Allison's POV.Finally at home, I slammed the door to my apartment and paced the room, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me. Everything seemed to be spiraling out of control. The confrontation with Williams and Jessica a few days ago, had left me raw and seething with anger each time I thought about it. I was so consumed by my thoughts that I almost missed the urgent buzz of my phone on the coffee table.When I finally picked it up, it was a message from Mia, who had been keeping me updated on the latest developments. My hands shook as I read the news she’d sent.“Allison, you need to know something important. Jessica’s brother is in town. He’s a five-star general and has been seen around the city, especially near Jessica’s place. It looks like he’s here to support her. Be careful.”The news hit me like a punch to the gut. Jessica’s brother, a five-star general? That meant he wasn’t just a powerful man; he was someone who wielded significant influence and authority. The
Allison's POV.Later that day, we had Sam cornered in one of our secure hideouts—a grimy, dark warehouse that smelled of old metal and musty wood. It was a far cry from the sleek, high-tech settings of our usual operations, but it served its purpose well. The cold concrete floor was stark against the cold steel chairs we’d made him sit on. The low hum of the overhead fluorescent lights created an oppressive atmosphere.I leaned against the wall, watching as Edward, Ryan, Alex, and Mia worked efficiently around Sam. We had managed to catch him with ease; he had been hiding out in a rundown apartment in the outskirts of the city, his whereabouts easily tracked thanks to the intel we’d gathered. The real challenge was extracting the information we needed.Sam, tied to the chair with his face bruised and bloodied from the initial interrogation, was a mess. Edward’s handiwork was evident in the puffy, swollen features. I could almost feel the intensity of Edward’s anger radiating through t
Williams POV.I stormed into Jessica’s ward, the metallic click of my shoes echoing in the hallway. My bodyguards, stationed just outside, remained vigilant as I pushed through the door. My thoughts were a whirl of guilt and concern; I had been feeling uneasy about her fall and the events that followed. But what I walked into made my blood boil.In the center of the room, Jessica was holding hands with a man who looked like he’d stepped straight out of a gritty crime movie. His arms were covered in tattoos, a ragged leather jacket hung loosely over his shoulders, and his smirk radiated trouble. The sight was jarring. My fists clenched involuntarily as I took in the scene. “Who the hell is this?” I demanded, my voice low and dangerous, the anger barely contained.Jessica’s eyes widened in surprise, and she looked up from the man’s hand, her face betraying a hint of discomfort. “This is Don,” she said, her voice strained. “He’s my cousin.”My eyes flicked back to Don, who stood there w
Allison's POV.I had been following the trail of leads, trying to piece together what Jessica’s brother, James, was up to. The information that he was a five-star general meant that I had to tread carefully. Today, I found myself alone in a seemingly innocuous park—a place that seemed perfect for blending in. The open space was serene, but it felt like a setup.I was nursing my bullet wounds, the pain still fresh despite the passage of time. My steps were measured, each one careful to avoid drawing attention. But the tranquility was abruptly shattered. I noticed the subtle movements, the way the men around me seemed too coordinated. It was a dead giveaway. They were army personnel—trained soldiers, moving with precision and purpose.As I turned a corner, they appeared like shadows emerging from the surrounding trees. There were five of them, and they closed in swiftly. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to remain calm. I recognized James immediately. He was every bit the imposing
Allison's POV.The abandoned building loomed in the secluded area of Aria, its crumbling exterior and shattered windows hinting at the horrors contained within. James and his men dragged me inside, their grip unforgiving as they hauled me across the dusty floor. The place was a nightmare—walls lined with grimy, rusted tools used for torture, their menacing presence casting long shadows in the dim light. The air was thick with the scent of decay and fear.They shoved me to the ground, and a jolt of pain raced through my body, igniting the old bullet wounds that still throbbed with every move. I winced but refused to cry out. Guns were trained on me, their cold metal a stark reminder of my precarious situation. My phone buzzed incessantly in my pocket, its shrill ringtone piercing the silence. James, his face twisted in anger and curiosity, yanked it out and glanced at the screen.“Williams?” he spat out the name with a sneer, his expression darkening. “That bastard Williams. Leading my
Jessica's POV.As I paced the hospital corridor, anxiety gnawing at my insides, the door suddenly exploded open. I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat. A wave of police officers stormed in, their uniforms crisp and authoritative. Leading them was Allison Miles—my nemesis, my worst nightmare. She had returned, and she looked every bit the powerful agent I remembered.The officers fanned out, their presence overwhelming, as they began to speak. Their leader, a tall man with a stern face, addressed me directly. “Jessica, you are under arrest for multiple offenses, including but not limited to—fraud, assault, attempted murder, and illegal surveillance.”My eyes widened in disbelief. “What are you talking about?” I sputtered. “This is insane!”The officer continued, his tone firm. “You’ve been implicated in several serious crimes. Evidence has been collected and verified. You’re being arrested.”I stumbled backward, my mind racing. “No, no, this can’t be happening! Allison—she’s lying!
Williams POV.As the last echoes of sirens faded into the distance and the police finished their grim task of carting Jessica away, the parking lot outside the hospital was quiet, unsettling. The late afternoon sun was in a harsh, unfeeling light. I stood there, my mind racing from the events of the day. Allison stood by the entrance, her silhouette framed by the golden light. She looked like she was waiting for something—maybe her team, maybe just a chance to leave the chaos behind. I took a deep breath, preparing myself. I knew I had to talk to her, to make one last attempt to salvage something from the wreckage of our lives.“Allison,” I called out, trying to keep my voice steady. She turned to face me, her expression was of surprise and weariness. The scars of our past were etched into her features, but there was an undeniable strength in her gaze.“Williams,” she said, her tone guarded. “What’s this about?”I took a step closer, fighting the tremor in my voice. “I need to talk t
Allison's POV.The hideout’s minimalist interior seemed almost serene after the chaos of the hospital. The soft hum of high-tech equipment was the only sound that broke the silence as I finally let myself relax, sinking into one of the leather chairs that dotted the room. The weight of the day’s events had left me feeling a strange exhaustion and relief. Jessica was finally out of my life, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of liberation wash over me.Mia, always a reassuring presence, joined me after a few moments. She sat down across from me, her expression was of concern and curiosity.“So, it’s over with Jessica,” Mia said, breaking the silence. “How are you holding up?”I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “I’m relieved. It’s finally done. I can put that part of my life behind me.”Mia nodded, her eyes accessing me with a mixture of empathy and professionalism. “What about Williams? I noticed he was there too. Did you get a chance to talk to him?”I stiffened sli