LOGINKiara’s povIt was as though the night knew we were waiting, and it became so slow, that every second felt stretched.I sat inside Alex’s car with my arms wrapped tightly around myself while Leo stayed outside watching the warehouse from a distance.The industrial area looked even creepier now.Most of the buildings had gone dark except for a few security lights and passing trucks moving deeper into the district.The inside of the car was quiet except for the soft sound of the air conditioner and Alex occasionally checking his phone.I looked through the windshield again.Leo stood near the fence line several feet away, partially hidden in the shadows. One hand rested inside his jacket while his eyes stayed fixed on the warehouse like he was trying to see through the walls.He hadn’t relaxed once since we got here.Alex glanced at me briefly before speaking quietly. “You should drink some water.”“I’m not thirsty.”“You’ve said that many times already.”I didn’t answer, cause honestly
Leo’s povWhen we got to the warehouse, I kept my eyes ahead as I parked a safe distance away from the building Alex’s investigator had marked earlier. Large metal warehouses stretched across the industrial area. Trucks moved in and out occasionally. Workers. Security lights.I killed the engine slowly.Behind us, Alex parked his car too.Kiara immediately reached for the door handle.“Wait.” She looked at me quickly.“What?”I scanned the area one more time before answering. “We don’t move carelessly.”Her breathing was already uneven again. I could hear it.“I just want to see the place.”“And you will.”“Leo—”“But you’re not stepping out until I say so.”Her jaw tightened slightly, but this time she didn’t argue immediately.Alex stepped out of his car and walked toward us. The moment I got out too, the cold evening wind hit my face hard. I needed it, because I was really tense.Alex shut his car door quietly before looking toward the warehouse ahead.“That one?” he asked.I nodde
Kiara’s POVThe way Leo said it made the entire room go quiet for a second. Even Alex stopped talking.Leo grabbed his keys from the table and started heading for the door like the conversation was already over.My chest tightened immediately.“Wait.”He didn’t stop.“Leo.”This time he paused slightly but didn’t turn around.“We’re not just rushing into some warehouse blindly.”Now he looked back at me.“And what exactly do you suggest we do?” he asked. “Sit here and wait for another picture of Sophia crying?”That hit me hard. I swallowed quickly.Alex stepped in before I could answer. “Nobody said we should sit around. But we need a proper plan first.”“We already wasted enough time.”Leo’s voice stayed calm but I could hear the anger underneath it now. Barely controlled.Alex folded his arms. “What if they’re armed?”“We would stay vigilant.”“And if there are more people there than we expect?”Leo looked at him flatly. “Then we adapt.”I rubbed my forehead slowly because honestly
Leo’s pov“My investigator found something.”The moment Alex said those words, the entire atmosphere in the room shifted.Kiara straightened immediately beside me, her fingers tightening around the edge of the couch cushion. The tear stains on her face were still visible, but right now fear was winning over exhaustion again.“What did he find?” she asked quickly.Alex pulled his phone out and glanced at the screen before looking back up.“One of the traffic cameras caught the SUV about twelve minutes after it left you.”I stood still instantly. “Where?”“The Harbor Freeway heading toward Vernon.”My jaw tightened slightly. “That fast?”Alex nodded once. “But that’s not the interesting part.”I folded my arms slowly.“Continue.”“He said the SUV disappeared from traffic completely for almost seven minutes.”Kiara frowned. “What does that mean?”“It means,” I answered before Alex could, “they switched vehicles.”Her face drained instantly. “No…”Alex nodded grimly. “Most likely inside a
Kiara’s POVI sat curled slightly into the couch, my fingers locked tightly together while Leo paced across the living room like a man seconds away from snapping.His phone stayed in his hand. Every few seconds, the screen lit up.Calls. Messages. Location updates. But none of it could bring Sophia back.His control was barely hanging on.“What exactly can your investigator pull?” Leo finally asked without stopping his pacing.Alex leaned against the dining table with folded arms.“You will see for yourself.”I noticed the way Leo’s jaw tightened slightly.Alex glanced toward me immediately, probably noticing the change in my breathing.“Kiara?”“I’m fine.” It came out too quickly. Neither of them believed me.I looked down at my hands, they were still shaking. I pressed them harder together.“Stop shaking.” I muttered.“You should drink something,” Alex said quietly.“I said I’m fine.” This time my voice cracked slightly.Leo’s pacing slowed, before he stopped completely. I felt his
Kiara’s POV“Kiara, keep driving!”Leo’s voice rang sharply through the speaker as my hands shook violently against the steering wheel.The SUV stayed beside me for two terrifying seconds before suddenly swerving back behind my car again.My heartbeat was so loud I could barely hear properly anymore.“Oh God… oh God…”“Focus,” Leo ordered. “Don’t let them box you in.”I swallowed hard and tightened my grip.Cars blurred around me as I switched lanes again. A horn blasted angrily somewhere behind me, but I barely noticed.The masked man’s face kept replaying in my head. That smile. That gun.“Kiara.” I blinked quickly.“What?”“Look ahead.”“I am looking ahead!”“No, you’re panicking,” he snapped. “Breathe properly and listen to me.”I tried. God, I tried. But every part of me felt like it was shutting down.“They’re still following me,” I whispered shakily.“I know.”“How do you sound so calm right now?”“I’m not calm.”The coldness in his voice made my chest tighten.“I’m trying not
Leo’s POVThe moment I stepped into the warehouse Vincent had kept him, I didn’t waste time with words. I moved fast.He was tied to a chair, eyes widening in fear when he saw me. Before he could open his mouth, my fist connected with his nose so hard.He groaned loudly, his head snapping back as b
Kiara’s POVI couldn't sleep that night. No matter how many times I closed my eyes, the truth Leo revealed replayed itself in my head. So this is the extent Miriam can get to just to destroy me.I stared at the ceiling, my chest tight, my fingers clenched beneath the sheets. Hatred was one thing.
Leo’s POVI stood alone for a long moment, staring at nothing. My heart was heavy with the weight of the truth but I had to tell Kiara. I don't know what decision she would want to make, but I have to. I had already told her a bit of it. There was no way she would let this go without answers. And
Leo’s povI came home with so much joy in my heart that Kiara agreed to work with me on this company's project. I stepped into the house, loosening my tie, already rehearsing how I would mention Kiara’s involvement to my client and how happy he would be.That was when I noticed someone on my couch







