Chapter 63

Damien

I roamed around the house, trying to keep my mind busy, but no matter what I did, my mind kept drifting back to Alison. Was she okay? Had everything gone according to plan? The thought of her being near Aiden made my skin crawl.

I let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through my hair.

I knew Hugh had really worked hard on this plan, calculating every move, but something didn’t sit right with me. I had this nagging feeling that something terrible was going to happen.

Without thinking, I stepped out of the house and headed toward the garage. My eyes landed on an old car I hadn’t driven in years.

It was covered in a thin layer of dust, but I knew it would still run. I walked over, brushing my fingers along the hood before pulling the door open.

“I hope this works,” I muttered under my breath.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, and despite everything, I couldn’t help but smile.

Without wasting another second, I backed out of the garage and sped off.

Hugh had texted me their whereabouts earlier. Silver Estate. That was where Aiden was hiding out.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my foot pressing harder against the gas pedal. But as I neared my destination, I saw flashing lights up ahead.

“What was going on?” I said out loud.

I noticed that cars were stopping followed by it were horns blaring.

I was so curious to find out what was going on so I got out of the car.

“Move out of the way manic!” A man who was trying to turn yelled at my face.

I gave room, walking down the road until my eyes caught hold of what had caused the sudden stop.

There was an accident and from the looks of it. It was a pretty big one.

“Shit,” I muttered.

There was no way my car was getting through.

I made my way to the car and the minute I sat down I slammed my hands against the wheel.

The pain I felt after that act was nothing compared to how I was feeling, right now I needed to think of a way out.

Should I turn back or just wait, I knew I couldn’t wait there was no time for that. Every second counted and turning back didn’t seem like a good idea either.

Without hesitation, I jumped out of the car and started walking.

I weaved through the stalled vehicles and irritated drivers, my pulse pounding in my ears. It didn’t take long to realize that walking wasn’t going to be fast enough. I needed another ride.

I spotted a cab a few feet away and rushed toward it. The driver was about to pull off, but I banged on the window.

“Silver Estate,” I said urgently as I climbed into the backseat.

The driver eyed me suspiciously. “That’s a high-security area. You got clearance?”

I nodded, not even bothering to explain. “Just drive.”

The cab weaved through the city streets, getting me closer to my destination. I stared out the window, the sick feeling in my stomach growing with every passing second.

I hope Alison is fine.

I hope Hugh’s plan was going well too.

As soon as the cab reached Silver Estate, I spotted Hugh’s car parked at a corner of the road.

“I will be alright here!” I told the driver.

“I wasn’t going to go any farther anyway.” He informed me and I handed him a bill.

“You’re a dollar short.” He declared and I rolled my eyes.

“That is all I have on me.”

“Then you’re not leaving until you pay up.” He cut his engine looking directly at me.

I didn’t have time for this.

“I know men like you. You like to act like you run the city, while you use every chance you get to extort people. You’re nothing but a thwarting fool.“

“You have no right to speak to me that way.”

“I have every right. Now give me my money you fucking fraud.”

I dug my hands into my hood feeling the metal surface of my gun. This was one of the reasons I never left home without my gun because I knew I would come across men like this who needed to be taught a lesson.

I turned to look around and I noticed nobody seemed to be nearby and everywhere was pretty quiet.

“Stop looking around and pay my money!”

I huffed. “You’re going to regret saying that sir.”

The man scoffed. “I’m not afraid of you.”

During that moment I pulled out my gun, and the man’s eyes widened.

“You were sayin’?” I asked shoving the gun through his window.

“Don’t hurt me I have a wife and a child to feed.” He said in a cracked tone.

“You should have thought of that before you started dropping insults.”

“I’m really sorry, just please don’t hurt me. My child just clocked five.”

“The only reason I’m going to let you go is because of my good heart. Now start your engine and get the fuck out of here.”

He started the engine immediately and he drove off.

I smiled pocketing my gun, then I started walking down the street.

My instincts screamed at me to stay hidden. So I pulled my hood over my head and melted into the shadows.

Then, suddenly I heard a gunshot.

I froze. My heart slammed against my ribcage as the distant sound of barking dogs echoed through the quiet night.

I moved quickly, following the noise. My breath came in short bursts as I turned a corner and saw them.

Alison was on the ground, clutching her leg.

Hugh loomed over her, his gun still in hand.

I gritted my teeth, fists clenching. I knew this was all part of the act, but seeing him like this, and seeing her like this made my stomach twist.

Then, Hugh raised his gun again. I watched as he brought the handle down hard against Alison’s head. She let out a strangled cry, her body jerking from the impact.

I turned away for a moment, unable to watch. But then, something unexpected happened.

Alison moved.

Despite the pain, despite the blood trickling from her leg, she forced herself to her feet.

She ran.

She didn’t look back.

My breath caught in my throat as I watched her stumble toward a gated house. She rattled the gate frantically.

“Please! Someone is trying to kill me!” she cried out.

A security guard stepped forward, eyeing her with suspicion. “Who are you?”

“I own this place! Open the damn gate!”

During that moment, Aiden appeared.

He walked toward the gate, with a firm gaze. The moment I saw him, I knew this was my cue to leave.

I forced my feet to move, retracing my steps down the road. Every instinct in me screamed to go back, to rip Alison away from him, to make sure she was truly safe. But I knew I couldn’t.

This was the plan.

This was what we had prepared for.

I glanced over my shoulder one last time. Alison was still standing at the gate, facing Aiden.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could feel the tension even from a distance.

My jaw clenched.

I hated this.

I hated him.

But I had no choice.

I took a deep breath and walked away, disappearing into the night.