Episode Four
926 Words
CHAPTER FOUR
Damian’s POV
Anger burned within me, coursing through my veins like a raging inferno. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Derrick standing there with three men, supposedly her betrothal. The audacity of this man to show up at a private airfield, owned by my friend no less, was infuriating. I needed to end this nonsense and reclaim my wife. I had no time for such dramatics; I had important matters to attend to.
"Keep an eye on her," I barked, handing Claire over to one of my men.
"To the rest of you, follow me," I ordered, my anger propelling me forward. I approached the man, and we stood face to face, mere inches apart.
"I don't know who you are to Claire, and I don't give a damn. I'm here to take back my wife, and I won't leave without her. Hand her over now!" he growled, his breath heavy with intensity, like a ferocious bulldog.
I chuckled darkly at his words. "How much? How much will make you stop this game you're playing? We both know you don't love her, so I'd be doing you a favor taking her off your hands," I retorted, my face stern.
He laughed mockingly, "We both know who needs the money. I'll double whatever you're willing to offer, so just release her to me and let's end this. I wouldn't want to hurt you."
Without a word, I turned toward the helicopter and started walking away. I had no time for a verbal sparring match.
"You dare not walk out on me," he yelled, his voice desperate, but I pressed on without turning back.
"If you don't stop, we'll open fire and shoot," he threatened. My men and I came to an abrupt halt, and we turned back to face them, our guns drawn, pointing at each other.
He had a gun aimed directly at me, and his security men had their guns pointed at mine. The tension in the air was palpable.
"Ask your men to drop their guns, Derrick," I thundered, trying to control my boiling rage.
"You go first, or we'll open fire, and trust me, I have nothing to lose," he replied, an equal intensity in his eyes.
"Fine! Follow me," I said, signaling my men to lower their weapons.
We walked toward the helicopter again, with Derrick and his men close behind, their guns still trained on us. I handed Claire over to him, positioning her between us.
"There, you can have her," I said with a sigh of resignation.
Derrick lowered his gun, thinking he had won, and moved closer to Claire. But in an instant, I pulled out a concealed gun and pointed it at Claire's head, drawing her closer to me, my other hand wrapped around her neck. Derrick froze.
Claire cried out in pain as she felt the cold metal of the gun against her skin.
"Now, ask your men to drop their guns and get your sorry asses out of here," I commanded, a smirk forming on my face.
"Derrick, please listen to him. He'll do it," Claire pleaded, her voice breaking with tears.
Derrick reluctantly signaled his men to drop their guns. I signaled my men to board the helicopter with a nod, then ordered Derrick and his men to step back a few paces. I stepped into the helicopter, using Claire as a shield, and the moment the doors closed, it took off, leaving Derrick behind.
"I'll come back for you, Claire!" he yelled after us, his voice filled with desperation.
***
After a long ride, we finally arrived at my secluded mansion. Only my father and my male best friend knew its location, and they wouldn't dare come here without an invitation. I didn't care that Claire hadn't spoken a word during the flight and the ride. She deserved everything she was getting.
As we got out of the car, I took her hand and led her toward the mansion. My personal maid, Lisa, came forward with a warm smile, but it faded when she saw Claire.
"Take her to the room directly opposite mine, clean her up, get her something to eat, and help her settle in," I commanded, walking toward the balcony.
Lisa nodded and led Claire away. I trusted Lisa; she had been like family to me since I was a child. Her mother worked for my father, and Lisa practically grew up with me. When her mother passed away, Lisa chose to stay and work for us. Now she was my personal maid, and I paid her generously. If she ever chose to leave, she would never suffer, as I had already made arrangements for her.
As I stood on the balcony, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was my man, calling to update me on a case he had been handling for the past two days. One of my trusted men had been stealing from me, and worse, he had plans to betray me to my enemies. He needed money to elope with his pregnant girlfriend.
"Have you gotten him?" I asked my man over the phone.
"Yes, sir. He's right here with us," he replied confidently.
"His girlfriend?" I inquired, ensuring she wasn't involved in any suspicious activities.
"I already told Darko to keep an eye on her. She's been going about her normal activities," he reassured me.
"Good. Take him to the torture house and get my tools ready. I'll be with you soon," I said with a clenched jaw, my features darkening.
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