Loving My Enemy’s Nightmare

Chapter Four

Let's talk about your uncle's sins.”

Karhi’s voice was calm, but his eyes were dark and cold, telling a different story. He'd spent five years planning this moment.

You have ten seconds to tell me where Joy is, else! I will hunt you down and kill you. Elijah shouted through the speaker.

Damn! Is this how you shout and snarl at your fiancé? Karhi smiled and said, “Joy is safe and unharmed for now. Whether she lives or dies depends entirely on your cooperation.

I will kill you! I promise.” Elijah shouted again

If you want to kill me, you have to listen to me attentively. For the warehouse your uncle uses to move product through the port, I like the access codes, security schedules, and shipping manifests for the next month.

Elijah was quiet, but I could hear his mind working, trying to figure out what to do to Karhi, who he was, and how he knew about the warehouse.

Why would I give you anything? Elijah finally talked. I could have men at your location and beat you up.

He was right, but I hated that.

What happens in twenty-four hours? I asked. Elijah won't just hand over those codes; he will definitely set a trap.

Karhi smiled and said, “Of course he will, I'm counting on it too. Elijah is arrogant; he will handle it personally, prove he's still in control, and send men with weapons, thinking he can overpower and rescue his fiancée.

And then?

And then he walks into a situation he can't control. Karhi pulled out a tablet and checked the progress of the building. “The exchange will happen at the old sugary or east bank, abandoned for years. Michael will have a sniper position, and I will leverage it.

I'm the leverage. “I said flatly.

You're the key to everything. His voice softened slightly. Elijah is obsessed with you, Joy. Not because he loves you, men like him don't love. But because you represent something he can control and break.

Taking you from Elijah is not about the code. It's about proving he's vulnerable.

I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold. “ And when this is over, what happens to me?

Karhi was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, he was careful. “That depends on you.”

What do I want? “I wanted an everyday life, a job I didn't hate to pay for Tolu without selling myself to that monster. But that's gone now.

You become free. Karhi said.

He moved closer, close enough that I could smell expensive cologne and gunpowder. You've been a prisoner for two years, Joy. Working yourself to death so that you can pay off a debt that wasn't yours, let him hit you, control you. That's not living. You're just dying slowly.

“I gave you a choice, I gave you a weapon, and I want you to fight back. Maybe that makes me a monster. Karhi said.

I wanted to pull away, I wanted to tell him he was wrong, that I wasn't like him, and I would never be like him.

But standing in that warehouse, covered in someone else's blood and lying to my abusive fiancé, I wasn't sure that was true anymore.

“Teach me, I said boldly.

Karhi’s eyes widened slowly, What?”

Tolu and I need to survive this, and I can't be weak anymore. I can't freeze and rely on you anymore or anyone else to save him. “I straightened my shower and said, “ Teach me how to fight, how to shoot, and how to be dangerous.

Something flickered in his expression. Could it be a surprise, respect, or maybe something darker, Joy!”

“You said I chose to fight, you said I wasn't supposed to be brave.” I stepped closer to him, refusing to back down. “So help me be braver. Help me be the kind of person Elijah should be afraid of.”

“Alright,” he reached for the rifle, checked the chamber, then offered it to me.

First lesson: Never point a gun at someone unless you're ready to kill.

Secondly, if you point it, you'd better not miss it.

The weapon was heavier than I expected. My hands shook slightly as I accepted it.

I've never…”

I know. Karhi moved behind me, his hand guiding mine into the correct position, his chest pressed my back, his breath warm against my ear. “That's why we start now. By the time Elijah comes for you, you won't be his victim anymore. You'll be his nightmare.

“See that stack of crates at the far end?” he murmured. “That's your target. Breathe in and exhale slowly. Between breaths, you squeeze, don't pull the trigger.”

I followed the instructions, feeling the tension in my shoulder, the rapid beat of my heart, and I squeezed the trigger.

The gunshot cracked through the warehouse like thunder. The recoil jolted through my arms, and I stumbled back to Karhi’s chest. He caught me easily.

“Did I?

“See for yourself.”

I squinted at all the crates. A hole had appeared in the wood, and it was definitely a hit.

“Not bad for your first shot,” Karhi said. “Again, this time compensate for the recoil.

We spent the following hour teaching and learning from each other. How to stand, how to breathe, and how to become someone capable of violence.

With each shot, I felt something inside me shift. The sacred and broken lady Elijah created is burning away.

Finally, Karhi called a halt. My arms ached, my ears rang despite the protection he'd given me, but I felt alive in a way I hadn't in years.

You're natural,” he said, taking the rifle back. “Give it another week, then you will be better than most of Elijah’s men.

“We don't have a week, Karhi, we have twenty-four hours.

We don't have to wait for Elijah to make his first move. Karhi pulled out his phone and started typing rapidly. “ Michael has been busy while we've been here, and he has found something interesting about the warehouse.

“What?

Karhi’s phone buzzed before he could answer. He glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened.

“f**k!”

What? What is it?

It's a news alert; Vincent has been released on bail, and Captain Mark is in critical condition.

But that wasn't what made my blood run cold. He read another news item, “Local woman kidnapped from Williams’ estate.” They are searching for you, Joy Lewis!

Elijah had reported the kidnap, which means all the cop will be looking for me, and when they found me, I wouldn't be a victim anymore but an accomplice.

“He played us, Elijah figured out.

“No” Elijah’s jaw clenched. “He didn't figure out anything, he's just desperate. But this… he gestured at his phone. “This changes the timeline. We can't wait for twenty four hours, we have to move now.

Karhi’s smile was sharp and deadly.

To end this tonight, Elijah wants a war?

Let’s give him one!!!