Outplayed…
**Veronica’s POV**
Right after informing me of the success of the plan, Drago had actually requested that I come over to see things for myself, and as I drove to the arranged meeting point, I couldn’t contain the mix of emotions I felt. It was a strange blend of excitement, adrenaline, and anxiety. Drago had assured me everything had gone according to plan, but amidst the excitement, I couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something didn’t feel right.
As I approached the hideout, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was a voice message from Drago.
“Greetings, your Highness. I just wanted to let you know that these kids have been crying ever since they were brought here. I don’t know what happened exactly, but when I went out to find something for them to eat, one of my men apparently shot one of them, and now he’s dead. I’m really sorry, your Highness.” The moment the voice note ended, I had to slam on the brakes because the shock hit me harder than I expected. I grabbed my phone to respond with a voice note of my own as I tried to calm my nerves.
“What is that supposed to mean? How dare you allow those incompetent fools to touch the children? Do you forget that I need them alive, or else I won’t get things done? And now, you’ve gone ahead and killed one of them. You know what? I’m no longer coming over. If you know what’s best for you, I suggest you take care of the one who’s still alive. If even a single strand of his hair goes missing, I will have you and your men killed right away.” I dropped the phone angrily as I started turning the car around. As I made my way back, my phone started ringing again. I glanced down and saw it was Drago. What could he possibly want to say now?
“What is it?”
“I’m honestly very sorry, your Highness. I didn’t know about it until I returned with the food, and I’ve definitely punished the one who did it.”
“Whatever. All I’m telling you is that nothing must happen to the other one. I’m being serious. I won’t spare you fools if everything I’ve worked for falls apart because of your incompetence. Understood?”
“Yes, your Highness.” I ended the call and focused on driving. I couldn’t quite place it, but the feeling in the pit of my stomach lingered, and it bothered me. I tried to push it from my mind as I continued on my way back, thinking of what to do next.
When I finally arrived in front of the mansion, I couldn’t muster the energy to drive in, so I just parked by the side, confusion running wild as I tried to figure out the best course of action.
While waiting, my phone buzzed once more. This time, it was a video message from Drago.
“What could he possibly want now?” I mumbled to myself as I opened the video.
To my shock, I saw not only Lucas and Simon with Drago but also the twins, laughing and playing around in the background.
“Isn’t there supposed to be one that’s dead? When was this?” I stuttered, watching the video with fear gripping my heart. Nothing in the video aligned with my plans, and that terrified me. Before I could process it further, a text message appeared beneath the video. I opened it immediately.
“Sorry, Your Highness, but I’m afraid you’ve been outplayed. I’ve got the boys, but they’re not going anywhere. Looks like you’ve fallen into a trap. You’ll never win this game.”
My heart dropped. Panic surged through me as I realized I had been double-crossed. Everything I had worked for, everything I had planned, was unraveling right before my eyes.
I slammed on the brakes again, even though the car wasn’t moving, as my breathing became shallow. How could this have happened? How had they outsmarted me?
My hands shook as I gripped the steering wheel. I had to think fast. If I didn’t act now, it would all be over. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind went blank. They had me cornered.
The real question now was, how had Lucas and Simon found out about the kidnapping? Early enough to stop it before it even happened?
I didn’t have time to think it through when my phone rang again. My heart sank as I saw it was Simon.
“Oh wow, why don’t you want to come inside, Veronica? Don’t you want to say hello to both your husbands?” he began, and I felt my heart rate spike as realization hit me.
“Well, either way, don’t think for a second you’ll escape punishment for your evil deeds. Your game is over, Veronica.” He hung up before I could respond.
I stayed in the car, worry consuming me, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do.
—
**Lucas’ POV**
The previous night…
The night was eerily quiet. The air in the mansion felt heavy, as if the walls themselves were bracing for what was to come. I couldn’t sleep, knowing that soon everything would change. Simon and I had laid out the final details of the trap for Veronica, but now it was a waiting game. We needed to time everything perfectly.
Just after midnight, Simon came into my room, his expression as serious as ever.
“It’s time,” he said simply. I nodded, feeling the weight of the moment.
The mood had shifted. As we spent time finalizing our plan, we received word that Veronica had sent someone after the boys. Simon and I exchanged a glance, knowing this was the moment we had been waiting for.
“She took the bait,” Simon said, satisfaction in his voice.
“Perfect,” I replied, a cold smile forming on my lips. “Now it’s time to spring the trap.”
We moved swiftly, alerting the guards and positioning our men. Everything was designed to make her think things were going smoothly, when, in reality, she was walking straight into our trap.
