The Secret Billionaire

Chapter 16

ERIS

Come alone. I re-read the message over and over again.
"Let's get you strapped up before we leave. We have the paperwork done already,"
They had printed fake documents stating I would leave him alone if he left town. Detective Henderson pulled me aside and began to put a vest on me.
"You don't think he will see this?" I asked as he tightened the vest.
"Thankfully, not with the coat."
Good thing it's cold outside.
"This will let us hear the conversation between the both of you," He explained as he wrapped a wire around me. Nathan's eyes were fixed on Henderson's hands. "Just call for us if you need anything,"
"Now, we don't know how long this will take or how dark it will be. You will need to take extra precautions," He explained, and I nodded. "Everything is set. Are you ready to go?" He asked, and I nodded.
"I'll take you. I'll drop you off as close as possible," Nathan said as he walked up to us.
"We'll see you there," Was the last thing I heard Detective Henderson say before Nathan pulled me away.
There was a car in front waiting for us already. We drove away from the station, and Nathan grabbed my hand.
"After this, we will be lying on the couch watching movies in the living room," I said to him. "It'll be over before we know it,"
He didn't say anything, only squeezed my hand. He pulled up to a warehouse and turned off his headlights. He parked the car and looked at me.
"Please, don't do anything that will get you hurt. I'll meet up with Henderson right now,"
He grabbed my face and brought me in for a kiss.
"I'll see you right now, okay?" I said as soon as I pulled away.
I stepped out of the car and closed the door. I grabbed my phone and texted Darius that I was there. I walked inside and waited for his reply. It was colder in here. I tried looking around to see if I would see anyone, but it was dark.
"It's nice to see you again,"
"Darius?" I called out.
He turned on a light, and I could see him and Stacy. She was sitting on the floor with tape on her mouth and her arms and legs tied up.
"You look cozy. Come over here," He said.
"I brought you the paperwork. It clearly states, if you leave, I'll drop the charges, and the police won't go looking for you in exchange for Stacy."
She looked terrified but relieved to see me here.
"Run away with me, baby. Let's leave everyone behind," He stepped toward me, and I shook my head.
"You hurt me," My voice cracked. "You hurt my friend. You cheated on me. You don't love me,"
"I do love you!" I winced at his words, and he laughed. "Eris, we aren't perfect, but nobody is. Let's talk about our problems. We can fix this," He stepped closer, and I stepped back. "Remember how good I made you feel in bed? Don't you miss that?"
"Let Stacy go," I demanded.
"Why are you so stubborn?!"
Stacy didn't have a coat. I can see her physically shaking. Even with a coat, I was shivering.
"If I go with you, will you let her go? We can drop her off somewhere safe," I said and moved closer to him. He looked taken aback by my answer and smiled.
"Of course, baby. Let's go," He extended his arm so I could take it. I looked back at Stacy, and she was shaking her head.
"You have to promise me one other thing," He rolled his eyes but agreed. "That you'll love me forever. Don't hurt me again," I made my way closer to him. "I never stopped loving you and want to trust you again. We can get married just like you promised. I want that again."
"I won't hurt you. Come on," I hugged him, and he wrapped his arms around me. He reeked of alcohol.
"Before we leave, come here. Let me tell you something," I grabbed his face and leaned over to his ear.
"I hope you rot in jail, you sick son of a bitch," I kicked him in his groin, and he bent over in pain. I ran over to Stacy and removed the tape from her mouth.
"He's down. Get in here now!" I yelled, hoping the cops heard me. I pulled my coat off, revealing my vest, and put it on Stacy.
"Can you get up?" I asked, and she nodded. As soon as I helped her up, someone knocked us down.
"I knew you were a lying bitch!" Darius had me pinned down. Stacy landed on the floor face-first, crying out for help.
"Get off of me!" I tried to push him off, but he wouldn't let me go.
"No, we are leaving," He picked me up and stood behind me. I felt a cold, sharp item pressed against my neck and the cops busted through the doors. Nathan was the first I spotted, also with a vest, and he looked at me.
"You let her go right now!" Nathan yelled. He was held back by an officer.
Darius pulled me away, and someone went for Stacy.
"No! She's crazy! She came into my life and ruined it! She has to pay for what she has done. You should be thanking me for taking out the trash for you!"
I felt the tears build up in my eyes. The officers surrounded us and held their guns up. I saw Stacy being pulled away, and I closed my eyes for a few seconds before opening them up again. At least she is saved.
"I'm going to walk away now with her, and you will let me go. You will listen to me if you don't want her to die," He pulled us farther away, and I began to panic.
The next few moments felt as if they happened in slow motion. A loud bang echoed through the warehouse, and I felt a stinging sensation on my shoulder. Darius groaned in pain and loosened up his hold on me. I lost my balance, and Nathan ran my way. My ears were ringing, and he caught me before I could hit the ground.
"Can you hear me?! Eris?!" His voice sounded so distant.
I turned my head and saw Darius lying on the floor. Cops were rushing to him, and I turned my attention back to Nathan. His lips were moving, but I couldn't hear his voice. He was the last thing I saw before it all faded away.