Chapter 134

The previous night.

A restless moon hung over Vancouver that night, casting a pale glow across the cramped apartment block where Marco Ashford arrived in a breathless rush.

His heart thudded louder than his footsteps, though he kept his face carefully composed.

Inside, Florence stood in the faint hallway light, her cheeks streaked with tears, her shoulders trembling.

"Florence, what happened?" he asked, mustering his best tone of concern.

She clutched at his arm, her grip so tight it hurt.

"Marco-oh God-my daughter! They took Sophia! You've got to help her!"

Marco forced a sympathetic frown, fighting the guilt that coiled in his stomach.

"Who took her?" he asked quietly, even though the answer was already gnawing at him.

He'd sold Sophia's address to Hans, and the shame of that betrayal pressed like a cold stone against his chest.

Florence's voice cracked, her tears renewing. "I-I don't know. It was so fast. Please, Marco-you have connections, you can do something!"

He nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Take it easy," he said softly, sounding smoother than he felt. "I'll call my people. I promise they'll find Sophia. Nothing will happen to her."

Florence let out a shaky breath, clinging to his reassurance as though it were the only thing keeping her upright.

"Thank you," she whispered, eyes red and desperate. "You are the only one I believe."

Stepping aside, Marco pretended to dial a number, anxiety tightening his gut.

Returning to her, he wore the mask of a grim messenger.

"I got some news," he said heavily. "Harlan Drake is after Sophia because of Alex. He attacked Drake's prince. Jasper's in the hospital." He paused, letting the gravity of the words sink in.

"Drake's out for blood."

Florence's knees nearly gave out. "My baby... my Sophia..." The heartbreak on her face made Marco's throat close up.

"Don't worry," he lied, gentling his voice. "I've got people on it. She'll be safe, I swear." As he spoke, the hope twisted his

stomach.

Part of him silently wished the entire mess-Alex, Sophia, all of it would just vanish.

His life depended on it.

When the axe entered the forest, the trees said, "The handle is one of us.'

Elsewhere in Vancouver, the tension was a physical thing, crackling through the air like static.

At one of Harlan Drake's nightclubs, about thirty men stomped inside, assault rifles drawn and ready.

wearing a harsh scowl, confronted the two guards at

ours now," he said, voice

exchanged uneasy

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Chapter 134.

but they weren't stupid. Most of Drake's crew had been diverted to the mansion,

Drake's territory," he said, stepping back. "You think you can just walk

claim it?"

across the

snarled: "Join us

on his forehead. "Same salary as Harlan?" he asked, a pitiful

"Suit up with us,

Drake's nightclub fell without a

waged a swift, brutal takeover across

then his security building, then his many

location given the same three

the first

back to Hugo, one of Drake's

the Harlan's Mansion, he paced like

people playing at?" he muttered, slamming his fist on car door. "They will

the reports any longer, Hugo marched to Harlan's

once, twice, but

forcing the door open, "we've

>>

on the rug, eyes vacant, blood trickling from every opening in

even

he whispered, though he already

felt for a

saying the word

Hans appeared, breathless

Kingston's crew. We need to-"His words died

lips when he spotted Harlan's

twisted his face

killed Harlan!" he blurted,

Hugo could stop him, his voice echoing through

"Hugo killed the boss!"

wait!" Hugo roared, giving chase, but Hans burst through the front doors, broadcasting his accusation to the crowd of three hundred men assembled

Hugo did it!" Hans shouted, fear and desperation

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Chapter 134

immediate-a ripple of shock and confusion spread

mob.

somebody bellowed, "Carlos's men are taking all

third voice yelled, "The police are coming with Kingston's people! Five

men turned from a loyal army into a panicked swarm, eyes darting left and right for an escape route. One cry

That sealed it.

weren't about to risk their lives for a corpse with

dam bursting,

cars, or the safety of dark

but here.

the kingdom he'd dedicated

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