Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Lenny cracked a cold, heartless smile. "Your future or your daughter, you're going to have to choose."

"I just heard something. I'm about to make a move. You grab Sammy and bring him to me when I do." "Don't worry about losing your life. As long as my son is here, you and your daughter can stay alive." Ryan stared at him, shivering. This guy was a devil incarnate!

Before Ryan could react, Lenny and his bodyguard charged into the dense shrubbery mid-slope.

A whiff of smoke reached him. Just moments ago, the air carried it from the direction of the bushes.

Being a smoker himself, Ryan could tell someone was there.

Wherever they were taking Sammy, they had to pass through these bushes.

Ryan, squinting behind his glasses, could barely see a thing. The moonlight, slender as a crescent, was completely blocked by the branches.

He had no choice but to follow the path made by Lenny's rushed passage through the bent grass, desperately trying to catch up.

Finally catching up, Ryan heard the sounds of a fierce struggle.

He smartly stopped in his tracks, still desperately trying not to expose himself. He wanted to save his daughter, and at this moment, he somewhat wanted to save Sammy too.

The sounds of the fight grew more intense...

Ryan circled around, taking a wide detour from the side.

He planned to encircle them from behind. While everyone was busy dealing with Lenny, he could successfully rescue Sammy.

And soon enough, Ryan got his wish.

Because out of the darkness, a child's voice called out to him, "Ryan?"

Ryan pushed through the bushes, following the sound, a bit excited. "How did you know it was me?"

like you haven't showered in days. It's easy to smell you in the fresh mountain

grimaced and grabbed the kid's

Sammy asked sharply. "Is something wrong?

Florence were moving you? That way, you could've escaped this hellhole and found your way back to your family. But no worries, your dear dad

grim, wishing he could give Sammy a piece

But Sammy wasn't scared.

dad was coming for him, Sammy tensed

You'll see your dad soon!" Ryan never intended to harm Sammy. His stance on this matter was always at odds

although Ryan would miss the brilliance of the kid, it would also

caught between goodness and evil, a tough

moved towards the bushes in the middle, a few

a lighter

I can't be exposed. Do you want to get me

drew the attention

from the lighter was faint, but Lenny, even from a distance of a few

It was Sammy...

His son.

seen Sammy's face clearly, Lenny's heart stopped at the

dropped as he muttered, "Sammy,

running

group also charged towards Sammy, responsible for moving

Florence!

me, quick! Daddy's here to pick you up,

was

should've understood the situation and run towards

But Sammy didn't.

Ryan, he jumped down from his shoulder and stood