POV: ETHAN
My jaw clenched.
“Us?” I repeated with scorn, laughing loudly, feeling my blood boil with pent-up rage. “You really had the nerve to say ‘us,’ Ravi?”
I yanked open the glove compartment with a sharp tug, grabbed the gun wrapped in dark cloth, and, without hesitation, pressed the cold barrel against the underside of his chin. Ravi froze, his Adam’s apple bobbing with difficulty as he swallowed hard. His eyes widened, and the slight tremble in his jaw betrayed the nervousness behind his calculated psychopath facade.
“There is no ‘us,’” I spat the words coldly, locking my gaze onto his. “You and Violet went too far. You screwed up big time and dragged me down with you. But I’m not going under. I’m going to collect every cent you stole. Every move you made behind my back. You’re going to pay me back. And fast.”
POV: LAURENI held his face between my hands, feeling the cold sweat mixed with the blood that trickled down. I gave light slaps to his cheeks, my voice pleading.“Don’t do this to me… open your eyes, Henry, please…” I screamed, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would tear through my chest, and tears fell uncontrollably.“Wake up, Uncle… please, don’t die,” Theodor cried desperately beside me, his voice breaking between sobs. He leaned over Henry’s chest, trying to hear him breathe, his small hands trembling. “Don’t leave me, like Mommy and Daddy did.”“Henry, wake up!” I shouted, my throat burning, tears blurring my vision. My voice echoed through the warehouse, laden with desperation.Lucian quickly knelt beside his friend, his face serious, his fingers pressing firmly against Henry’s n
POV: LAUREN“Henry, talk to me… Please!” I screamed, my voice breaking between sobs as I pressed my trembling hands against the open wound on his chest. Warm blood seeped through my fingers, staining them red, and panic gripped my heart like a claw. “Please, my love… Stay with me!”“Lauren…” he murmured, his voice faint, barely a whisper. His half-closed eyes searched for mine. “Theodor… is he okay?” The desperate tone in his voice made my eyes burn even more. “Was he hit?”“No, my love…” I answered quickly, swallowing the tears and the lump choking me. “Theo’s fine.” My hands pressed harder against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding, while my entire body shook. “My God… you stepped in front of him, Henry.” My voice cracked. “You
POV: LAUREN“She’ll get tired eventually,” Ravi said with a cold, disturbing smile, as if he were discussing something trivial. “And then, maybe I’ll consider giving your daughter back… if you pay me a sum that’s worth my while.”My stomach churned. I took a step back, shocked by the sheer cruelty and complete lack of humanity in this man. My entire body trembled, a chill ran down my spine, and I tasted metal in my mouth from grinding my teeth so hard. This wasn’t normal. It was sick.That’s when I noticed a subtle movement at the back of the warehouse. My eyes widened as I saw Henry and Lucian emerging silently, each moving with extreme caution as they pulled Theodor away from Ravi’s reach. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.But before I could say anything, Violet snapped her head toward them. Her glassy eyes gleamed with an unhinged intensity.“Cousin, they’re here!” she shrieked, her voice shrill, as if she were delighted to betray us all.Everyth
POV: LAURENRavi paused for a second, his eyes narrowed, and a cruel, crooked smile formed at the corner of his lips. I knew I was poking at his wound, but I needed to buy time. Every second I held his attention was another chance for Henry and Lucian to get closer and save Theo.Behind us, I heard Violet let out a shrill, disturbing laugh that echoed through the warehouse.“She’s jealous, cousin,” Violet said, her voice slurred and her gaze unhinged, swirling her wine glass as if this were some kind of show.“She knew what she was getting into with that man,” Ravi said through gritted teeth, his voice dripping with resentment, his eyes following Violet as she stumbled out of the warehouse, clutching her wine glass like it was a trophy. “I’ll take care of her with this money, but only after I deal with you all.”“Ravi, it’s still not too late for you,” I tried to plead, struggling to find any trace of humanity in him, no matter how small. “We can help Violet. She needs treatment. You
POV: LAUREN“Be careful, Lauren,” Henry’s voice came through my earpiece, low, steady, and laced with concern. “At the slightest sign of danger, run. We’re circling around the warehouse.”I took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in my hands, and stepped forward, crossing the threshold of the door.“I want to be part of the meeting,” Violet’s whiny, slurred voice came from behind me. She stumbled, her bloodshot eyes glinting and a distorted smile twisting her face. “Let me handle her. It’ll be fun.”I glanced back for a second and saw her state. Her pale skin, uncoordinated movements, and trembling lips made me even more tense.“Violet, pull yourself together,” Ravi’s voice echoed from inside the warehouse, thick with restrained irritation. “How many pills did you take?”
POV: LAURENI pulled my coat tighter around my body, feeling the cold pierce my skin as if it were trying to freeze my bones. My fingers brushed against the discreet earrings, adjusting them before I brought my hand to my ear and whispered.“Can you hear me?” I asked in a low voice, testing the microphone. My heart was racing so fast it seemed to echo in my ears.“We hear you, Lauren,” Henry’s voice came through the earpiece, steady but laced with tension and control. “Remember, act natural so Ravi doesn’t suspect anything. One wrong move, and he’ll notice.”I took a deep breath, trying to keep the air in my lungs. The weight of the vest under my shirt was uncomfortable, growing heavier with every second.“You’re wearing the vest, right?” Henry asked, his voice deep and protective. “We’re nearby, keeping an eye on you.”