DAVIDI gripped the man’s shoulder tightly, my voice low but steady. “No one’s going to kill your son. I won’t let that happen.”He shifted uncomfortably under my hand, his gaze darting to the floor. “You don’t understand.” His voice cracked. “The people I’m talking about…they’re powerful. They own this city.”“Powerful?” I scoffed, letting out a sharp breath. “What if I take your son out of that prison and return him to you? Safe and sound. Just tell me who they are.”He hesitated, his lips trembling as though he was weighing the odds. “What if you’re too late? What if they’ve already…” His voice broke, fear pooling in his eyes.I straightened, my jaw tightening. “I am David Copperfield.” The name hung heavy between us, and the room seemed to shrink. “The most feared man in this city. I destroy whoever stands in my way. Your son will walk out of that prison but you need to tell me their names.”His fear didn’t vanish, but it dulled enough for him to nod. “His name…his name is Eden.”
DAVID“This is all for you, Bella,” I murmured, my voice a low growl as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. My eyes scanned the dimly lit street ahead. “Whoever tries to hurt my woman will face me.”The ice cream shop was almost deserted, save for a few stragglers finishing their cones. My car sat cloaked in the shadows of an alley, its engine purring softly as Janet shifted in the passenger seat. She crunched on the last biscuit from the pack I handed her, brushing crumbs off her jeans.“We’ve been here for hours, David,” she said, her voice tinged with boredom. “You sure they’ll show?”“They’ll show,” I replied, my tone sharp with conviction.Janet leaned back, crossing her arms as she gave me a skeptical look. But before she could say more, the shop’s glass door jingled. A group of men, faces hard and voices gruff, strode inside. Their movements were deliberate, their eyes scanning the space like wolves on a hunt.“Here we go,” I muttered, flicking off the car’s lights.One of th
DAVIDI gripped the steering wheel tighter, the soft hum of the car engine doing little to soothe the storm brewing inside me. "You haven’t even asked about the guy’s name," I muttered, throwing a sidelong glance at my younger sister.Janet adjusted her lipstick in the visor mirror, her calm demeanor a sharp contrast to my simmering frustration. "We’ll figure it out when we get to Midnight Manor," she said breezily, snapping the visor shut. "No point in jumping to conclusions before we’ve got the facts."I clenched my jaw, focusing on the winding road ahead. Midnight Manor wasn’t just any club it was Clara’s favorite haunt before…before she was taken from me.By the time we pulled into the club’s neon-lit parking lot, my nerves were stretched thin. Janet stepped out first, her heels clicking confidently against the pavement. "You’re unusually hands-on with this," she said, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. "You usually have your guards or assistants handle stuff like this. What’s
DAVIDThe black SUV hummed quietly as I parked it in the shadow of the looming estate. The air smelled of wet earth and gasoline, the kind of scent that carried secrets. I glanced at Janet in the passenger seat. Her nails tapped nervously against the side of her thigh, a tell she’d never learned to hide.I pulled a small vial from my pocket, the liquid inside glinting like deceit under the car's dim light. "Here’s the plan," I began, my voice calm but firm. "Desmond is in that room right now. He’s already started drinking, and I’ll send you in shortly. Slip this into his drink. Quietly. He won’t suspect a thing."Her eyes darted to the mansion ahead, then back to me. "How do you even know all this?" she asked, suspicion threading her voice.I leaned back against the seat, letting the corner of my lips curl into a cryptic smile. "You’ll find out soon enough."Her hand was already on the door handle when she froze. "Wait. Don’t he usually have guards? You’re sending me in there alone?"
