It’s Him!
Standing in front of the car wasn’t just anyone-it was Kayden. The man Dennis hated with every fiber of his being.
Kayden’s look was as unassuming as ever: plain clothes, calm demeanor, and a piercing gaze that locked onto Dennis like a predator sizing up its prey. He stood there, completely unmoving, like a stone pillar planted in the path of a storm.
Dennis’s blood boiled. He’d been agonizing over how to track this guy down, and now here he was, walking right into his hands. The old saying came to mind: What you chase after endlessly will eventually come to you.
Grinding his teeth, Dennis barked at his driver, “Grab the weapons. We’re ending this now.”
Without waiting, Dennis reached down and snatched up a hammer from under the seat while the driver yanked a machete from the glove compartment.
Dennis wasn’t your typical street thug-he was a businessman. But in his world, enemies were a given. So keeping weapons in the car wasn’t paranoia; it was just common sense.
Stephanie’s sharp gasp broke the tension. Her face went pale as she flung open the car door and yelled, “Kayden! What are you doing? Get out of here!”
Kayden’s eyes flicked to her, his expression softening, only to harden again as he noticed the red slap mark on her cheek. His jaw tightened.
“Did he hit you again?” he asked, his voice low but heavy with restrained anger.
Stephanie frantically shook her head. “Kayden, please, just leave!”
Ignoring her plea, she ran to him, her eyes desperate and filled with panic. She grabbed his arm, trying to pull him away.
The closer Kayden got, the more clearly he could see the mark on her face. It wasn’t old. Fresh rage ignited in his chest. His fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white.
Dennis sneered from behind the car. “You’ve got some nerve, showing up like this,” he said, his voice dripping with venom. “I was just thinking about hunting you down, and here you are, gift-wrapped for me.”
“Kayden, please!” Stephanie begged, tugging harder on his arm. Her voice cracked as she tried to pull him away.
But Kayden didn’t move. Instead, he grabbed her hand gently, his voice steady and reassuring. “It’s fine. This kind of trash doesn’t scare me.”
His words hit Dennis like a slap. His face flushed with rage, and he stalked forward. “Trash? You’ve got a big mouth for someone messing with my woman! Do you even understand what you’ve gotten yourself into?”
Kayden’s gaze didn’t waver. “Is that how you see her? What kind of man hits his woman and then calls her his?”
That was it. Dennis’s smirk vanished, replaced with a twisted scowl. The air between them grew thick with tension.
Dennis snapped back, “You think you’re clever, huh? Tell me, are you the boy toy my wife brought home?”
The question oozed disdain, designed to humiliate both Kayden and Stephanie. Dennis’s eyes darted between them, his lip curling with disgust.
Kayden turned to Stephanie, his eyes softening for a moment before he refocused on Dennis. His voice was calm, controlled, and cutting. “Yes. I am. But let me tell you something-you’re not good enough for her anymore. A man like you doesn’t deserve to call yourself a man.”
For a moment, Dennis froze. His face turned several shades of red as Kayden’s words sank in.
Was he implying Stephanie had shared his… shortcomings?
Dennis’s hands trembled with rage. “You witch!” he spat, his voice cracking. “You’ll pay for this, both of you!”
Kayden didn’t flinch. He’d already seen enough. This man didn’t deserve another word.
“You’ve lost your right to speak,” Kayden said coldly. “Not only am I taking her from you, but I’m going to show you what a real man looks like.”
Dennis’s bravado cracked. He turned to his driver and screamed, “Kill him! Do it now!”
The driver charged forward, machete raised high.
But Kayden moved faster. In one fluid motion, he stepped forward, his fist connecting with the driver’s chest in a thunderous blow. The sound of impact echoed as the man’s body flew backward, slamming into the hood of the car.
The Mercedes groaned under the force, its front bumper shattering into pieces.
Dennis froze, his bravado draining away as fear gripped him. He’d assumed his driver-a man twice Kayden’s size-would make quick work of him. But now, faced with what Kayden could do, Dennis’s confidence crumbled.
It all made sense now. Stephanie hadn’t fallen for Kayden because of his looks or charm. She’d fallen because of this. This quiet, terrifying strength.
Kayden took a step forward. Dennis instinctively took one back.
Each step Kayden took seemed heavier, more deliberate, until he was standing right in front of Dennis.
Before Dennis could react, Kayden grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward. The movement was swift, precise, and left Dennis completely off balance.
Dennis’s voice wavered, but he forced himself to snarl, “Do you even know who I am? If you touch me, you’re dead! Do you hear me? DEAD!”
It was a last-ditch effort to cling to his pride. Even now, he refused to bow.
Kayden tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk pulling at his lips. “You want to see what you’re capable of? Fine. I’ll give you a chance.”
Without warning, he shoved Dennis backward.
Dennis stumbled, barely managing to stay on his feet. He pointed a trembling finger at Kayden, his voice shrill. “You’ll regret this! Mark my words!”
Then, like a dog with its tail between its legs, he turned and bolted. His steps were clumsy, his retreat anything but dignified.
Stephanie watched him go, her chest tightening with a mix of relief and disbelief. Slowly, she turned to Kayden.
“Why did you let him go?” she asked softly.
Kayden looked at her, his expression calm, almost indifferent. “Because he’s already beaten. People like him aren’t worth the effort.”
Stephanie stared at him for a moment, her heart heavy.
Kayden’s voice softened as he added, “Don’t worry. He won’t bother you again. He’s nothing.”
And for the first time that night, Stephanie believed him.