Forest *Complete* ✅

Chapter 7

~~~~Thursday, March 12th~~~~

Blake POV

I probably should be helping plan something for the wedding or doing schoolwork to pass the year but instead, I'm trying to follow any possible leads to find Darren. That's been the only thing on my mind lately (other than Zo). He's still dangerous and could attack at any time. I don't want to risk ever losing anyone I care about to that thing.

"Hey man."

I look up and give a small smile to Maddie. She reaches her arm out for me to grab an envelope that looks brown or yellow with age. I walk over and take it from her before examining it.

"Do you know who it's from or think you know?" I ask as I open it.

"Not a clue but I suspect Darren from how the paper looks," She answers.

I motion for her to shut the door before reading it aloud:

Dear Blake,

I know you're on my trail, but you're not gonna find me. I know where you are though and I know every step you or your girl make. That guy you caught taking Zoey-I know he's dead by now-was sent by me, a member of my brand new gang that will defeat yours soon enough. Might want to go check on Zoey by the way.

Sincerely,

Darren

"Where is Zo?" I ask immediately. 

"She went out with one of the guards to go see West and Paisley and help with the twins. Why is that important? He could just be trying to scare us," Mads says as I start running around my office to get my jacket, keys, phone, and at least one gun.

"What did the guy look like? I have specific ones that are to take care of her and I don't remember there being one missing during mine or Lukas' checks."

"He had light blond hair, sunglasses that covered his eyes, pretty pale, and wearing one of our issued uniforms for the guards that are around the house and that are to escort Zoey anywhere. He said his name was Xavier I think."

"I've never hired anyone named Xavier, especially as a guard. Which car did they take?" 

"The van in case they wanted to go anywhere. It's easier than taking a different car and having no room for any of them."

"Have tech get the location of that car from the tracker we've installed and have them send me a link to it immediately. I'll be following hopefully close behind the car and have a few others follow me and the car."

I rush out of the room as she gets on the phone and I grab the keys to my fastest car, thinking that might help me. I check my phone and the car seems to be going towards Weston's new apartment. After the twins were born, he got a small apartment with the little money he had saved up.

Zoey visits there often and I'm perfectly fine with it, but not when I don't know who the hell it is. She is my number one priority and everyone knows that which is why I'm wondering why Maddison didn't come to me sooner and tell me she left and with who.

The car stops and I get there a few minutes after it(breaking multiple laws in the process). The guard is leaning against the car as Zoey waits inside West's apartment I assume. I approach him and he says nothing but hands me a note before walking away. I watch as another car pulls up and drives away after he gets in.

I unfold it and all it is is a warning from Darren, saying next time he won't be so nice. Arms wrap around my torso and I stiffen slightly before realizing who it is.

"What's that?" Zoey asks.

"Just a receipt for the newest shipment of stuff," I reply as I tuck it into my jean pocket. "Now let's go inside and see our godchildren."

~~~~~~~A few days~~~~~~~~

"Zoey, we need to talk," I say as we eat breakfast.

"W-what is it?" She asks stuttering slightly.

"Darren has become a rising threat and I've decided it might be best if you, a few others, and trusted members of my gang go into hiding for a while until this is over."

"...okay."

"Okay? I didn't think you would okay with this so quickly."

"If that's what you think would be best then so be it. Would you go into hiding with me?"

"No, but I will visit. I would do better working with other gangs and showing I am not a coward. If he even believes that I am scared not only for your safety but also my own so much that I put us both into hiding, I will seem weak and appearance is only part of the battle. I have to make him fear me more than he already does."

"How do you know he fears you?"

"I've had cold-blooded enemies before who weren't scared of me and that have gone straight for me. He is going after you, showing is scared of me enough that he believes that he has to break me down first to be able to fight me head-on."

"Or we could be trying to get revenge and thinks that hurting me or those you care about is the best way to do it before taking what you've built for his own and letting you watch this all till the day you die."

I give her an extremely curious and confused look. Her cheeks redden slightly out of embarrassment before paling in possible fear.

"When I was kidnapped, Darren didn't think I would get out so he told me why he was doing all this and what he planned to do. He said everything I just said and seemed so sure it would happen, one way or another."

"Thank you for giving me this insight my love. Let's finish breakfast and then get you packing. I've already contacted Paisley, Hannah, and Layla. They will be on their way soon with Maddison and some guards to escort them to the safe house."

"But what will their parents or siblings think? What does Weston think?"

"Well, Paisley has no siblings and her parents are no longer speaking to her as you know. None of your adopted brothers think anything is wrong with Layla and Hannah leaving, same with your adopted mom and Carl. We've told the lie that they are an educational trip to London for a while. You all will be finishing the year online."

"What about Weston?"

I gulp before answering quietly, "He's thinking about joining the gang so he is perfectly fine with it."

"What?!"

"Calm down Zo. Paisley knows and doesn't completely agree with it like you with me being the leader of a gang, but she understands that it's his choice and she can't stop him if he decides to."

"But she can sure as hell try to stop him. I don't agree at all with you being in a gang let alone the leader, but I can't stop you because you've created it and I'm not going to ask you to hand over something that you've created to someone else. West and Pais have kids together and should be deciding this together. I'm going to go pack my stuff now. Can you clean up breakfast for me?"

I nod and she walks over to kiss my cheek before leaving me lost for words at the table.