Semua Bab Owned By My Best Friend's Father: Bab 241 - Bab 250

DAMIEN'S POV I push open the heavy doors and step inside. The prison corridor is dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of disinfectant and despair. I make my way toward the cell block where Samson was held, my footsteps echoing off the concrete walls. When I reach his cell, I stop. The door is open. Inside, a body lies on the floor, covered with a white sheet. Two guards stand nearby, their faces grim. "Mr. Cross," one of them says, stepping forward. "We weren't expecting you." "I need to see him." "Sir, I don't think—" "I said I need to see him." The guard exchanges a glance with his partner, then nods reluctantly. He pulls back the sheet. Samson's face is pale, his eyes half-open, his mouth frozen in a silent scream. I stare at the body, my mind goes blank. He's dead. He's actually dead. The threats he made, the promises to find Leah, to take her, to.… all gone. He can't hurt her anymore. And yet, I feel no relief. Only a cold, hollow emptiness. Elric's face flashes

LEAH'S POV I sit in the booth for a long time, the hot chocolate warming my hands and the silence wrapping around me like a blanket. Mira sits across from me, watching me with those knowing eyes that don't push but don't look away either. The diner hums around us. The clink of cups and the low murmur of conversation. The hiss of the espresso machine. Normal sounds that make me feel like the world is still turning even though mine feels stuck. I look at the cup in my hands. The chocolate is almost gone. "I should go," I say quietly. "I've been here too long." Mira shakes her head. "You've been here as long as you need to be. You're always welcome here, mija. You know that." I nod. I do know that. She's always been like this. A constant in a world that keeps shifting under my feet. I reach for my phone. I haven't checked it since I walked in and stared at the screen for a long moment. Emily's name is at the top of my recent calls. She called me multiple times but I didn't answer

EMILY'S POV The mall was crowded and noisy when we got there. We weave through the crowds, bumping shoulders and laughing at things that aren't really that funny. The air smells like cinnamon pretzels, expensive perfume, and something sweet from the bakery on the second floor. "This store," I say, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a boutique. Immediately a woman comes up to us with a bright smile. She's dressed in all black and a measuring tape draped around her neck. "Hi, good afternoon. What can I do for you today?" she asks warmly. I glance at Leah who looks like she wants to disappear into the floor. Her eyes are darting around the store, taking in the expensive fabrics and the price tags she can probably see from across the room. "We're looking for something special," I say, smiling back at the saleswoman. "Something that makes her feel beautiful." The saleswoman's eyes land on Leah and her smile softens. "Of course. We have some lovely new arrivals that would sui

ELRIC’S POVRain against the window is the first thing I hear when I wake up. For a few seconds, I don’t know where I am.Then everything comes back crashing on me and I remember: my father is dead. I have to plan his funeral.The safe house is quiet. I could hear someone moving around in the kitchen ... .dishes, the low murmur of a voice but I didn't go in. I can’t stand the look in their eyes. I didn't need their pity. My father was not really loved; he was a tyrant who met his end.I put on the clothes I wore yesterday not bothering that it smells of smoke and sweat and headed out.When I reached the front door Damien stepped out of the kitchen and I could see the exhaustion no matter how hard he tried to hide it.“Elric. Where are you going?” he asks“Funeral home. I need to make the arrangements.”“I’ll go with you,” he says turning to the couch to pick up a shirt.“No.” The word comes out sharper than I intend. “I have to do this myself.”“Elric—”“I said no.” I grab my jacket

ETHAN'S POV I sit outside my father's house in my car for a long time staring at the front door trying hard to find the right words to tell him I don't need his men anymore. Knowing my father it would be very difficult, the rain had stopped after a while. The house looms ahead of me, cold and empty and full of memories I'd rather forget. I should have just called him and told him over the phone but I know he won't have accepted that he would love to watch me squirm. I get out and walk to the door without knocking I walk in. I meet my father in his study just like always. He sat behind his desk reading something on his tablet. He doesn't look up when I enter. "Ethan," he says. "Back so soon? I wasn't expecting you this early." "Father." I stop in front of his desk. "I came to tell you I don't need the men anymore." He finally looks up at me his face unreadable. "Oh?" "Leah is back. She's safe so I don't need your men anymore." He sets the tablet down and leans back in his c