DAVID “Denise,” Janet’s voice cracked as she whispered his name. Her hand trembled slightly, clutching the edge of the table for balance.I froze at the sound, a rush of memories flooding back. Denise. The man who destroyed my sister’s life. My jaw tightened as I processed her words, my hands curling into fists. A slow, humorless smile crept across my face, but inside, fury churned like a storm.“Well, well,” I said, my voice a low growl. “Don’t tell me that bastard’s been released from prison.”Janet didn’t respond, but the haunted look in her eyes was all the confirmation I needed. She was trying to stand tall, but the faint quiver in her lips betrayed her.“Ten years,” I muttered, more to myself than to her. “It’s been ten years, and now he’s free. After everything he’s done...”The image of Janet’s younger self flashed in my mind barely more than a teenager, her face pale and tear-streaked as she begged me to help her. Denise had forced her into an abortion, leaving her unable to
DAVIDI stepped out of the tutoring room, Janet trailing behind me, her curious gaze boring into the side of my head. She’d been waiting to pounce with questions ever since she overheard bits of my conversation earlier."Spit it out," I said without looking at her.Her lips quirked into a triumphant smile. "So, Desmond is your friend?"I stopped mid-step and turned to her. "Correction was my friend. My ex-best friend."Her eyebrows shot up. "Wow. What happened? I mean, I heard him say he tried to poison you""He didn’t try. He did poison me," I cut her off, my tone sharper than I intended.Janet’s eyes widened, her expression a mix of shock and intrigue. She clasped her hands in front of her, giving me that infamous puppy-dog face she always used to fish for details."Don’t even start with that face," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "It doesn’t work on me."She didn’t budge."Fine. I’ll tell you if you drop the face," I said, exasperated.She grinned, slipping her arm through
DAVIDThe early morning light filtered through my bedroom window, casting golden streaks across the polished floor. I leaned against the edge of my desk, my phone cradled in my hand as I dialed the Chief of Police. The weight of my plans hung heavy in the room, though my resolve was unshakable.He picked up on the second ring."David," his voice carried a mixture of warmth and curiosity, "It’s been a while. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me.""I’ve been busy," I replied, my tone sharp and direct. "But I have something for you a name you’ve been waiting for.""Oh?" His interest peaked instantly. "Who might that be?""Desmond Stefan," I said, savoring the silence that followed."Desmond Stefan? Are you sure about this?" His voice dropped, cautious now. "He’s not just some ordinary man. He’s a powerful lawyer, David. We can’t touch him unless..""Unless you have evidence," I interrupted, my voice colder than the early morning breeze. "I have everything you need. Enough to
DAVIDThe sound of laughter carried through the summer air, drawing my attention to the yard. Bella stood there, soaked from head to toe, her hair clinging to her neck as she laughed with her father and Elowen, water dripping from their clothes. Her smile wide, unguarded, and carefree made my chest tighten.I leaned against my car, watching from afar, unable to pull my gaze away. Bella’s father splashed her, and she squealed, retaliating with a bucket of water. For a moment, I just stood there, basking in the joy of watching her with her family. This this was happiness.“Sir, are we staying here or heading back?” my assistant’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.I straightened and reached for the car door. “Let’s head back,” I said, just as a voice behind me stopped me in my tracks.“Are you leaving without your wife?”I turned, and there she was Bella. Her cheeks were flushed, her damp shirt clinging to her growing belly. She was breathtaking.Her hands rest
DAVIDI spent the entire night poring over strategies to dismantle Denise’s plans. The moment Bella insisted on joining the fight, I knew I had to shut her down.“No, Bella,” I said, my voice firm but gentle. “You’re pregnant. I can’t risk your life or our baby’s.”Her eyes flared with defiance, her hands folding over her growing belly. “But you and Janet risked your lives to bring the people who tried to kill me to justice,” she argued, her voice steady, daring me to counter.I sighed, running a hand through my hair, frustration evident. “How about you visit your father for a while?” I suggested. “By the time you’re back, we’ll have taken care of Denise.”She crossed her arms, the set of her jaw telling me I’d already lost this battle. “No, David. I’m staying. That’s final.”I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. Arguing with a determined woman especially a pregnant one was a battle destined for failure.“All right, fine,” I muttered, waving a white flag in my mind. “But
DAVID“Babe, you need to rest,” I said softly, brushing a stray curl from Bella’s face.Her eyelids fluttered, heavy with sleep, but she managed a small nod. “I think... you’re right,” she murmured, her voice thick with exhaustion.Taking her hand, I guided her to her room, watching as she stifled a yawn. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light, mumbling a faint “Good night” that made me smile.I stood there for a moment, my gaze lingering on her. The soft rise and fall of her chest, the slight curve of her lips pregnancy had added a glow to her, even as it filled her face out a little. To me, she was perfection. Leaning down, I kissed her forehead gently, then pulled the blanket up to her chin.“Sleep well, my love,” I whispered, turning off the lamp and quietly shutting the door behind me.But as I stepped into the hallway, my serenity evaporated. Janet. My sister’s fear weighed heavily on me, and I couldn’t shake the tension knotting my shoulders. Without hesit
DAVIDBella's gaze lingered on me as the car glided through the streets toward the estate. I could feel the weight of her curiosity pressing against my silence."What happened?" she asked, her voice soft but insistent.I forced a smile that barely reached my eyes. "Nothing."Her eyes narrowed. "Don’t lie to me, David. Your whole demeanor changed the second you checked your phone."A muscle in my jaw tightened as I weighed my words. "Someone’s after my sister.""Who?" she pressed, leaning slightly toward me."Denise," I said curtly.Her brows furrowed. "Who’s Denise? I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned him.""You wouldn’t know him," I said, my tone clipped."Then tell me. Maybe I will," she replied, her persistence unwavering.The car pulled to a stop in front of my mansion, its grand facade illuminated by the soft glow of the outdoor lights. My assistant stepped out and opened Bella’s door. I followed, my eyes scanning the grounds instinctively, looking for any sign of trouble."Have
