God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Chapter 25

Vaughn

     I stare at the phone in my hand, clutching it tightly. Alicia. My Alicia.

     I barely managed to get through it, the cuts on her chest. Her screams, oh, her screams. They're going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

     "Stop staring at your phone, Morozov." Eli snaps at me. After Alicia went missing a day ago, Aiden King immediately sent out a search party, using every connection he has. Including contacting all of Alicia's grandparents.

We haven't been able to figure out what happened and why but now, now I know.

     About a year ago, I helped dad out with a mission. Something or other about a traitor, anyway, the traitor had a son who was about my age; Dominik Andreyev.

     I was told to take care of him, and I did.

     I shot the bastard five times. How is he alive?

     And now, Alicia is being punished for my crimes. I slam my hand on the table. My Alicia, hold on, please.

      I throw the phone on the table in which all the Kings are surrounding. Closing my eyes as her screams vibrate in the air. It fills me with an inexplicable rage. When I get my hands on him, he's gonna wish he was never even fucking born.

      "What the fuck is this?!" Aiden slams his fist on the table, looking at me. There's anguish with the anger in his eyes.

      With a sigh, I explain my history with Dominik. Explain how it's my fault Alicia was taken.

      I'm met with a punch to the face, Aiden Kings' fist collides with my nose; blood falling down.

"Dad!" Creighton yells, pulling his father back.

"You. If you never came into Alicia's life, none of this would've happened! She would've been safe!" Aiden roars at me.

I wipe the blood off my nose and glare back at him. "What? You think I wanted this?! I want to protect her just as much as you do!"

"Lower your voice." Another voice, Alicia's grandfather; Ethan. His eyes steel me, hardened and angry. In that moment, he wasn't the grandpa Ethan that Alicia told me so much about. He was Ethan Steel, CEO and ruthless businessman. "Whether or not you wanted this doesn't change the fact that she was taken because of you." His husband, Agnus, places a hand on his shoulder to calm him.

Her other grandfather; Jonathon, one of the most cunning people I've had the displeasure of meeting, stands. "You failed." He says, eyeing me. "You say you want to protect her? You failed at that. So, you will start a new task."

"I'm going to save her." I affirm. The anger grows hot in my veins. Who the fuck are these people to remind me of what happened? I want- I need to save her.

There is no point to me without my Alicia.

"Listen, we all have a common goal. Save Alicia. I'm not Morozovs biggest fan but at the end of the day, you can't fully blame him." Eli says. "So, instead of punching each other. Let's be diplomatic and come up with a plan."

     I take a deep breath, the metallic taste of my own blood lingering in my mouth. I can't let anger cloud my judgment, even though rage simmers beneath the surface like a cauldron about to boil over. My Alicia needs me to be clear-headed, to think strategically. The reality of her abduction is crushing, but I refuse to buckle under the weight of guilt and blame—no matter how justified Aiden's fury may be.

     "Alright," I say, my voice low but firm. "What's the plan?"

     The room quiets, tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Everyone's eyes remain locked on me, as if waiting for me to offer some miraculous insight. But really, all I have is determination and a gnawing desperation to see Alicia safe again.

     Aiden steps forward, taking charge. "We need information first—who has Alicia and where they're keeping her. We can't just charge in without knowing what we're up against."

     "Dominik has connections," I mutter, the name a bitter pill to swallow. "He's not just some average criminal; he's got resources that could make our lives hell if we don't tread carefully."

     Aiden crosses his arms, the anger still simmering in his eyes. "Well, how do we get to him? He's clearly dangerous, we don't know what he's capable of."

     "I know exactly what he's capable of," I snap. "That's why we need intelligence on him—his movements, his allies, the places he frequents. We can't underestimate how far his reach goes."

     Jonathon nods, his expression finally softening with understanding. "I have contacts that might help, people who owe me favors. I can reach out discreetly to those who might have insights into Dominik's whereabouts and operations."

     "Good. I'll take care of the logistics," Eli volunteers. "We can set up a surveillance operation from different angles. We need to know who we're dealing with before making any rash decisions."

     Creighton, who's been quiet until now, speaks up, "And we should prepare for... contingencies. If things go sideways, we need to have a backup plan."

     "Rouge guards, exit strategies, potential fallback locations—let's discuss it all," I reply, trying to keep my tone steady. "We may not get another chance like this. The moment we tip Dominik off, we lose Alicia for good."

     Ethan clears his throat, the tension still palpable in the room. "I can have my men on standby. Heavy-duty security, anything you think you'll need. Just say the word. But you better be certain before making any moves—you're not just risking your lives, you're risking hers."

     Guilt gnaws at me, but I swallow it back. I can't let it consume me—not when Alicia depends on us. "We'll find her, no matter what it takes. And we'll bring her home safe. I promise you that."

      Aiden looks conflicted, anger still simmering beneath the surface. But there's something else in his eyes now—a flicker of reluctant alliance. "For Alicia," he finally mutters, and the words hang heavy in the air.

     The room echoes with agreement. We all have our reasons—our motives. But now, we're united by a singular goal: to save Alicia.

     As plans begin to form and strategize, I feel the fire igniting within me. We haven't executed anything yet, but already, the thought of reclaiming My Alicia fuels me with a resolve I can't afford to waver from. We will take the fight to Dominik, and when we do, I'll make sure he knows the true price of his actions.

       My Alicia, wherever you are, just hold on a little longer. We're coming for you.

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A/N:
Such wholesome bonding time with the in-laws, don't you think? ;)
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