Eighteen-year-old Ivy Silver's life took a dark turn when the glittering facade of a famous strip club concealed a future she never envisioned. Trapped, she desperately sought freedom, only to fall into the clutches of Hermann Rodriguez, an arrogan...
"Don't miss the target," I barked at the new recruits, my own weapon trained on the bullseye.
Miguel approached, Norman flanking him. Norman's gaze, unwavering and intense, sent a chill down my spine. This whole situation was a festering wound.
"Listen to him," Miguel urged, his voice tight with apprehension. He knew exactly what my reaction would be.
"Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?" I roared, fury erupting like a wildfire. "I'm your fucking leader!" The words were barely out before I regretted the raw intensity, the barely contained violence.
"It's about Ivy," Miguel blurted out, the urgency in his voice cutting through my rage.
I froze, the name a sharp stab of longing.
"I've found Morgan Silver," Norman confirmed, his voice low and steady.
A sigh escaped my lips, a release of pent-up tension. "Take me to her," I commanded, my voice surprisingly calm.
Ivy. She was the reason for all of this, the relentless engine driving my actions. Her stubborn spirit, her defiance – she was unlike any other woman I'd encountered. This… feeling… it was new, terrifying, and exhilarating all at once. It made me vulnerable, anxious, consumed by worry. It was driving me insane. And the maddening thing was, I didn't want it to stop.
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The drive to the cabin was two hours of simmering anticipation. I stepped out of the car, scanning the desolate landscape before Norman's voice cut through the silence. "This way."
The cabin was eerily quiet. "Wait here. I'll get her," Norman said, disappearing inside.
Miguel spoke, his voice a low murmur. "He found her on your orders."
"Shut the fuck up," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. His betrayal, his family's betrayal, still stung.
I paced, restless, examining the cabin's stark interior. Then, footsteps. I turned to see a woman, late thirties, standing beside Norman. Her lips were dry, her eyes weary, but there was a strength in her gaze, a resilience that echoed Ivy's own spirit. Her eyes… they reminded me of Ivy.
Miguel offered water, his voice hesitant.
"Ivy," the woman said, her voice raspy, her eyes locked on mine.
"Mrs. Silver, please come with us. We'll discuss your daughter," I said, trying to project an air of authority I didn't entirely feel.
"And how can I trust you have her?" she challenged, her skepticism sharp.
Now I know where Ivy gets her stubbornness, I thought.
"Honestly, ma'am, I can't say I have her right now," I admitted, bracing myself for her reaction. The look she gave me was one of intense scrutiny.
"Look," I pressed on, my voice raw with a desperation I couldn't conceal. "I know where she is, and I promise I'll do everything in my power to get her back." The emptiness inside me was a vast, echoing void.
"So tell me, Mr…?"
"Hermann Rodriguez. Hermann," I said, trying for a friendly tone.
"Hermann," she repeated, her gaze unwavering. "After all this, why should I trust you?"
The question hung in the air, a heavy weight. Why would she trust me? I was the one who'd messed everything up with her daughter. I'd had Ivy, and I'd lost her.
I took a deep breath, closing the distance between us. "Because I love her," I said, the words simple, sincere, and utterly unexpected, even to myself. It was as if releasing that truth had cleared the fog from my mind, leaving only Ivy in its wake. I knew, with a certainty that shook me to my core, that she was my everything. ______________________________________________ MORGAN SILVER POV. (One Day Earlier)
[Nightmare]
The sound of a child's cries ripped through my sleep. Ivy's terrified whimpers… "Mom, please don't let them take me! Mommy, please!" "Let her go! Don't touch her, you bastards!" My own desperate pleas, my helpless rage…
"Please…take me instead…"
[Awake]
I woke up drenched in sweat, tears streaming down my face. Another nightmare. I swung my legs to the floor, stepping over discarded snack wrappers. The sky was clear, no rain in sight, no hope of water. My heart ached, my throat parched. I had a few drops left, but it was Tuesday, dishwashing day at the restaurant. That would have to hold me until Friday.
