The Man They Wanted
703 Words
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Man They Wanted
“Tell me everything,” I demanded.
Damian gripped his keys. “There's no time.”
“Then make time! My brother is missing, and someone wants you to meet them alone. I'm done following you blindly.”
His eyes met mine.
For a moment, I thought he would refuse. Instead, he pulled out his phone and showed me an address.
“An abandoned warehouse near the river. That's where they want me to go.”
“And you're going alone?”
“Yes.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Serena, this isn't a negotiation.”
“Neither is my brother's life!”
The words echoed through the room.
Damian stared at me, his jaw tight. Then he exhaled sharply.
“You stay in the car. You do exactly what my security team tells you, and you don't approach anyone without my signal.”
I nodded, although neither of us believed I'd obey every instruction.
Twenty minutes later, we reached the warehouse.
The building stood in near darkness, its broken windows reflecting the headlights. Damian's security team remained farther back while he approached the entrance.
I watched him disappear inside.
Seconds passed.
Then my phone vibrated.
YOU SHOULD HAVE COME ALONE, DAMIAN.
A second message followed.
YOUR GUEST ISN'T AS SAFE AS YOU THINK.
My blood ran cold.
I turned towards the driver, but his seat was empty.
Before I could react, someone opened my door.
A man in a dark jacket leaned inside.
“Miss Vale, come with me.”
I scrambled away. “Where's the driver?”
“Busy.”
He reached for my arm, but I pulled free and ran towards the warehouse entrance.
I heard him shout behind me.
Then I heard a crash from inside.
“Damian!”
I rushed through the doorway.
He stood in the centre of the warehouse, facing two men. One held a phone displaying Noah's photograph.
“Where is my brother?” I demanded.
All three men turned.
Damian's expression changed instantly.
“I told you to stay outside!”
“And I told you I wasn't leaving Noah to you!”
The taller man laughed.
“Touching. But we're not interested in your arguments.”
He looked directly at Damian.
“Where is the original evidence?”
Damian said nothing.
The man raised his phone. Noah appeared on the screen, frightened but unharmed.
“Last chance, Cross.”
Damian slowly removed a small flash drive from his pocket.
My heart sank.
He had brought something they wanted.
“You told me you didn't have proof,” I whispered.
He glanced at me, guilt flashing across his face.
“I lied.”
The taller man extended his hand.
“Give it to me, and the boy goes free.”
Damian held the drive tightly.
“First, let me speak to Noah.”
The man hesitated before turning the phone towards my brother.
“Serena?” Noah's voice came through, shaky but clear. “Don't let him give them anything!”
A hand pulled Noah out of view.
The screen went black.
“NOAH!”
I rushed forward, but Damian caught my wrist.
“Don't.”
I turned on him, tears burning my eyes.
“You knew they had him. You knew what they wanted. What else have you been hiding?”
His grip loosened.
“Everything I thought would keep you safe.”
The taller man stepped closer.
“Enough drama. The drive, Cross. Now.”
Damian looked at me once before throwing the flash drive across the floor.
The man picked it up and smiled.
“Your father would be disappointed in you.”
Damian went completely still.
I looked between them.
“My father?” I whispered.
The man's smile widened.
“Oh, she doesn't know?”
He leaned towards me.
“Your father didn't die because he discovered our secret, Serena.”
He paused.
“He died because Damian tried to save him—and failed.”
The warehouse fell silent.
I stared at Damian, waiting for him to deny it.
He didn't.
And in that moment, I realised the truth might destroy the very person I had begun to trust.
To be continued…
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