Travis jolted awake, his chest heaving as the absence of Taylor's warmth beside him sent an icy shock through his body. The room felt empty, colder than it ever had. Panic rose like a tide, but it was quickly replaced by a furious, boiling rage. This wasn't just about business or power—it was about her, and he wasn't going to let anyone take her. Not now. Not ever.
His phone buzzed violently on the nightstand. He snatched it up, his hands trembling, his eyes darting across the screen as notifications flooded in.
Incoming Call — Ross — 6:04 AM
Travis pressed the green button, the call connecting immediately. Ross's breath was heavy, each word coming fast and sharp.
Ross (voice cracking): "Bro, it's bad. I don't know how the hell this happened, but Taylor... she's not here. I've checked every damn corner of the place. Every room. Every closet. Nothing. Like she just disappeared into thin air."
Travis's jaw clenched tighter, the anger bubbling just beneath his skin. "What do you mean, gone? My house. My crew. How the hell could someone get past us? No one moves without us knowing. Nobody."
Ross: "I don't know, man. We had every security system running. Cameras, guards... everything. It's like Santino has eyes everywhere. Like he's... inside our heads."
Incoming Call — Patrick — 6:05 AM
Travis barely let it ring before answering. Patrick's voice came through, shaky but resolute.
Patrick (voice strained, almost a whisper): "Travis, listen to me. Something's seriously wrong. We've got surveillance footage from last night. A black SUV. No plates. It just parked near the east side. For hours. Like it was waiting, taunting us. Like it knew we were there, every step we took."
Travis felt the blood in his veins turn cold. "What kind of game is this bastard playing? What the hell is Santino trying to do?"
Patrick: "Man, he's not just about power anymore. He's playing dirty, Travis. He's out to dismantle everything. Us, you, the crew... and now, it's about Taylor. He's targeting us where it hurts. Deep."
Ross: 6:08
Text: "Travis, I'm at the east side perimeter. I've got eyes out. No movement. No noise. Just shadows. Like the place itself is swallowing everything whole. I don't like this. Not one bit."
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Patrick: 6:09
Text: "We need a plan. We can't let him dictate the game. Let's hit every street, every safe house. Every alley. Every corner of this city. If Santino thinks he's in control, we'll show him that we're watching every damn move he makes."
Suddenly, a new message appeared on Travis's screen. An unknown number. His heart stopped for a split second as he clicked it open.
Unknown: 6:11
Text: "Good morning, Travis. Here's a little reminder of what's at stake. If you want Taylor back, you play by my rules. No mercy. No games. Just power. Control. Loyalty. Or betrayal. Choose wisely."
Attached to the message was a photo. A grainy, dimly lit image of Taylor sitting on a chair. Her hands were tied, her eyes wide with fear but full of defiance. She was bruised, but her gaze remained unyielding. The image sent a bolt of fury through Travis, his breathing ragged with the storm of emotions crashing through him.
His fingers flew across the screen.
Travis: "You think you can take what's mine and walk away? I'll find you, Santino. No matter where you hide. No matter the cost."
Beyond the eastern side of the house, the black SUV reappeared. The vehicle sat in the shadows, its headlights flicking on and off, a chilling message in itself. A tall figure stepped out of the SUV, the silhouette of Santino emerging into the dim light.
Santino's eyes gleamed with ruthless calculation as he stared at the house. His phone buzzed. A notification popped up—a new message.
Santino (to himself, smirking):
"Let's see how far you'll go, Travis. How far you'll fight. She's mine now, and loyalty... loyalty always comes with a price."
He turned and disappeared back into the shadows, blending into the night like a ghost. Every movement, every calculated gesture, sent a clear message to Travis.
This was no longer a battle for dominance; it was a war. A war where love and loyalty would collide with power and betrayal, where every choice would carve a path through danger and blood.
YOU ARE READING
Under His Protection
RomanceTravis Kelce (22) is a powerful mafia boss who controls the city from the shadows. While feared and respected by everyone, his life is a lonely one. He often visits a specific bar as a way to escape his dangerous world. Taylor(21) is a bartender wor...
