The dim light of Max’s computer screen was the only source of light in the room, casting sharp shadows over his face as he stared at the footage playing in front of him. His hands were clenched into fists, his jaw locked so tightly it ached.
The moment Emma had gone missing, he had known something wasn’t right. And now, he had proof.
On the screen, the tiny, barely noticeable footage from Vivian’s earrings played. It was a risk he had taken, secretly placing a micro CCTV camera on them before leaving. He hadn’t told her-not because he didn’t trust her, but because he didn’t trust the world around her.
And now, that paranoia had paid off.
A grainy, shadowy figure moved into the hotel room. The timestamp showed it was mere minutes before Vivian woke up and found Emma gone. The man was fast, calculated-he knew exactly where to go.
Then, for a split second, his face was caught in the reflection of a mirror.
Max froze the footage and zoomed in. His blood ran cold.
Damian Cross.
A ghost from the underground world. A mercenary who had been off the grid for years. A man with no ties, no connections-unless someone powerful had pulled him back into the game.
And Max already knew who.
With one more click, he ran a trace on Damian’s recent financial transactions. His offshore account had been dormant for years-until a sudden influx of money was deposited two weeks ago.
Max’s stomach twisted as the name of the sender popped up on the screen.
Ruth Conells.
A storm of rage swirled in his chest, violent and deadly.
That conniving, venomous woman had dared to take his daughter.
She hadn’t learned her lesson.
A sharp knock on the door jerked Max from his thoughts. He exhaled, pushing away from the desk as Ray stepped in.
“Boss.” Ray’s tone was urgent. “Did you find anything?”
Max’s eyes were lethal as he turned the screen toward him. “Damian Cross. That’s the kidnapper.”
Ray’s eyes widened as he stepped closer, watching the footage. “Son of a bitch.”
Max’s voice was calm-too calm. “And Ruth sent him.”
Ray’s expression darkened. “I’ll put the word out. We’ll find him, Boss.”
Max stood, rolling his shoulders as though preparing for war. “No.” His voice was steel. “I will find him. And I will end this myself.”
___
Vivian paced the living room, her heart pounding against her ribs.
She had tried to breathe, tried to stay calm, but nothing worked. The fear gripping her chest was suffocating.
Emma had been out there. Somewhere. With a man she didn’t know, in a place she couldn’t find.
She clenched her fists, swallowing down the terror.
Max had ordered her to stay put, but how could she? When she didn’t know if they would come again.
The sound of approaching footsteps made her spin around.
Max stood at the entrance of the room, his expression carved from stone.
Vivian rushed toward him. “Did you find anything?”
His gaze met hers, dark and full of barely contained rage. “I know who took her.”
Her breath hitched. “Who?”
Max hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. “Damian Cross. A hired mercenary.”
Vivian’s stomach twisted. “Who would-” Her voice cut off as realization dawned. “No…”
Max exhaled, his jaw tightening. “It was Ruth.”
A shiver ran down Vivian’s spine. She should have known. Ruth had always been capable of cruelty, but this? This was monstrous.
She shook her head. “We need to go to the police-”
“No.” Max’s voice was sharp. “We’re not involving them.”
Vivian’s eyes widened. “Max, this is our daughter-”
“And I will handle it,” he cut in, his voice dangerously low.
Vivian swallowed hard, recognizing the lethal promise in his tone.
Max would stop at nothing to get Emma back.
___
Max’s car tore through the city streets like a predator hunting its prey.
Ray sat in the passenger seat, speaking rapidly into his phone. “We’ve tracked Damian’s last known movements. He was spotted near an abandoned storey-building on the outskirts of town.”
Max’s grip on the wheel tightened. “That’s where we start.”
Ray hung up and looked at him. “Boss… when we find him-”
Max’s eyes burned with fury. “I’m going to make him wish he was never born.”
The building loomed in the distance and Max parked the car, stepping out without hesitation.
Ray followed, gun in hand. “You sure you don’t want backup?”
Max didn’t answer. He was already moving, his steps calculated, his rage cold and precise.
The moment he stepped inside, the scent of damp wood and rust filled his senses.
Then-
A muffled cry. His blood ignited.
He moved swiftly, following the sound until he reached a door. He kicked it open, his gun aimed-
Damian Cross stood inside, a knife in one hand, the other gripping a little girl’s tiny wrist.
The sight sent a raw, animalistic fury through Max’s veins.
“Let. Her. Go.” His voice was death itself.
Damian smirked. “Didn’t expect you so soon, Max Norman, I knew you would come for me as soon as you rescued your and as you can see I’m prepared with another and no matter how deadly you can be, I know you wouldn’t hurt a little child”
Max’s finger twitched over the trigger. “I won’t repeat myself.”
Damian’s grip tightened on the little girl he was using as a leverage. “You shoot, I slit her throat.”
The little girl whimpered, tears streaking her little face. “Please…” her voice reminded Max of Emma, his heart clenched, but his expression remained unreadable.
He needed to be smart. One wrong move, and she could get hurt.
“Ruth sent you?” Max asked, his tone even.
Damian chuckled. “She pays well.”
“Then she overestimated your skills,” Max said coldly. “Because you’re not getting out of here alive.”
Damian’s smirk faltered.
Then-
A single gunshot rang out.
Ray had moved like a shadow, shooting Damian in the arm before he could react.
The knife clattered to the ground as Damian let out a sharp cry.
Max didn’t hesitate. He surged forward, his fist colliding with Damian’s jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor.
He didn’t stop there. He rained blow after blow, his vision red with fury.
“You took my daughter.” Punch! “You thought you could use her against me.” Punch! “You’re nothing but a coward and you dare to use another little innocent girl for to gaslight me.” Punch! Punch. Punch!
Damian’s face was a bloody mess by the time Max finally pulled away, breathing heavily.
Ray grabbed the half-conscious man by the collar. “What do we do with him?”
Max exhaled sharply, his gaze flickering to the girl. She was still trembling, her tiny arms wrapped around herself.
His entire body softened.
He knelt beside her. “Hey, sweetheart…”
Her tear-filled eyes met his, and in the next second, she threw herself into his arms. “Thank you Mr!”
Max held her tightly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’ve got you, baby. You’re safe.”
She sniffled against his chest. “He was mean…”
Max’s grip tightened protectively around her. “No one will ever hurt you again.”
Ray cleared his throat. “Boss… what about him?”
Max turned, his expression darkening as he looked at Damian. “Take him. I want every detail on Ruth’s plans before I decide how to end him.”
Ray nodded, dragging Damian out of the room.
Max turned back to the little girl, his heart still hammering.
He lifted her into his arms. “Let’s go find your parents”
She sniffled but nodded, resting her head against his shoulder.
Max held her close as he walked out of the warehouse, knowing one thing for certain-Ruth had declared war.
And he was going to make sure she regretted it.