Chapter 5

Nicholas' POV

My phone rang, and I immediately recognized Carlos's voice on the other end, informing me that Santos had been captured. The urgency of the situation compelled me to leave the company of the ladies without hesitation. As I turned to go, I couldn't ignore the pleading look in Laura's eyes. She begged me not to harm Santos, and it tore at my heart.

Despite everything he had done, she still cared about that despicable man, someone who had quite possibly attempted to assassinate her the previous night. I held on to a glimmer of hope, desperately wishing that he was innocent. But if he turned out to be guilty, I vowed to deliver swift justice and bring back his head as a grim testament to his crimes.

Within minutes, I arrived at the basement where Santos was being held captive. Two of my trusted men stood guard outside, ensuring no escape or interference.

"Where is that wretched man?" I demanded to know.

"He is inside, securely bound with ropes on his hands and legs," Naeto promptly responded.

"Good. You two continue to keep watch out here," I ordered them.

"I will make it quick," I added, determined to confront Santos face to face. With that, I entered the dimly lit room where Santos was confined, tightly bound to a chair.

"Carlos, release him from his restraints," I commanded, my tone leaving no room for leniency.

"We must make it abundantly clear that we will not tolerate any defiance. He needs to understand that we mean business."

"Bind him with the chains," I directed, my voice unwavering.

"Yes, boss," Carlos acknowledged, swiftly securing the chains suspended from the ceiling to Santos's hands, forcing him to stand upright.

Taking a seat directly in front of him, I studied Santos intently. I couldn't help but wonder what Laura had ever seen in a man like him. Despite my reservations, I reluctantly admitted that he possessed a certain physical allure. However, I firmly believed that Laura deserved someone far superior to his vile nature.

"Now, let us get down to the matter at hand," I said, methodically slipping on a pair of gloves. "Tell me, with unwavering honesty, who ordered you to carry out the heinous act of killing Laura."

For the first time, Santos looked at me with a mixture of confusion and bewilderment.

"What? Laura? Kill Laura? Why on Earth would I want to harm my own girlfriend?"

Suddenly, a surge of anger coursed through my veins, overwhelming my composure. I sprang up from my seat, propelled by a torrent of rage. Swiftly, I closed the distance between us, my hand instinctively wrapping around his throat in an attempt to strangle him.

"How dare you raise your hand against a woman?" I seethed, my eyes filled with a fierce intensity as I watched him struggle for breath, the weight of his actions pressing down on him, threatening to engulf him entirely.

"Boss, if you continue in this manner, you might inadvertently kill him and lose any chance of extracting information," Carlos cautioned, his words cutting through my anger. I glared at him, frustrated by his interference.

These bodyguards needed to understand their place. But despite my annoyance, I couldn't deny the truth in his words. Carlos wasn't just any bodyguard; he was my right-hand man. Reluctantly, I released my grip on Santos's throat and took a step back, attempting to regain control over the boiling anger within me.

I had always held a strong stance against men who laid their hands on women. Such individuals were despicable cowards and, in my opinion, deserving of death. Santos was incredibly fortunate that I still needed crucial information from him. Otherwise, he would have found himself much closer to meeting his ancestors.

"Let's approach this differently," I said, picking up a menacing iron weapon.

"You will tell me who sent you to kill Laura, or else you will experience unimaginable pain," I declared, my voice dripping with a dangerous intensity.

Santos looked at me with fear in his eyes, stammering, "Please, I don't know anything. I'm innocent, I swear."

"Where is Laura? Where is my girlfriend?" he pleaded, his voice filled with a mix of desperation and confusion.

"Don't you dare call her that again. You are not worthy of her!" I shouted, my anger surging. "You claim innocence, yet you have been terrorizing her, threatening her life if she dared to leave you. How dare you!" I seethed, striking him with the weapon, targeting his ribcage.

"Arrrgghhh!" he cried out, wincing in excruciating pain.

"Sir, please believe me. I'm innocent. Those were empty threats," he gasped, coughing up blood.

"I've been terrified of losing her. I know she deserves better, and I resorted to threats because I didn't want her to leave me," he sobbed, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Bullshit! Utter bullshit!" I snapped, refusing to be deceived. Did he think I was a fool? That I could be easily swayed? I possessed a keen ability to see through people, particularly when they were subjected to torture. They would say anything to escape the agony, even if it meant lying.

"Unchain his hands and make him sit," I ordered my guards. "His hands need to be removed. Without hands, he won't be able to harm women again," I declared, a wicked smile creeping across my face as I glared at him.

"Hold his hand steady," I instructed Carlos. As he complied, without warning, I plunged a knife into the table, impaling his hand. Santos screamed in unimaginable agony.

"Unless you want to die, you will tell me what I want to hear," I coldly warned.

"Who ordered the hit on Laura?"

"Please, sir, you've got the wrong person," he pleaded, his voice filled with weariness. Blood gushed from his wounded arm.

"Where were you last night around 9 p.m.?" I interrogated.

