Wait for me

Dave's POV

The knock seemed to slap consciousness into my head. My hands loosened slowly and I stared at her for a second before looking down to her neck.

My marks were everywhere.

I forced saliva down quietly and moved away. Her face quickly turned sullen, hurt and despairing. I knew there was no turning back now.

My hands clenched hard, and my jaw tightened.

Since I already lost control, then so be it.

"Wait for me," I told her.

Then I turned away and started to walk to the door. As I walked, a thought came to me and I stopped. I turned around again and saw her head lowered.

A little smirk crept at the corner of my lips. I walked back to her and grabbed her chin. She lifted her eyes up suddenly, clearly surprised.

I lowered my head and kissed her forehead gently. "Don't go thinking any silly thoughts. I will be back soon." I stared into her eyes to make sure she got my message.

A smile spread across her face instantly and she nodded. Only then did I walk out of the room, leaving her to deal with whatever emergency had arrived.

Jeff was standing a distance away from the door when I walked out. He came closer the moment I stepped out, his face troubled.

"Boss, our family was attacked," he said.

My brows lifted instantly, a dark cloud forming in my eyes. My hands clenched inside the pockets where I had rested them.

"How many men did we lose?" I asked.

"Fifteen, Boss. But just our minor men. However, Alfred was injured trying to protect the others," he said.

That made me snap.

Whoever did this had declared war against the Montessori family. And they would pay for it.

"We're going back to Besley tonight," I said and began to move.

Jeff quickly stopped me. "What about Miss Celine?"

I halted. "Let Tyra and Stephen stay with her," I ordered and continued toward the car.

—

The Holloway family had tried to force the Sawyer company for weapons, and when Alfred declined, they opened fire. When I arrived at Besley, the rest of my men were already waiting.

We attacked the Holloway family and I had their leader brought in front of me.

"You devil!" he spat.

I chuckled. "You're the one who killed my men first."

He struggled against the ropes. I stepped closer and lifted his head with my gun.

"The Holloway family would never be this stupid, killing my men. What made you suddenly lose your mind?" I asked.

The man in front of me looked a bit frightened. He looked away and shut his eyes.

"I received information that the Sawyers had created a new weapon," he said.

My expression shifted quickly, my grip tightening on the gun and my jaw clenching. A dangerous feeling crept all over my body and I tried to calm down.

"Who gave you this information?" I asked.

"It was anonymous, but with clear evidence of the weapon. With this weapon, the Holloway family would never have to bow to anyone again."

My jaw tightened. A glint of fear penetrated through my bones, but my cold façade buried it deep. If whatever Holloway said was true, then it meant Joseph Castillo had struck again.

And now he had exposed the weapon and the Sawyers to great danger.

If he told anyone else about it, Celine would be in danger sooner or later. I can't let that happen.

"Can you tell me anything about this informant?" I asked, my gaze hard on him.

He looked away, his eyes doubtful. Looks like he was just a pawn that had fallen greedily into the trap. Then he's of no use. Neither was he a threat.

But then, anyone who touches my family must surely suffer the consequences. He tried to move forward despite the ropes, and his eyes pleaded desperately.

"Spare me, Dave. I promise the Holloway family will be yours from now on," he said.

I scratched my forehead with the butt of the gun and stooped down slowly, my gaze holding his. "You have no choice. The Holloways are already mine."

He nodded his head quickly.

"But then, you must be punished for touching my family." I got up and straightened.

I fired two shots at his left knee and listened to him scream.

Jeff moved closer and handed me a handkerchief. I cleaned my hands and dropped the cloth on his body.

"Boss, we'll take care of him. You need to get treated," he said.

I gazed down at my chest; I had been grazed by a gunshot during the confrontation with the Holloways. But if I don't go back tonight, Celine would be worried. What if she thinks I'm trying to avoid her?

"Let's head back to Atlantic City," I said, turning back almost immediately.

Jeff's concerned voice called out my name. "Boss..." he paused when I turned sharply with a glare at him.

I let out a heavy breath and paused.

"Put a bandage on it, I'll see a doctor when I get to Atlantic," I said and continued to walk out.

I took out my phone to call Celine; the phone rang for a few seconds but wasn't answered. I tried again and got the same response. I decided to text her, and waited seconds for her reply.

There was none.

My heart slammed against my chest.

"Forget the bandage, to the plane first," I ordered and started to move fast.

—

Three hours later, I arrived in Atlantic and had Jeff drive as fast as possible to the house. I rushed inside and raced up the stairs. The moment I got to the front of her room, I heard her loud laugh.

The sound instantly brought relief to my heart. I paused and stared down at my bloodstained shirt; my wound was bleeding from exhaustion.

I thought for a second and didn't want to scare her in this state. I turned around to leave. The door opened at that instant, and Celine rushed out.

Before I even turned, her hands were thrown around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.