Chapter 43
“Let’s get her outta here and take some photos and videos. She’s all alone with no family to speak of, and nobody in Henisburg’s gonna miss her. The boss said she’s expendable,” one of the thugs said, his voice echoing in the alley.
“How about we keep her around? She’s go
got no one to come looking, and she’s easy on the eyes. We could have ourselves some fun for a while, another thug said while leering at Courtney, his words making the air grow thick with malice
The more they talked, the more disgusting they sounded, showing the ugliest side of humanity.
Courtney had no family or allies in Henisburg, and now, as a mute with a mental disability, she was powerless against the darkness that sought to swallow her whole. The downtrodden often faced the worst of what people were capable of
“Not a bad plan,” the leader of the thugs agreed with a twisted smile, gesturing for his crew to take Courtney away
The leader moved in to claim Courtney for his own twisted pleasure, but Hayden’s hoot connected with his gut, sending him sprawling. The leader stared up at Hayden in shock
With his head still bandaged from a recent ght. Hayden grabbed the man by the collar and landed a punch that spoke volumes about his fury
“Zach! Make sure none of these scumbags get away Hayden mared, his anger palpalide. He’d arrived just minutes too late, and these lowlifes had already dared to touch Courtney.
“Bastard!” Hayden growled, kicking the leader in the stomach with enough force to make the man double over. “It’s the law that’s keeping you alive right now. Otherwise, you’d be six feet under!”
“Hayden! Ease up, man. We don’t need a body, Zach interjected, pulling Hayden back. “You need to get Courtney to the hospital,
Hayden’s intensity was off the charts, it was clear he was itching to take a life.
Another thug, who was quivering against the wall, couldn’t help but wonder who Hayden was. His presence was nothing like the other gangsters they usually dealt with
“Who sent you” Hayden demanded, his voice cutting through the air.
The thug leaned against the wall with his legs shaking. Hayden had taken down his leader with a single punch, nearly killing him. Besides, to the thug. Hayden looked like a nightmare come to life with his head wrapped in bandages.
“You’re not gonna talk? Hayden sneered, his experience from South Weidan giving him plenty of leverage over these punks.
Without warning. Hayden yanked the thug’s head back, slamming it against the wall and wrenching the thug’s arm behind his back. The pain was excruciating and unrelenting, and the thug’s screams echoed down the alley.
Meanwhile, Zach had taken care of the other two, getting them into the car.
“TIL Til talk, I only know his name is Kent Zimmerman, the thug gasped, his voice breaking
Hayden glared at the thugs and barked, “Take them all to the police station. If they don’t give up something useful…” He paused, his grip tightening on one of the thugs. “Tim not a choirboy, and I won’t hesitate to wipe out your whole family”
The thugs knew they were in deep trouble, Hayden’s threat wasn’t an empty one.
“Get them out of here: Zach ordered, massaging his temples as the thugs were hauled away. He looked at Hayden, his expression a mix of concern and resignation “You’re a peacekeeper… not a gangster,” he reminded Hayden with a sigh.
Hayden didn’t respond to Zach. Instead, he tenderly cradled Courtney in his arms, careful not to cause her any more harm.
Picking up on Hayden’s care for Courtney, Zach kept his distance, following quietly. It was clear to him that Hayden held Courtney close to his
“Gather all the evidence we can. I want these guys off the streets of Henisburg for good,” Hayden declared, his voice a rumble that echoed with determination
as well aware of Hayden’s capabilities, he’d shown remarkable restraint by not taking any lives this time around.
Inside the rented
apartment, with undy
faint glow of a streetligi hering through the windows, Comey’s eyes supped open,
She sat bolt upright seithi laer hands instinctively clutching her head, her body shaking with fear. Her mial races with a whilwind of traumatic
Incinories
Hayden was heating mulk for Courtney, thinking it might calm her down. When he came back, he found her tearing at her hair, a clear sign she was
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Chapter 43
losing it Courtney, it’s okay he said softly, his voice steady amidst her panic. Tm here
Hayden closed the gap in a few quick steps, wrapping Courtney in a hug as if to shield her from her own demons. It’s over. We re home, and you’re safe” he added. His words were a soothing chant that battled the turmoil in her mind.
After a beat of disorientation Courtney’s gaze found Hayden’s. The floodgates opened, and she sobbed, her cries echoing through the room.
Hayden held Courtney close. “Let it out,” he whispered, his breath tickling her hair. He understood that releasing the pain was healthier than keeping it locked away.
Courtney’s tears streamed down for what felt like hours before she moved her hands, using sign language. “Those people…”
“Taken care of, Hayden assured her, his tone resolute. I’ve handed them over to the cops. We’ve got our eyes on a guy named Kent, and he’s linked
the Lewis family” he added, his jaw tight, showing just how serious this whole situation was
“Courtney” Hayden lowered his voice to a whisper. You can’t trust Austin. He’s n not on your side…”
nodded in grim realization. She’d finally faced
Courtney’s fingers were locked in a fierce grip on Hayden’s shirt, her knuckles turning white as she no the hard truth. Austin wasn’t someone she could trust anymore.
Right then, a sharp knock on the door made them both jump. Courtney’s eyes flicked to the door with a mix of fear and suspicion in them. Hayden raised a finger to his lips, signaling for quietness.
“Courtney, it’s me. Austin, came the muffled voice from the other side.
Hayden’s face darkened, but before he could tell Austin to get lost, Courtney stopped him. She shook her head, silently asking Hayden to let her talk to Austin alone
Hayden paused with his hand on Courtney’s wrist. He wavered, debating whether to tell Courtney about the life insurance Austin had taken out on her parents.
“Courtney…” Hayden started to say, his voice thick with emotion. There’s something you should know. Before your parents… before they passed, Austin… he took out a hefty life insurance policy on them”
