Reyna’s POV
I woke up to the soft glow of the bedside lamp, my head still throbbing but lighter than before. The scent of fresh linen and antiseptic filled my nose, and as my vision cleared, I saw Sarah sitting beside me.
“You’re awake,” she breathed out, her voice laced with relief.
I blinked a few times, my body still sluggish. “Where…where am I?”
“A safe house,” she answered, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “You’ve been unconscious for two days. We were so worried.”
Two days? My mind struggled to catch up. The last thing I remembered was pain, Damon, Diane, and chaos. I swallowed, my throat dry.
“Stephanie?” I croaked.
Before Sarah could respond, the door swung open, and there she was.
“You’re finally awake.” Stephanie strode into the room with her usual confidence, but her eyes softened as she looked at me.
“Steph,” I whispered.
She crossed the room in seconds and wrapped her arms around me. Her embrace was strong, grounding me in the present. For the first time in days, I felt safe.
“We thought we lost you,” she murmured against my hair.
I pulled back slightly, taking in her face. “You found me. You always do.”
She smirked. “Of course I did.”
Relief settled in my chest, but questions quickly replaced it. “Where are Jake and John?”
Stephanie and Sarah exchanged a glance.
“They’re dealing with some unfinished business,” Stephanie finally said.
I narrowed my eyes. “What kind of business?”
Stephanie sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Marcus showed up looking for Sarah. They stayed behind to handle it.”
I tensed. “Marcus? He found us?”
Sarah clenched her jaw. “It doesn’t matter. He won’t get what he wants.”
My stomach twisted, but I trusted them. If Jake and John were handling it, I had to believe we were safe-for now.
Stephanie sat on the edge of the bed. “There’s something else you should know.”
I met her gaze.
“Diane is in our custody,” she said. “She lost a lot of blood, but we kept her alive.”
Hearing her name sent a surge of anger through me. I would never forget what she did-what she allowed to happen. “Where is she now?”
“In a holding cell,” Stephanie said, her voice cold. “She’ll be facing trial soon.”
I exhaled, the tension in my chest easing slightly. At least she wasn’t free. At least she would face the consequences of her actions.
“Good,” I muttered.
Stephanie studied my face. “How do you feel?”
I leaned back against the pillows, exhaustion still weighing me down, but a small sense of peace creeping in. “Like I just survived hell.”
Sarah let out a short laugh. “You did.”
A wave of emotion crashed over me, and I struggled to put it into words. “I never lost hope,” I admitted. “I knew you’d come for me.”
Stephanie’s expression softened. “Of course we did. You’re family, Reyna. We don’t leave family behind.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”
Silence settled between us, but it was a comfortable one. The kind that only came with knowing you were truly safe.
Sarah stretched, stifling a yawn. “I think I need to crash for a few hours.”
“Go rest,” Stephanie told her. “I’ll stay with Reyna.”
Sarah gave me one last reassuring smile before slipping out of the room.
Stephanie leaned back in the chair beside my bed, arms crossed. “Try to get some sleep. You need it.”
I closed my eyes, her presence comforting. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to rest.
I was safe. I was home.
And this fight wasn’t over yet.
___
Jake’s POV
We arrived at Marcus’ estate under the cover of night. The place reeked of deception, from the towering iron gates to the shadowy figures lurking in the corners. John and I stepped inside, flanked by Marcus’ men, and I fought the urge to draw my weapon.
Marcus sat comfortably in his leather chair, swirling a glass of whiskey. He smirked as we approached. “Ah, gentlemen. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.”
I crossed my arms. “Cut the crap, Marcus. What do you want?”
He leaned forward, setting his drink down. “Sarah and Stephanie.”
My fists clenched. “Not happening.”
Marcus chuckled, his gaze sharp. “You misunderstand, Jake. I wasn’t asking. I was demanding.”
Beside me, John remained silent, his stance neutral but ready. I took a step forward, my temper rising.
“You don’t get to make demands,” I growled.
Marcus raised a brow. “Don’t I?” He leaned back with an infuriating smirk. “You see, Jacob is still looking for Reyna. He’s relentless, and we both know what that means.”
John’s hand landed on my shoulder just as I lunged. “Don’t,” he warned.
I gritted my teeth, every fiber of my being screaming to tear Marcus apart.
Marcus laughed, amused. “Listen to your friend, Jake. You’re in my house, my territory. You don’t want to make a mess here.”
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to stay still. “What’s your endgame?”
Marcus swirled his drink again. “Leverage. Sarah and Stephanie are valuable to me. You want Reyna safe? I want my assets secured.”
John finally spoke, his tone even. “We can strike a deal.”
Marcus tilted his head. “I’m listening.”
“You want Sarah first?” John asked.
Marcus nodded.
John continued, his voice cold and calculated. “Then find Damon’s hideout for us. Bring us his location, and you get Sarah.”
I shot John a sharp look, but he ignored me.
Marcus leaned back, considering. “And Stephanie?”
“You’ll get her once the job is done,” John said smoothly.
Silence filled the room.
Then Marcus smirked. “Clever.” He looked at me. “And what about you, Jake? Do you agree?”
I glared at him. “I don’t trust you.”
Marcus spread his hands. “I don’t need your trust, just your cooperation.”
Tension crackled in the air. Then he stood, extending his hand toward John.
“Deal?”
John didn’t hesitate. He shook Marcus’ hand firmly.
I clenched my jaw as Marcus turned back to me. “Don’t look so sour, Jake. This is a win-win.”
I wasn’t convinced. But for now, we had no other choice.
Without another word, John and I turned to leave.
As we stepped out into the cool night air, I muttered, “This better not backfire.”
John sighed. “It won’t. But if it does…”
I smirked. “We kill him first.”
John chuckled. “Exactly.”
The deal was set. Now, we just had to wait and see who made the first move.