Furious

Celine's POV

"Dave..." My voice came out weakly.

His countenance shifted immediately, worry flashing in his gaze.

"What?" He moved back to the bed.

I stared into his eyes and couldn't find a word to say. *Maybe I should just act it, like how I always pretended to be sick to get him back home.*

I leaned closer and rested my head on his shoulder, my hand not letting go of his.

He waited, but I just pressed my lips harder, not sure what I was doing.

"Why are you suddenly being clingy?" Dave asked, his fingers in my hair.

My head raised up. It doesn't seem to be working. Provocative? I wondered, hesitating.

Dave's phone rang, ruining my chance to try again, and I watched him pick up. In a second, he got up and his face clouded.

"Hm," he simply said and ended the call.

"What is it?" I asked.

He never really involves me in his business, it was his way of protecting me.

"Nothing. I'll be back," he said and walked out.

I stared at his disappearing figure and inhaled deeply, falling onto my back on the bed. My phone chimed and I picked it up to see who was calling.

Max.

I waited a few seconds before picking up; his face appeared urgently.

"Celine, can we meet up?" he asked.

I sighed.

If Dave finds out I even spoke to him, he would be livid, not to talk of meeting up with him.

"I'm sorry, Max. But I can't trust you anymore."

Max's voice came again, in a rush. "Dave Montessori is not protecting you, Celine. He's hiding the truth from you, he lied to you!"

He sounded panicked.

My face slowly contorted. I wasn't sure what he was talking about. What truth could Dave possibly be hiding from me? And how would Max know that?

I didn't have time to answer him when the call suddenly cut off abruptly.

My frown grew deeper.

Then a text came in, Max had sent a location for us to meet up. I deliberated for a moment, pacing slowly around the room. After a long thought, I texted him back.

"Just this once."

I took a jacket and walked out of the room. Faye was just about to knock on the door. I was a bit startled by her.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"To see Tyra," I answered, my eyes avoiding hers.

She tried to stop me, but I ran past her quickly while waving my hand. "Tell Dave I'll be back in five," I said.

—

Dave's POV

I walked to the dark basement room. Jeff was already waiting for me; the three boys from the club earlier were kneeling on the ground, a cloth tied over their eyes to blind them.

"Who do you work for?" I asked, standing in front of them.

They shook their heads, trembling hard. "We have no idea what you're talking about. We just wanted to have fun."

That response made me angry.

When I entered the club, the three of them all recognized me and ran immediately, looking terrified. That could not be a coincidence.

"This will be the last time I ask: who do you work for?" I asked again.

The three of them seemed to exchange glances despite their blindfolds. My patience was wearing thin now; I grabbed a gun from Jeff's hand and pointed it at the middle guy's head.

He fell to the ground, trembling violently. "Please, spare me," he cried.

"Then speak!" I thundered, out of patience.

"Henry sent us. He wanted us to bring her to him," he quickly blurted out.

My grip tightened on the gun. It's just like I thought, Henry is not dead. I turned to Jeff immediately.

"Release them."

He stared at me, surprised. "Boss..."

"I need them to lead me to Henry," I told him.

He quickly nodded and moved to pull them up.

My phone rang and I picked up. Faye's voice came from the other side. I ended the call after a few seconds and rushed out of the basement, still holding the gun in my hand.

I got into the car, pulling up Celine's location. Ten minutes away. I started the car and sped off instantly. My heart raced as I drove, my eyes searching around, trying to find her.

Then I spotted her, standing by the roadside, being held by Max. I brought the car to an abrupt stop and jumped out before it had even fully stopped.

In two strides, I grabbed him and shoved him against the wall. My other hand wrapped around Celine and lifted her a little, pulling her close.

My gun pointed straight at Max, who was too shocked to move. He quickly put his hands up, looking frightened. My grip tightened on the trigger, ready to pull it.

"Dave!" Celine's voice stopped me.

Her hand grabbed my arm to stop me, her eyes widened in shock. I turned to her, checking her body to see if she was harmed.

"Are you alright?" my voice trembled a little.

She shook her head and looked at Max, who was still pinned to the wall.

"I'm not trying to hurt her, I was just telling her the truth," Max snapped.

My face squeezed hard in fury; I wanted to shoot him right in the head. But again, Celine stopped me. "Why? He just tried to hurt you."

"No, he did not," she said quickly.

She moved forward and stood in front of me, the gun now pointed at her. "Let him go and I'll explain," she said.

My expression darkened instantly. I lowered the gun and clenched my jaw, staring at her. For a moment, I didn't speak, not sure how to punish her now.

Max took the chance to run, and Celine held on still, protecting him.

Seeing her care this much about him made me feel so furious. Not only did she defy my order, but she risked her life again and protected a guy like him.

I swept her off the ground, throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her to the car. I threw her into the back of the car and drove back to the house.