Chapter 14
1009 Words
The night air clung to Ben’s skin like sweat as he stepped into the secluded car park behind Vinx Wrist Collections. His eyes darted across the dark corners of the lot, heart thumping against his ribcage. This was not part of his usual script. Business was supposed to be clean, controlled. But tonight, he was crossing into the shadows.
He was about to meet Alex.
Jane's ex. An ex-convict with a dark past, a reputation for extortion, and—unfortunately—the only person who could unravel the noose Jane had been tightening around his neck.
Ben’s phone buzzed. A single text: "Here."
He turned. A tall, wiry figure stepped out of a black sedan parked near the far wall. Alex wore a baseball cap low over his brow, but his stance was unmistakable—predatory, confident, dangerous.
Ben squared his shoulders and walked forward. "You got my message."
Alex chuckled. "You sound surprised. You're lucky I'm bored. And greedy. What do you want from me, Mr. Billionaire?"
Ben didn’t flinch. "Jane. I want her exposed."
Alex leaned against his car, folding his arms. "You’re screwing her, aren’t you? You look like the type who’d fall for her sob stories."
"I didn’t fall. I was trapped."
Alex’s smile widened. "Ah. So she got to you too. Figures. That girl’s been poison since day one."
Ben’s jaw tightened. "I need proof. Something that ties her to you. Something that discredits her enough to ruin her leverage."
Alex glanced at his phone. "That’s not how this works. You want my help, you pay."
"I’ll pay. But I want results. Not games. Not setups. I’m risking everything."
"Then you better be prepared to lose everything," Alex said, voice suddenly cold. "Jane’s not stupid. She’s always three steps ahead. If you want to outsmart her, we need bait. And you’re going to be it."
Ben hesitated. He didn’t like being the pawn, but he had no choice. Jane had cornered him, and Alex might be the only way out.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Leave that to me, but you’ll need to act like nothing’s changed. Let her keep thinking she owns you."
Ben nodded slowly. It went against every instinct, but he had to play along. "And what do you get out of this?"
Alex grinned. "Revenge."
---
Across the city, Jane paced her hotel suite, her silk robe swaying as she clutched a wine glass. Her lips curled in amusement. Ben thought he could keep her on a leash, but she could see the tremor in his eyes, the hesitation in his voice. He was planning something.
She picked up her burner phone and dialed a number she hadn’t used in months.
"He’s squirming," she said when the line picked up. "Time to tighten the rope."
"What if he bolts?" the man asked on the other end.
"He won’t," Jane said confidently. "Not with Diana still in the picture."
---
Meanwhile, Chief Laz stood in the shadows of his office in Boca Holdings, watching the flickering security feed. Frank had just left, another whispered phone call in the hallway.
Laz narrowed his eyes. Frank was too slick, too eager. And his reports were vague.
He picked up his phone and dialed a secured line. "Activate a shadow trace on Frank’s number. No slip-ups. I want to know who he’s talking to."
From behind the tinted glass of his office, he saw Ben walking down the corridor. Laz ended the call and stepped back from the window.
He had shared many things with his son lately—strategies, debts, and names. But there were deeper layers to this war. Secrets he had yet to reveal. And one name he feared would come back to haunt them all: Shadrach.
---
Back at his penthouse, Ben stared out of the window at the city lights. The meeting with Alex rattled him more than he wanted to admit. But it also opened a door.
He poured himself a drink. Diana’s laughter floated in from the other room as she FaceTimed her father. The Wolof patriarch who had helped them launch the Gambia partnership.
Ben couldn’t bring this darkness into her world. Not yet.
He stepped into the hallway and heard her say, "Papa, Ben’s handling the Vinx expansion like a pro. You’ll be proud."
He smiled faintly, then retreated into the guest room and locked the door.
His burner phone rang.
Alex.
"Change of plans," the voice said. "Tomorrow night. I’ll text you the address. Come alone. And bring a wire."
Ben’s breath caught. "What are you planning?"
"A reunion. Jane won’t see it coming."
---
The next evening, Ben arrived at the dingy warehouse address Alex sent. He wore the wire as instructed, hidden beneath his dress shirt.
Alex was already there, pacing. "She’ll be here in fifteen. Are you still sure about this?"
Ben nodded. "Let’s end this."
Moments later, Jane arrived, strutting in stilettos, eyes gleaming. "I knew it. You two... together again. Cute."
Alex stepped forward. "You thought you could play me, Jane? I taught you everything."
Jane smirked. "And you think Ben’s loyal to you? He’s mine. Always will be."
Ben looked at her, heart pounding. "Not anymore."
Before she could speak, red and blue lights flooded the windows. Sirens wailed.
Jane’s face turned pale.
Alex turned to Ben in confusion. "You called them?"
Ben shook his head slowly. "I didn’t."
The doors burst open.
A tall figure in a black coat stepped into the warehouse. Neither Alex nor Jane had seen him before, but they both froze.
The figure removed his sunglasses and said in a smooth voice, "You’ve all been very busy."
Alex’s eyes widened. His voice cracked. "No... It can’t be..."
Ben stepped back, confused. "Who is he?"
The man looked at Alex. "You remember me. You should. You left me to die in Morocco."
Alex stumbled, breath shallow. "They said you were dead."
The man smiled. "You were wrong.”
Jane snuggled out of the scene unnoticed.Not ready for any show unveiling at the moment.
- Writer
