Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

He will bring their son home.

(JARED'S POV)

Denzel Hernandez.

The name hit me like a punch to the gut. The last person I wanted to hear from, not when my world was already falling apart. My grip on the phone tightened as anger surged through me why the hell was he calling now?

"Look, I don't know how you got my number, but I don't have time for your silly games," I snapped, ready to press the "end call" button.

"Oh, don't hang up, Jared," Denzel's voice was as smooth as ever. "You'll want to hear what I have to say. Trust me on this."

"What the hell do you want?"

"Well you really should know. There's a kid with me, I think his name is...Maverick?"

My heart slammed against my ribs, the world narrowing to a single point. So it was him.

"You bastard! What have you done to him?" My voice was low and deadly, barely controlled. My grip on the phone threatened to crush it.

"Nothing," he said coolly. "At least not yet. There's a small mole on his left earlobe huh?"

"Denzel," I said, barely containing the venom in my words. "I didn't expect you to be this silly. You do realize this is blackmail, right? If you touch a single hair on his head, I will bring you, your company, and everything you've ever built to the ground. I promise you that." As I spoke, Oliver stepped in, a questioning look on his face, but I silently motioned for him to stay back. He knew what this was about.

"Follow this number," I muttered under my breath, knowing Oliver would understand. "Track him down, find where he's hiding."

At the other end of the line, Denzel's mocking laughter echoed through the receiver. "Oops, now I'm really scared," he taunted. "Look at you, Jared-such a devoted father. But I've only got one thing to say to you: Shut the fuck up!"

I clenched my fist until my knuckles turned white.

"This is business, Jared," Denzel continued, his tone dripping with fake sympathy. "We both know that sometimes, extreme measures are necessary. I'm not a criminal, but you need to understand something: If you don't cooperate, you'll lose everything. Everything. I'm just making it clear. You can't make threats to me, Jared... or your son will be the one to pay the price."

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my chest. What kind of psycho kidnaps an innocent child to get to his father? What kind of monster does that?

"What do you want?" My voice was barely above a whisper, laced with dread as I shut my eyes, the thought of Maverick, scared and alone, gnawing at me. I wanted to be anywhere but here, but I had no choice. I had to play his game.

the company to me in 48 hours. And you'll do it at a price lower than

throat. This wasn't the first time he'd tried to seize control of my company. All his previous

Coward.

word aloud. He had the life of

do that?" I asked calmly

I guess you're wondering how I know so much about him? I've spent some quality time with him. He's adorable, Jared. I'm actually enjoying having him around. I'm rubbing his little cheeks as we speak. It's a

me. My pulse pounded in my ears as Oliver walked back, his face pale and anxious. I could tell he'd gathered some leads. Swift, precise. I gave

no time to

sign over the shares. Just don't hurt

abandoned warehouse on 5th and main. Come alone, and with the

"And Maverick?"

waiting for you.

hurt him," I

involve the cops." he spat, before abruptly hanging

The line went dead.

stepped forward, his

number. I've I got

group just had a shareholder's meeting tast month. They're planning to

was the last thing I needed.

his attempts to sabotage my company in such a long time. Denzel'd lost all sense of reason in his pursuit of power. He'd been lying low for too long, and

now, why he would kidnap Maverick...

was cut off by

her face was still pale, but there was no hiding

into the

because of you?" Her voice was quiet, but there was a sharp edge to her words.

on my chest, suffocating me. I never expected her to be angry at me, not now. But I couldn't blame her. My words all

the hell had Denzel suddenly gotten to Maverick and how the hell did he know he was my son, unless of course he has been keeping a tab

process everything, but Arielle's voice broke through my thoughts. She

answering. I need money...

together, and panic surged in my

she hung up, her eyes

you borrowing money?" I asked, my voice tight with confusion and a growing