DAVIDThe sound of laughter carried through the summer air, drawing my attention to the yard. Bella stood there, soaked from head to toe, her hair clinging to her neck as she laughed with her father and Elowen, water dripping from their clothes. Her smile wide, unguarded, and carefree made my chest tighten.I leaned against my car, watching from afar, unable to pull my gaze away. Bella’s father splashed her, and she squealed, retaliating with a bucket of water. For a moment, I just stood there, basking in the joy of watching her with her family. This this was happiness.“Sir, are we staying here or heading back?” my assistant’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.I straightened and reached for the car door. “Let’s head back,” I said, just as a voice behind me stopped me in my tracks.“Are you leaving without your wife?”I turned, and there she was Bella. Her cheeks were flushed, her damp shirt clinging to her growing belly. She was breathtaking.Her hands rest
DAVIDThe early morning light filtered through my bedroom window, casting golden streaks across the polished floor. I leaned against the edge of my desk, my phone cradled in my hand as I dialed the Chief of Police. The weight of my plans hung heavy in the room, though my resolve was unshakable.He picked up on the second ring."David," his voice carried a mixture of warmth and curiosity, "It’s been a while. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me.""I’ve been busy," I replied, my tone sharp and direct. "But I have something for you a name you’ve been waiting for.""Oh?" His interest peaked instantly. "Who might that be?""Desmond Stefan," I said, savoring the silence that followed."Desmond Stefan? Are you sure about this?" His voice dropped, cautious now. "He’s not just some ordinary man. He’s a powerful lawyer, David. We can’t touch him unless..""Unless you have evidence," I interrupted, my voice colder than the early morning breeze. "I have everything you need. Enough to
DAVIDI stepped out of the tutoring room, Janet trailing behind me, her curious gaze boring into the side of my head. She’d been waiting to pounce with questions ever since she overheard bits of my conversation earlier."Spit it out," I said without looking at her.Her lips quirked into a triumphant smile. "So, Desmond is your friend?"I stopped mid-step and turned to her. "Correction was my friend. My ex-best friend."Her eyebrows shot up. "Wow. What happened? I mean, I heard him say he tried to poison you""He didn’t try. He did poison me," I cut her off, my tone sharper than I intended.Janet’s eyes widened, her expression a mix of shock and intrigue. She clasped her hands in front of her, giving me that infamous puppy-dog face she always used to fish for details."Don’t even start with that face," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "It doesn’t work on me."She didn’t budge."Fine. I’ll tell you if you drop the face," I said, exasperated.She grinned, slipping her arm through
DAVID “Denise,” Janet’s voice cracked as she whispered his name. Her hand trembled slightly, clutching the edge of the table for balance.I froze at the sound, a rush of memories flooding back. Denise. The man who destroyed my sister’s life. My jaw tightened as I processed her words, my hands curling into fists. A slow, humorless smile crept across my face, but inside, fury churned like a storm.“Well, well,” I said, my voice a low growl. “Don’t tell me that bastard’s been released from prison.”Janet didn’t respond, but the haunted look in her eyes was all the confirmation I needed. She was trying to stand tall, but the faint quiver in her lips betrayed her.“Ten years,” I muttered, more to myself than to her. “It’s been ten years, and now he’s free. After everything he’s done...”The image of Janet’s younger self flashed in my mind barely more than a teenager, her face pale and tear-streaked as she begged me to help her. Denise had forced her into an abortion, leaving her unable to
DAVIDThe black SUV hummed quietly as I parked it in the shadow of the looming estate. The air smelled of wet earth and gasoline, the kind of scent that carried secrets. I glanced at Janet in the passenger seat. Her nails tapped nervously against the side of her thigh, a tell she’d never learned to hide.I pulled a small vial from my pocket, the liquid inside glinting like deceit under the car's dim light. "Here’s the plan," I began, my voice calm but firm. "Desmond is in that room right now. He’s already started drinking, and I’ll send you in shortly. Slip this into his drink. Quietly. He won’t suspect a thing."Her eyes darted to the mansion ahead, then back to me. "How do you even know all this?" she asked, suspicion threading her voice.I leaned back against the seat, letting the corner of my lips curl into a cryptic smile. "You’ll find out soon enough."Her hand was already on the door handle when she froze. "Wait. Don’t he usually have guards? You’re sending me in there alone?"
DAVIDI gripped the steering wheel tighter, the soft hum of the car engine doing little to soothe the storm brewing inside me. "You haven’t even asked about the guy’s name," I muttered, throwing a sidelong glance at my younger sister.Janet adjusted her lipstick in the visor mirror, her calm demeanor a sharp contrast to my simmering frustration. "We’ll figure it out when we get to Midnight Manor," she said breezily, snapping the visor shut. "No point in jumping to conclusions before we’ve got the facts."I clenched my jaw, focusing on the winding road ahead. Midnight Manor wasn’t just any club it was Clara’s favorite haunt before…before she was taken from me.By the time we pulled into the club’s neon-lit parking lot, my nerves were stretched thin. Janet stepped out first, her heels clicking confidently against the pavement. "You’re unusually hands-on with this," she said, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. "You usually have your guards or assistants handle stuff like this. What’s