The metallic clang of the cafeteria doors echoed as inmates of the prison shuffled in line for food with their trays held in their hands.Mr. Kingston picked up his food from the cook, a young, blonde girl, who left him a smile, but he didn't return it.He took his food away, grey mashed potatoes, a slab of meatloaf that looked days old, and a cup of watery juice. He didn’t flinch; prison food had long stopped surprising him.After all, in his teenage days, he spent a full year in prison for possession of drug.He carried his tray with calm precision, his eyes sweeping over the crowded cafeteria. The air around reeked of sweat, disinfectant, and cheap grease.The moment he chose an empty table near the wall, a voice cut through the chatter.“Look who we got here.”He didn’t have to turn to know the tone and the mood of the person who called him. His tone was mocking and somewhat edged with menace.Bad sign…Still, he glanced up, his expression neutral. A tall, wiry man with tattoos cr
The black Mercedes Benz slowed to a crawl as the massive gates of the Cingarette estate creaked open.Aaron sat in the back seat beside Lucas, his jaw tight, his gaze fixed on the sprawling villa beyond the iron bars.For him, every step closer to Giovanni Cingarette’s estate felt like they were walking willingly into the serpent’s den, but Aaron had long stopped flinching at danger.He wasn’t here for games… he was here for his father.And once he got his father out of jail, his next step getting back Raina, if that ship hadn't already sailed.Lucas, seated beside him, glanced over with a mixture of unease and steel in his eyes. “You sure about this?” he asked, his voice low and careful.Aaron’s fingers tapped against his knee, maybe trying to decide the answer to that question.“I don’t have the luxury of being unsure. This is the best way we can get Giovanni to free our father.And as for Giovanni, I know he has something uo his sleeves too, but he’s going to learn quickly that I’m
Kai pushed the front door open quietly, as if hoping the house would swallow his arrival without notice.Night had already fallen on the city.And for him today had been a long day, no doubt. He had to make a combined eight hour drive to confront Raina and then returned.And for now, his efforts to get her back was still unsuccessful.But for he had a plan B.He froze two steps in, there she was, waiting… Jamie.She stood in the living room, framed by the glow of a single lamp, a glass of red wine held effortlessly in her hand.Her eyes locked on him immediately, sharp and calculating, as though she had been rehearsing this confrontation all night.“Where were you? And before you say work, I checked.. You never showed…” she asked, her tone deceptively soft, carrying the edge of accusation beneath it.Kai pulled off his jacket and draped it across the back of the chair. His movements were calm, almost casual, but his jaw tightened. “I was out, taking a drive round the city, I needed so
The Kingston estate’s study was dimly lit, the curtains drawn tight against the storm still raging outside.A fire burned low in the hearth, throwing flickers of orange light across the heavy oak table where Aaron, Lucas, and Margaret sat. Tris lingered near the shelves with her arms folded and her expression tense.Margaret set down her phone on the table, just after the call, her movements deliberate and controlled.“Your private investigator was right, Aaron,” she said, her voice calm but edged with steel. “It was Marco Cingarette who set Raina up. The recording was fake from start to finish.”Aaron’s jaw clenched, the words hitting like a second blow to the chest.Although, he knew this, hearing it from another source felt all the more painful.He leaned back in his chair, staring at the fire as if it could steady the storm brewing inside him.“We messed up big time, mum.”“I know.” she said, her tone soft.Margaret exhaled slowly, then continued, her eyes sweeping over both broth
The door creaked open, and two officers stepped in, flanking the tall, broad shouldered man between them.Mr. Kingston.He still carried himself like he owned the room, even in a now wrinkled shirt and those iron cuffs worn around his wrists.His silver hair was slightly disheveled, but his eyes were sharp and calculating as ever, as they swept over Aaron and Lucas with a certain cool assessment like he was in a meeting or a conference“Boys,” he said evenly, his tone almost casual. “I’d say it’s good to see you, but given the circumstances…”The officers uncuffed him and left, the door shutting with a hollow click.Aaron leaned forward immediately, forearms on the table. “We need to know what Giovanni has on you. What exactly did he use to get you arrested?”Mr. Kingston eased himself into the chair opposite them, fingers lacing together on the tabletop. “It’s probably nothing more than lies. Fabricated evidence, just enough to make the police dance to his tune.”Lucas frowned. “Then
The black SUV rolled out of the estate gates, its headlights cutting through the gray wash of late afternoon. Rain clouds hung low over the city, casting a dark shadow over the city. Inside, the air was thick with a silence neither brother seemed willing to break.Aaron kept his eyes on the road, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the other resting on the gearshift. His jaw was set hard, the faint muscle twitch at the corner giving away the strain beneath his calm facade. Lucas sat angled toward the window, watching the blur of passing buildings, his reflection pale against the glass.For nearly ten minutes, the only sounds were the low hum of the engine and the faint patter of rain beginning to tap against the roof.Finally, Lucas spoke, his voice quiet but clear. “How are you doing?”Aaron didn’t look at him. “I’m fine.” The words were clipped, even almost dismissive.Lucas’s brow furrowed. “That’s not what I asked.”Aaron’s grip tightened slightly on the wheel. “Why do you care?