The next morning, as planned, Drago did exactly what we had instructed, and as expected, it struck fear into her. Little did she know, the boys were never in any real danger. We had anticipated her every move, and now she was about to walk right into our hands.
We headed to the study, where we had a direct view of the mansion grounds. Everything appeared peaceful from the outside, but we knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long.
“She’ll be here soon,” Simon said, his voice low. “Our men are ready.”
I looked at him, feeling a mix of gratitude and determination. We had come this far together, and now we were on the brink of victory. Veronica wouldn’t know what hit her.
Veronica’s car eventually pulled up just outside the gates. She didn’t even bother to get out. From the window, I could see her sitting behind the wheel, defeated.
“Checkmate,” Simon said, his voice cold and final.
I nodded in agreement. It was over. Veronica had no cards left to play.
Not long after, I heard her engine rev to life, and I looked out to see what was going on. She had been quietly seated there for a while.
“Now what is she doing?” I muttered to myself, dialing the head of security.
“I need you to go after Veronica. She’s about to make a run for it.”
“Noted, your Majesty,” he responded, and I ended the call, relaxing back in my chair. Once they brought her in, Veronica would be sentenced to life imprisonment, stripped of everything she had, and punished for all her crimes.
About ten minutes later, I received a call from the security head.
“So, where was she headed?” I asked as soon as I answered.
“She was spotted heading toward the old docks. It seems she’s trying to leave the country.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“We’re waiting for your instructions, your Majesty. If we don’t move fast, we might lose her.”
“Well, I-” I paused as the door creaked open.
“Apprehend her and bring her back to the mansion. And make sure she’s unharmed.”
“Understood, your Majesty,” he said, and I disconnected the call.
Ashley entered the room, concern on her face. “Is everything going well?” she asked.
“It’s Veronica. She’s trying to run. We’re going to stop her.”
Her eyes widened, but she nodded. “Be careful, Lucas.”
“I will. This ends tonight,” I said, kissing her forehead before leaving the room, my heart pounding in anticipation. Veronica had pushed us all to the edge, but now it was time for her to face the consequences.
We were going to bring her down, once and for all.
**Veronica’s POV**
I sat there in my car, hands still trembling from the call with Simon. My mind raced, searching for a way out, but it felt as though every option had been snatched from me. I glanced at the disappearing figure of the mansion through the rearview mirror as I continued driving away. This was the place I thought I had control over – the place where all my plans would come to fruition. Now, it stood as a monument to my failure.
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, heart pounding in my chest. I had been outplayed. Simon and Lucas had laid a trap, and I had fallen for it. But even in the face of this betrayal, I couldn’t just give up. Not yet. There had to be a way to turn this around. I just needed time to think.
My phone buzzed again, but this time I ignored it. I couldn’t afford another conversation right now, not with them, not with anyone. Instead, I started the engine, glancing around nervously. There was one place I could go – one place that no one would expect. The old docks were a decoy, just something to make them think I was trying to flee. But my real destination lay elsewhere, a safe house I had prepared for emergencies just like this.
I pulled out onto the road, driving calmly at first, trying to blend in. As I left the vicinity of the mansion, I pressed down harder on the gas, heading toward the outskirts of town. I could feel the tension in my shoulders, my body wired with fear and frustration. I hadn’t come this far to lose everything now.
But as I turned onto a narrow road leading toward the countryside, a pair of headlights flashed in my rearview mirror. My heart leapt into my throat. They had found me.
I sped up, heart hammering in my chest, but the car behind me matched my pace, getting closer with every second. I swerved around corners, trying to lose them, but it was no use. Whoever was chasing me had every intention of catching up.
I had one last chance. There was a small forest ahead, a place where the trees grew dense and the roads twisted unpredictably. If I could make it there, I could hide, buy myself some time.
I pushed the car to its limits, the engine roaring as I neared the forest. But just as I reached the entrance to the narrow dirt path, the car behind me cut in front, forcing me to swerve violently to avoid a collision. My car skidded off the road, crashing through a bush before coming to a sudden stop against a tree.
For a moment, everything was still. The sound of my rapid breathing was the only thing I could hear. My hands shook as I unclenched them from the steering wheel. I glanced in the rearview mirror again, but this time I saw no sign of the car. I couldn’t have lost them, could I?
Before I could process what was happening, the door to my car was yanked open. Strong hands pulled me out, and I fought, kicking and screaming, but it was no use. Two men, dressed in black, held me in place.
“Enough!” one of them barked, his grip tightening painfully around my arm. “You’re coming with us.”