Enemies forced together

Chapter 7 – Enemies Forced Together

Damien's pov

I've built an empire, made a name for myself, and have men under my control. But right now, nothing of that matters .

The only heir I have has been taken by someone and every attempt to find him is failing.

My son disappeared without leaving a single trace.

The thought alone made it hard to breathe.

I stood in the middle of my office while everyone waited for my next order.

"There is no limit," I said coldly. "Use every resource we have."

Marcus nodded.

"Yes, boss."

"I don't care how much it costs."

"I want every private security company working for me."

"They've already been contacted."

"The police?"

"They're searching."

"The FBI?"

"I've spoken to two contacts. They're joining the investigation."

I looked out of the floor-to-ceiling window.

New York stretched before me, bright and alive.

Somewhere in that city...

Someone had my son.

The fear in me had increased especially because the person hadn't called to request for a ransom.

"Call my overseas contacts."

Marcus looked surprised.

"All of them?"

"Every single one."

He didn't ask another question.

He knew what that meant.

My legal connections and business partners

Even the people from my darker world.

The men I had spent years avoiding.

I no longer cared.

If the devil himself could help me find Jordan, I would shake his hand.

Within hours, the city exploded into action.

and it was beginning to seem as if it was too late to begin searching now.

Private investigators searched every neighborhood.

Police officers blocked major roads.

My helicopters circled above the city.

Every airport received Jordan's picture.

No child matching Jordan's description would leave New York.

Not while I was breathing. But even after all that...

There was still nothing.

No phone call, no ransom demand, no message

That silence terrified me more than anything.

Because kidnappers always wanted something.

But these people...

They wanted nothing.

Later that afternoon, I walked into the hospital.

Elara was speaking with a nurse when she saw me.

Her face immediately hardened.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm checking on you."

"I don't need that."

"You haven't slept."

"I'll survive."

I took another step.

"We need to talk."

"I have nothing to say to you."

She turned away, pretending to read a patient's chart.

I sighed.

"Elara."

She looked back at me with cold eyes.

"You think because Jordan is missing, everything between us disappears?"

"No."

"You think I suddenly trust you?"

"I didn't say that."

"Good."

Her voice shook slightly.

"Because I don't."

I hated hearing those words.

Not because they were unfair.

Because I had earned them.

"I'll find him," I said quietly.

"You better do."

She walked past me without another word.

Marcus appeared beside me.

"She's been making calls all morning."

"To who?"

"Her own contacts."

I frowned.

"What contacts?"

"We're still trying to find out."

I almost laughed.

Even now...

She refused to rely on me.

She was searching for Jordan herself.

Stubborn woman.

But I couldn't blame her.

If our positions were reversed...

I would have done the same.

That evening, Marcus rushed into my office.

His face looked pale.

"I found something."

"What?"

"I've reviewed every report."

He placed several files on my desk.

"I noticed something strange."

I looked through the papers.

"What am I looking at?"

Marcus pointed to the timeline.

"The kidnappers never contacted us."

"So?"

"They never demanded money."

I looked up.

He continued.

"No ransom, No threats"

The room became silent.

Slowly, the truth settled into my mind.

"They never wanted money," I whispered.

Marcus nodded.

"I think they wanted Jordan."

"The Blackthorne heir."

A cold chill ran down my spine.

Because it meant this had been planned for a long time.

Someone had studied us and waited for the perfect moment.

I slammed my fist onto the desk.

"They're not taking him from me."

Marcus remained quiet.

"I don't care who is behind this."

"I'll burn their entire world down."

An hour later, I drove to the hospital again.

Elara looked exhausted.

Dark circles sat beneath her eyes.

She hadn't stopped searching.

"You're coming with me."

She frowned.

"What?"

"You're moving into my estate."

"No."

"It isn't a request."

"I said no."

"It's the safest place in New York."

"I'd rather stay here."

I stepped closer.

"You are not safe."

She folded her arms.

"I've protected myself for years."

"This is different."

"I can handle it."

"No, you can't."

Her eyes flashed with anger.

"You don't get to tell me what to do."

"I do when your life is in danger."

She laughed bitterly.

"My life has been in danger since the day I met you."

Her words hit harder than she knew.

Still...

I couldn't let her stay here.

"Please."

She looked shocked.

I rarely begged anyone.

"I'm asking you."

She looked away.

"No."

She walked out before I could stop her.

Marcus watched her leave.

"That didn't go well."

"No."

"What now?"

I looked through the window.

"We both watch her."

It was almost midnight.

Two of my security vehicles followed Elara's car from a distance.

She had no idea.

She would probably kill me if she found out.

But I wasn't taking chances.

Marcus suddenly answered his phone.

His face changed instantly.

"Boss."

"What?"

"Our men say another vehicle has been following Dr. Elara."

My heart stopped.

"Where?"

"About three blocks behind her."

"Who is it?"

"They don't know."

"Tell them not to lose sight."

Marcus relayed the order.

Seconds later...

His phone rang again.

He answered.

"What happened?"

His expression turned white.

"Boss..."

"They've attacked."