Claimed By A Criminal

CHAPTER 5

" Emilia, can I dance with you? " Harry asked Emilia, his eyes filled with a captivating intensity that seemed to draw her in.

Emilia hesitated for a moment, her heart racing. " No... I should get going now, " she replied, her voice trembling with nervousness.

Harry's expression shifted to one of shock. "No way," he exclaimed, as if the idea of her leaving was inconceivable to him.

" The party has just started, and you're trying to leave...................., " he insisted, his tone taking on a somewhat controlling quality.

" Harry...................., " Emilia started, her voice trembling, " it's too late now. I should get going. My dad will surely become angry if I stay here any longer."

Harry's demeanour softened. " Okay........," he said gently, understanding the gravity of the situation.

" I'll take you home........., " Harry offered, concern evident in his eyes as he looked at her.

" Harry...............," his group of friends called out, signalling for him to join the game they were about to play.

Emilia watched as they all enjoyed themselves, a wistful expression on her face. " But..., " Harry began to protest.

" It's okay, Harry...........," Emilia interrupted, trying to reassure him. " I'll go with Aunt Olivia."

Olivia, Harry's mother, stepped in. " Yes, I'll take her....," she said, smiling at Emilia.

Olivia had always been kind to Emilia, perhaps sensing Harry's secret affection for her. Emilia smiled back at Olivia, appreciating her warmth.

" Okay..." Harry reluctantly agreed, finally realizing that Emilia would be in safe hands.

As Olivia and Emilia prepared to leave, Olivia spoke to Harry. " We're leaving now, Harry. Emilia's father will be worried about her."

" Enjoy your day with your friends......," Olivia added, patting Harry on the shoulder with a warm smile. " And don't forget to thank them for making your day special."

Harry nodded at his mom and hugged Emilia tightly, as though it might be their last embrace.

Emilia blushed and offered a shy smile to Harry before departing for home with Olivia.

During their journey, Emilia and Olivia reminisce about the happy memories from their past. Emilia spoke about her mother, who had tragically died in an accident when Emilia was just three years old. Tears welled up in her eyes as she shared her memories.

Olivia comforted her, offering soothing words and gently patting her shoulder. Their bond grew stronger as they shared their stories.

When Olivia dropped Emilia off outside her house, Emilia waved goodbye with a smile. However, neither of them noticed the three black cars parked nearby.

Olivia reversed her car hastily, waved to Emilia, and drove away, leaving Emilia standing alone outside her house.

Emilia was taken aback by the sight of three sleek black cars parked some distance from her home. She approached her front door cautiously, but her fear intensified when she realized the door was already ajar, and menacing growling noises emanated from inside the house.

She stood paralyzed outside her own home, her eyes filled with terror.

.................................................................

Meanwhile, Shane arrived on the street where Dawson lived, a sense of ominous determination in the air.

Three black, shiny Audi cars were parked nearby. Shane sat in one of them, accompanied by a driver. The other two cars carried Daniel and some of his armed men, along with the injured worker who was leading them to Dawson's house.

Dawson's house, an old, small structure at the street's corner, lay ahead. Shane, dressed in a sharp blue office suit that made him look strikingly handsome, had eyes that burned with rage. He moved toward the house with a calculated intensity, akin to a lion preparing to pounce on its prey.

Shane's men knocked on Dawson's door, with Shane lurking behind them. The sound of footsteps approached, and the door slowly swung open.

" Emilia ...............," Shane heard a voice shout, but to Dawson's shock, he was met with a group of men clad in black suits, each brandishing a weapon.

Terrified, Dawson tried to slam the door shut, exerting all his strength. However, Shane's men pushed him back into the house, allowing Shane to enter as well.

" Hello, Dawson..............," Shane spoke coldly, his icy gaze piercing through Dawson's very soul.

Dawson trembled like a leaf out of water, his hair gripped and yanked as he was dragged across the floor into the living room.

Shane took a seat in the lounge, and Dawson was unceremoniously dumped in front of him by Shane's menacing associates.

Shane grabbed Dawson's face, forcefully slamming it onto the table. Blood began to trickle from Dawson's head, staining the table.

Shane clenched his fist and delivered a brutal blow to Dawson's face. " What do you think you are? " he barked, his voice thundering through the room.

Dawson pleaded incessantly, but Shane's men continued their ruthless assault.

" Enough...........," Shane finally shouted, his tone as cold as ice. Blood flowed freely from Dawson's head, and his face was mangled from the relentless beating.

" Where are the containers? " Shane demanded, gripping a handful of Dawson's hair.

"I sold them to one of your competitors..............," Dawson replied weakly, his voice barely audible through the blood in his mouth.

" You son of a b***h," Shane roared, crushing Dawson's face further with his boot against the floor.

Amidst the chaos, a melodious yet terrified voice rang out. " Dad," the girl cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as she approached Dawson.

Shane looked up and was captivated by the sight of an enchanting girl drawing near. She had the appearance of a fragile doll, her eyes glistening like emeralds, her lips quivering with fear. Her creamy white complexion shimmered beneath the short, flared dress, casting an enchanting spell that was both captivating and irresistibly distracting. She resembled a celestial being, akin to a fallen angel, radiating a magnetic allure that drew the devil's attention with an even greater intensity.

" Dad ............." was the only word that escaped her gentle lips as she implored in front of the man she did not realize was a devil, her treasures hidden behind those innocent eyes, and an unsavoury lust gleaming in Shane's gaze.