A knock. Unusual. Maybe it was about the rent. "Who is it?" I muttered, cautiously opening the door. A man stood there, a stranger.
"Am I speaking with Mrs. Silver?" he asked. My blood ran cold. This couldn't be happening again.
"No," I said.
"Do you know anyone by that name?"
"No," I repeated, my voice trembling.
"I'm sorry to disturb you," he said, turning to leave. Then, his words hit me like a physical blow. "I'm afraid I must inform Miss Silver… the search for her mother has been unsuccessful. I fear she's gone."
Miss Silver? My Ivy! Every nerve in my body screamed.
"Excuse me, sir!" I rushed out, and he turned. "I… I am Morgan Silver," I stammered, the name a painful reminder of a life I'd lost.
"I know," he said, a practiced ease in his tone. My mind raced.
I pulled my gun, pointing it at his head.
"No need for that," he said, raising his hands. "I mean you no harm."
"You tricked me," I accused, my finger tightening on the trigger.
"And you reacted like a mother who cares," he observed calmly.
"Don't play games with me," I snarled. "I will kill you."
"I'm Norman," he said. "I know your daughter. I was sent to find you, for her."
"This doesn't make sense," I said, my suspicion unwavering.
"I work for someone who can help you see Ivy again. She's a remarkable girl. I've spent time with her."
"Who do you work for?"
"Hermann Rodriguez."
"What is he doing with my daughter?" My grip on the gun tightened.
"He's helped her. He cares for her," Norman said, his eyes meeting mine. I sensed no deception.
"Can I trust you?" he asked.
"If you try anything… I'll go to hell with your balls," I said, deadly serious.
"I'll take that as a yes!"
On the plane, I saw the clouds up close for the first time in years. Ivy used to love them. Edward would smile…
I glanced at Norman, who was engrossed in his tablet. He seemed honest enough, but I wouldn't take any chances. He offered me food and drink, but I refused. I had to stay focused.
"How is she?" I asked softly.
"Beautiful… strong, wild, and stubborn, just like her mother," he grinned.
I smiled faintly, gazing out the window, lost in memories.
"Can you confirm… is your son… really dead?" he asked quietly.
I swallowed, closing my eyes, the memory of that night flooding back. Jorome's terrified whimpers, the blood…
"Yes," I whispered, tears silently tracing paths down my cheeks. I would never forget losing him.
I didn't wake until we landed. Norman pointed to a black car. "Our ride."
It was late when we reached the cabin. "We'll stay tonight. Everything will be settled tomorrow," he said.
I refused everything he offered, my mind fixed on tomorrow. I wanted to fast-forward time, but patience was necessary. He showed me to my room, and I didn't leave until morning.
He was gone when I woke. Panic seized me. I found my gun, searching every room, even noticing the car was gone. Then, I saw a note on the fridge:
I'll be back soon with my boss. Don't worry, you can trust me. I value my balls, so I won't piss you off. Help yourself to anything you want. See you soon.
I sighed.
An hour later, cars pulled up. Guards, two tall men, and Norman. I'd never seen the two men before, and I kept my hand on my gun.
"This way," Norman said. The "boss" was among them.
I heard footsteps approaching the door. I quickly sat on the bed, my gun hidden under my shirt. Norman opened the door. "He's here."
I frowned, then stood, straightening my shirt. "Trust me, you don't need that," Norman said.
"Trust is hard to come by," I replied, walking out.
Hermann's eyes met mine. Someone offered water, but I couldn't be distracted. All I could think about was Ivy. The thought of her gave me a purpose. If these were the right people, I would be eternally grateful. If not… I would kill them.
"So tell me, Hermann," I said, my voice steady. "After all this… why should I trust you?"
"Because I love her," he said.
I looked at him. He wasn't the man I'd envisioned for Ivy. But it wasn't his words, but the depth in his eyes that convinced me.
"Then," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "I trust you."
Thanks for reading this chapter my darling readers 💕. Your support is my strength 💪🏾. NB: Ignore any grammatical mistakes 😁.
