Chapter 73
When I woke up, it took a moment to realize where I was. The mom was dark, damp, and smelled like mold. My hands and feet were und nightly with megh ropes, and every movement made them dit into my si
Turning my head,
Rese slumped beside mi her eyes closed. “Hour! Rese, wake up?” I rated, shohing my body to nudge her
She lex not a soft groan belier blinking herself awoke for face son pale with combnimm Natlu where are
“We’ve been ambushed,” I said, trying to keep my voter rady. “Gemma and her people grodded us and forked on up”
The frustration hit me hard. I should’ve known better. Walking into that house without thinking had been terken
Before Frould say more, the door creaked open, and someoor strolled in, whiching a cherry time that felt completely not of place
A scruffy guy 1917 150ket woped down a chair with his sleeve, grinning as he turned to call out, “Boss, they’re awoker | |
Gemma walked in moments later, clinging to the arm of a man who looked like trouble. His frame was massive, his presence intimidating, and a
across his cheek.
lked into the wrong room at the karaoke bar
As soon as I saw box Lace, a job of recognition hit me. I seen him before the night I walked into
“Mc. Hinton,” he said, his voler dripping with mockery. “Long time no see. He tibed his head, a sinister smirk spreading arross has face. “Forrest Green King any bells? I’m the guy you were searching for U
My stomach dropped. The drug I had seen that night was U
Then it all clicked Gemma’s cryptic words about Aiden provoking her man. Forrest must’ve figured out Aiden was trying i operation. This was payback
to infiltrate their
I stared at him, forcing myself to stay calm. “Look, we’re not trying to mess with your business,” I said, my voice even. There’s been a misunderstanding. All I want is to find the person who poisoned my adoptive mother,”
Fiching wasn’t an option right now. If we were going to survive this, I had to play it smark
“Oh, it’s a misunderstanding” Forrest said with a mocking grin, pulling Cemma closer. His voice was syrupy with fake sympathy. “Baby, didn’t you * Ma Hinton here is part of the Smith family! And if I’m not wrong. Maple Media’s worth a couple billion, right?”
Gemma tilted her head, a smug smile playing on her lips. She leaned into him like this was all a game. “That’s right! But apparently. Ms. Hinton can’t even cough up 3 million dollars.
“Maybe in her eyes, Aiden just isn’t worth it. Poor fool—he was still calling her name when we knocked him out.”
My stomach twisted at her words. They had hun Aiden.
“I want to see Aident Rose suddenly shouted, her voice shaking but determined. Her red–rimmed eyes glared at Forrest as she gritted her teeth. “Let him go! I’ll pay the three million, just let us leave!”
She glared at Forrest, her courage pushing through the fear. Cemina’s words had clearly struck a nerve. Rose already knew about Aiden’s feelings. for me, but she couldn’t set aside her worry for him.
I stayed silent, caught between guilt and fear
Forrest raised an eyebrow, smirking “Well, would you look at that! Another hopeless romantic. You rich fellas really know how to keep things dramatic
bring Aiden here, now! Rose demanded, her voice steady despite the tears threatening to spili
“If you’re after money, brui
Forrest chuckled, shaking his head. “Money? If she were just Natalia Hinton, sure, 3 million dollars might’ve done it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
His smile widened, dripping with malice. “You’re Ms. Smith now–a walking ATM. I don’t need your pocket change. I need you to make a call to Dadily dearest and get him to play along
“I hear Maple Media’s got a few cargo ships. Your dad’s going to help me move some… items.”
My stomach churned. “You want to use the Smith family’s ships to smuggle War” I said, my voice sharp. “That’s not happening!”
ne for a long moment
We wouldn’t do this kind of shady business. Forrest’s smile faded, replaced by a dangerosis glint in his eyes. He stared at me before barking an order. “Bring him in!”
1/2
Chapter to
Moments birt, one of his bu krys dragged a
ei man into the room. My heart sank as I realized when
“Anden?” Koer’s scream shattered the rente silense
The thug threw Aiden into the corper like a broken doll. Roue immediately tried to crawl toward him, her desperation written all over her fare
My stomach tested at the sight of him Moodied, barely comcious–isge exploded inside me. Without thinking. I forced myself up and lunged at
He sidestepped me hike I was nothing, laughing like it was all a joke. Hic mough hand graldeid my chân, tilting my face up so I couldn’t look away “Ms Hinton he speed not interested in my little deal?
telared at
him, my jaw tight, refusing to say a word. Tonest’s grinalarkened, and he raised his hand.
- Rose’s panicked cry snapped me back. I tumed just in time to see the thug lift an iron bar and stam it down on Aiden’s wrISE
The sickening crack was followed by Aiden’s groan of agony, his whole body trembling from the pain.
My chest felt like it was going to burst. “You coward” I yelled, my voice shaking with rage. “This is between you and met Let them god
Forrest’s lips curled into a smirk. You? Oh, I wouldn’t dream of hurting you, sweetheart. You’re my golden goose Them They’re just bargaining chips
“Still don’t want to make that call?” he asked, his tone oozing mockery.
I swallowed hard my voice sharp and low. “Even if I agree to call, my father won’t lift a linger for me. I just got back to the Smith family. I mean nothing to him”
Forest ulted his head, his eyes gleaming “Leave that to me. All I need is for you to dial
I took a shaky breath, glancing at Rose and Aiden. “Fine. I will call. But only if you send them to the hospital linst. Otherwise, no deal”
Forrest studied me, then gave a sharp nod. “Fine. Get them out of here,” he barked at his men.
The thugs moved to drag Aiden and Rose away. I stepped closer, keeping my voice steady: “I want to know if you’re safe. Call me when you’re at the hospital.
Rose looked at me then Aiden, her eyes swimming with worry. “Natalia, be careful.”
The moment they were gone, I turned back to Forrest, I’m alone now. No one’s coming for me. And I can’t exactly make a call like this, can I?” I lifted my bound wrists. “You want me to help you? Then untie me.”
Forrest’s eyes narrowed. After a teme pause, he nodded toward Gemma. “Untic her.”
As soon as the ropes were untied. I rubbed my wrists, wincing at the raw skin.
I sank back into the chair, trying to push the rising panic aside and telling myself to stay calm. I needed to keep my head clear if I had any chance of getting out of this
Minutes ticked by before I finally spoke. “If I’m not back by morning the Smith family will notice. They’ll call the police.” I kept my voice steady, meeting Forrest’s gaze. “Are you really not worried about that?”
He chuckled, the sound low and condescending. “Let them look. Even if they search all of Enschester, they won’t find us.”
1 froze, his words sinking in “We’re not in Enschester
The realization hit like a punch. If we weren’t in the city, why had he let Rose and Aiden go? Wouldn’t he be worried they d alert the authorities!
Unless
A sick feeling churned in my gut. I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at him. “If you’ve done anything to them, if you’ve broken your word, don’t think you’re getting anything out of me. Ever.”
Forrest barely glanced my way, his smirk infuriatingly c
calm.
Just then, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, checked the screen, and grinned. “Right on time,” he muttered, then held it out to the
