SEBASTIAN’S POV
I stood perfectly still, watching the man in front of me as he raised the gun, his trembling hands giving away his lack of experience.
I felt no fear. I didn’t flinch. Roland was somewhere in the shadows, just as I had expected him to be. My trust in him wasn’t misplaced. He’d never failed me before, and this time was no exception.
The instant the man pulled the trigger, a sharp, metallic sound echoed through the room, but the bullet didn’t find its mark.
Roland had struck, redirecting the shot just in time. It missed me by a wide margin, embedding itself harmlessly into the wall behind me.
The man barely had time to register what had happened before I stepped forward, my hand steady as I raised my gun.
His eyes widened as he realised his mistake, but it was too late for regrets. I pulled the trigger, aiming deliberately for his kneecap. The shot was precise.
The man let out a guttural scream as he collapsed, clutching his shattered knee. He writhed on the floor, his pain-filled cries reverberating through the room. I didn’t blink. I didn’t hesitate. This was the price he had to pay.
“Sebastian, upstairs!” Roland’s voice was sharp, cutting through the chaos.
I nodded, stepping over the man without sparing him another glance. Roland could handle him for now. My focus was on getting answers.
The stairs creaked under my weight as I ascended, my mind racing. Whoever this man was, he’d made a grave mistake involving himself in my life, in my marriage. I wasn’t a man who forgave easily, and this? This was unforgivable.
I reached the top of the stairs, finding the room where Roland had dragged him earlier. He was slumped in a chair now, his face pale and glistening with sweat. The pain had drained the fight out of him, but I wasn’t here to pity him.
I stepped closer, the weight of my presence making the air feel heavier. He flinched when he saw me, his eyes darting toward Roland, who stood silently in the corner.
“Why?” My voice was low, controlled, but it carried the weight of my fury.
The man didn’t respond at first, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.
“Why did you send those photos? Who put you up to this?” I demanded, stepping closer.
His eyes flickered with fear, but he shook his head weakly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I laughed, a cold, humourless sound that made him flinch again. “You don’t know? So you’re saying you just decided to target my marriage out of the blue? That’s your story?”
“I swear,” he croaked. “I don’t know anything about your marriage.”
I pulled out my phone, opening the folder containing the damning photos. I shoved the screen in front of his face, forcing him to look. His reaction was immediate.
“I was just doing a job,” he stammered, his voice shaking. “I was hired, that’s all. I don’t know anything about you or your wife.”
“Who hired you?”
He hesitated, his eyes darting toward Roland as if seeking help. Roland remained motionless, his expression unreadable.
“I don’t know their name,” the man finally admitted. “It was through a middleman. I swear, I don’t know anything else.”
I crouched down, levelling my gaze with his. “You expect me to believe that? You send those photos to my wife, try to destroy my life, and you think I’ll let you walk out of here without telling me who’s behind this?”
“I’m telling the truth,” he insisted, his voice rising in desperation. “I don’t know! Please, I was just following orders!”
I reached into my pocket, pulling out a knife. The sight of it made his eyes widen in terror.
“You don’t understand,” I said, my voice dangerously calm. “I don’t tolerate threats to my family. You’ve crossed a line, and now you’re going to pay for it.”
I pressed the blade against his throat, just enough to make him feel its edge. He whimpered, his entire body trembling.
“Sebastian,” Roland’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
I didn’t look at him. My focus remained on the man in front of me.
“Sebastian,” Roland said again, stepping closer. “This isn’t the way.”
“He tried to destroy my marriage,” I snapped. “You think I’m going to let him get away with that?”
Roland placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but not forceful. “Sasha’s waiting for your call. She needs you more than this guy deserves your attention. Let me handle him.”
I hesitated, my grip on the knife tightening. The thought of Sasha brought a flicker of clarity to my mind.
She was waiting for me, probably worried out of her mind. I couldn’t let this consume me, not when she needed me.
I pulled back, handing the knife to Roland. “Do what you need to do,” I said. “But make sure he remembers this night for the rest of his miserable life.”
Roland nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes.
I turned and walked away, my mind already shifting back to Sasha. I needed to call her, to hear her voice. She was my anchor, the reason I fought so hard to protect what we had.
As I descended the stairs, the sound of the man’s cries faded into the background. Roland would take care of him. My priority was Sasha.
I stepped outside, the cool night air washing over me. Pulling out my phone, I dialled her number. It rang twice before she answered, her voice soft but laced with concern.
“Sebastian?”
“It’s me,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m coming home.”
I could hear the relief in her sigh, and it grounded me. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we’d face them together. And I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.