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?"

said, "You smell like you haven't showered in days. It's

the

here?" Sammy asked sharply. "Is something wrong?

little troublemaker, didn't I hint that you should take the chance to run away when the people from 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

could give Sammy a piece of his mind right then and

But Sammy wasn't scared.

dad was coming for him, Sammy tensed up on

excited, happy? You'll see your dad soon!" Ryan never intended to harm Sammy. His stance

leave, although Ryan would miss the brilliance of the kid,

he was caught between goodness and evil, a

bushes in the middle, a

lit a

I can't be exposed. Do you

action quickly drew the attention of

Lenny, even from a distance

It was Sammy...

His son.

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

he muttered,

started running over, almost

group also charged towards Sammy, responsible for moving

Florence!

run to me, quick! Daddy's here to pick you up, son. I'm

was

and quick-witted, should've understood the situation and run towards

But Sammy didn't.

jumped down from his shoulder and