going with you,” I said, my voice firm despite the tears welling in my eyes.“No, Margarette.” Leon’s tone left no room for argument, but I wasn’t going to back down.“I’m not staying behind while Alexa is out there,” I said, my voice rising. “She needs me.”“She needs you alive,” Leon snapped, his frustration boiling over. “You can’t help her if you’re dead.”The room fell silent, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. William stepped forward, his gaze flickering between Leon and me. “She has a point, Leon. She knows Alexa better than anyone. She might pick up on something w