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For a moment, Dexter hesitates, but eventually, he dials the number.
He holds the phone to his ear, and after a beep, someone on the other end answers.
The person on the line promptly starts disclosing crucial details to Dexter. The content of the conversation is so incriminating that Dexter's complexion turns pale.
“I was confident your men would discover my plan and steal the device. But thankfully, the closer you had it to your phone, the easier it was to access your personal data.”
“You fucking…” He points the gun at me again. “You have five seconds to erase the data, or I'll blow your brains out. Right here, right now.”
“It doesn't work like that,” I assure him. “I couldn’t care less what you might do with me. However, your men will be pleased to know I possess information on them. On each and every one of them. Their lives, their families... if I die, you all go down with me.”
Dexter's goons suddenly look uncomfortable.
I smile. “If I were you, I wouldn't risk it, gentlemen. Your children's lives, your parent’s lives, and your partner’s lives are not worth this bastard's. I'll let you all go if you release me. I only want him.”
My gaze fixes on Dexter, who looks nervous. “Surely you don't think my men will turn on me that easily.”
“Maybe not,” I admit, shrugging. “They may care more about you than their own families, but why risk it?”
A hushed stillness blankets the room, a thick tension hanging in the air. It appears that allegiances remain undecided, a sea of hesitation among the ranks. But then, the first among the men shifts his stance.
I glance, and it's Cody—the man who sold me out to Dexter and Mike because of his daughter. He unties my hands. I stand up on weak legs, massaging my sore wrists.
“Checkmate, Dexter,” I say victoriously as I move forward, hands in my pants pockets.
Dexter slowly steps backward, realizing the whole situation has turned against him. “What the hell do you want for your silence?”
Smiling, I approach him.
“For starters... Brandon Prescott,” I answer, and with no hesitation in my voice, I continue. “I intend to collect every outstanding debt we have with that fucker, and he'll learn, just as you have, that no one messes with the ones I love.”
This is for Kristine.
CHAPTER TWENTY
KRISTINE
“Come on,Kristine. It's time to wake up.”
Brandon stirs me, unconsciously making my heart skip a beat.
I open my eyes cautiously, noticing Brandon watching me with a raised eyebrow. He's dressed in an expensive suit and tie. I remember a time when the sight of Brandon this way would turn my butterflies into flames. Now I'm numb to anything but the need to sever ties with him. To only co-parent and start my new life with…
Ethan.
I reach for my cellphone on the nightstand, careful not to wake Asher. But I don't have any missed calls or new text messages from Ethan or Andres.
My eyelids press together as I draw in a shaky breath, willing my heart to steady its frantic pace.
“Please, let him be safe,” I whisper in my heart, a silent prayer for Ethan's safety floating up from the depths of my anxious soul.
I feel Brandon's eyes on me, scrutinizing and damning. I focus inward, clinging to the flicker of hope that Ethan is out there, fighting to return to Asher and me.
I think about how loving Ethan has changed me. Once, I danced to the rhythm of others' expectations, pirouetting on a stage for the approval of everyone except me.
A ruthless cocktail of fear, control, and depression. My son was the only reason I woke up and protecting him gave me the courage to leave my marriage. But love's given me a new reason to fight.
These past couple of months with Ethan have opened my eyes. I want more. More than getting away from Brandon. But I'm ready to build a family and a relationship based on love and mutual respect.