He hesitated, fear evident in his eyes, as if he dreaded my reaction to his answer.

"Speak up, unless you desire death," I growled, fixing a piercing gaze upon him.

"I... I was with a woman I picked up from a bar. We were together in my house all night, even until your men apprehended me this morning," he finally confessed.

I glanced at Carlos, seeking confirmation. Was it true?

"Yes, boss. I also spoke with the woman, and based on what she told me, there's no way Santos could be the culprit, unless he hired a hitman to do the job," Carlos affirmed.

"You should have informed me earlier," I reprimanded Carlos. "Why didn't you relay this information in a timely manner?" I questioned, seeking an explanation.

"I wanted to tell you, but you ended the call before I had the chance," he explained, a hint of remorse in his voice.

I pondered to myself, questioning how that could be used as an excuse. Why would Carlos deliberately withhold such crucial information from me, only to confirm it once it had already come to light?

"So, if you couldn't tell me over the phone, why not when I arrived here?" I asked, approaching Carlos. "Why didn't you inform me?"

"Boss, you must agree that he deserved a severe beating. Men like him, who find pleasure in assaulting women instead of facing their equals, deserve to be thoroughly punished," Carlos replied, his voice simmering with anger. I let out a quiet chuckle.

Carlos had witnessed his father beating his mother to death when he was young, so he understood his deep-rooted anger and hatred towards men who abused women.

"You're right, absolutely right," I affirmed, and advanced towards Santos once again.

"Now, let me give you a clear warning: I never want to see you near Laura again, not even within a three-kilometer radius," I stated firmly, gripping his hair tightly. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," he managed to say amidst the pain.

"If you are ever found anywhere near her again, I will personally ensure your demise," I declared as I forcefully slammed his head onto the table.

"I understand... sir," he stuttered fearfully.

"Clean him up and return him to where you found him," I commanded before leaving them. Reflecting on the situation, I realized that Santos wasn't the one who wanted Laura dead, judging from his initial words and expression.

There was sincerity in his voice, unlike when he claimed to have threatened her out of fear of abandonment. Those had been the words of a man seeking pity from me. How greatly he had failed.

However, there was still important work to be done. The serial killer remained at large. If Santos wasn't responsible, then who exactly wanted Laura dead, and what had she done to deserve it?

Returning to my car, I drove towards our secret hideout. Laura had some questions to answer – questions that would aid us in capturing the serial killer.

As soon as I arrived, without bothering to freshen up or change clothes after my recent escapade, I headed straight for Laura's room to deliver the news. Reaching her door, I flung it open without knocking.

***********

Laura's POV

"Is Santos dead? Why do you have blood stains on your shirt?" I asked in fright. His appearance after several hours raised alarm bells within me. Something serious must have occurred. What was the bad news he had to deliver, and what was the good news? Oh Lord, I hope he didn't kill Santos.

Anxiety filled me as I awaited his response, observing the emptiness in his eyes and noticing his concern for my well-being.

"Take a deep breath, Laura. Just relax," he said, moving closer to us in long strides.

"The good news is that Santos is innocent, and he's safe," he began. "He's not the one trying to kill you." However, his next words sent a chill down my spine. "The bad news is that the person targeting your life is still at large, without any traces or clues for us to find them."

Confusion overwhelmed me as I processed his words. "Then why do you have blood stains on your shirt?" I questioned.

"You didn't expect me to sit down and have a friendly chat with him over a cup of coffee, did you?" he retorted, glaring at me.

"No, of course not. But did you have to resort to violence to extract the information and ensure his innocence?" I probed, doubting his methods.

"He had an alibi," he replied curtly, mocking me with his gaze. "The sexy girl he was with that night told Carlos, one of my men, that they were together throughout the entire period when everything happened." The way he emphasized "sexy" tore at my heart.

Nicholas intentionally said it to provoke me, knowing that I no longer had feelings for Santos. Whatever he did with other women was none of my business. However, the fact that Nicholas was the one delivering this information unsettled me.

"What about Mark?" Sonia suddenly interjected, intruding on our moment.

Nicholas let out a sigh. "We haven't been able to locate him yet, but my men are doing their best," he assured her, his gaze filled with concern.

"Don't worry, Sonia. We'll find him," I comforted her, drawing closer and embracing her tightly. I understood the depth of her emotions. She loved Mark deeply and cared for him. Her encounters with older men were solely to provide for herself and Mark. He relied on her as he had no other means of support. Poor Sonia, I thought, feeling sympathy for her situation.

"Now, Laura, I need you to answer some questions," Nicholas said with a serious expression, taking a seat on a chair. He looked distractingly handsome, his commanding presence evident even in the way he sat. This man was undeniably attractive, and it momentarily diverted my attention. I needed to focus, I reminded myself, meeting his gaze. The twinkle in his eyes betrayed his awareness of my thoughts, causing me to blush deeply.

He smiled before clearing his throat. "Besides Santos, is there anyone else whom you might have offended?" he inquired, his tone conveying the gravity of the matter.