The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 196

Ten Minutes Earlier

Alex and Sophia sat side by side in the dimly lit interrogation room, their wrists and ankles cuffed with heavy chains bolted to the floor.

Sophia's breathing grew ragged.

She hated how the gloom pricked at her brain with worst-case scenarios.

"Alex," she said quietly, her voice trembling, "do you honestly think we'll get out of here alive?"

Alex didn't move at first.

His gaze stayed locked on the metal door. "We will," he finally muttered. "We're walking out of this place in one piece. I guarantee it.'

A humorless laugh escaped Sophia's lips.

"Easy for you to say. You haven't had nightmares about this creep, Mr. Bernard. His record in the station is as dirty as it gets."

She swallowed hard, her next words barely above a whisper. "And with Sir Raymond pulling the strings, it's like they have the entire city in their pocket. We don't stand a chance."

Alex turned to face her then-really turned, with a look that pinned her in place. "Sophia, have you ever trusted me? Even for one second?"

She opened her mouth but only managed a croak. The thought stuck in her throat like a jagged rock.

Before she could get another word out, the metal door groaned open.

Mr. Bernard stomped inside with a posse of four burly men behind him, each wearing that bored, dangerous sneer only seasoned criminals wore.

A battered duffel bag hit the metal table with a dull thud, its zipper snapping open to reveal thick wads of cash.

Bernard shot them a rotten grin, displaying crooked, yellowing teeth.

"Listen up, kiddies. This is one million dollars in unmarked bills." He kicked the bag closer.

do is hand over what Sir Raymond wants. Then you can walk

behind him with a sadistic gleam "-you keep being difficult. I let these fine gentlemen have their fun with your lady. Spoiler alert: you'll still end up giving us what we want, only you'll be a lot more

Sophia's stomach lurched.

voice desperate. "Come on, Alex, just give them whatever Sir Raymond's

is not how I do things." Alex let out a slow breath, eyes

and keep them shut

her lip, clearly

1/3

Chapter 196

about the quiet force in his voice made her d. She

sweet? A heroic little stand off. Too

have made my decision," Alex said, calm as a gun barrel. "I'm not giving him a

dumb piece of gutter trash. You think you've got a choice here?" He jerked

cells. They'd love nothing more than to rip off that pretty little dress your

the men, a skinhead with a grotesque

of a woman for too damn long, boss. Might not be gentle, but I'll make sure the show is

vindictive glee carving wrinkles into his face. "You hear that, kid? Time to learn your place in the world. A

slicing through every word. "If you so much as

laughter. "Listen to you. All bark,

cuffs around Alex's wrists and ankles gave a sudden, earsplitting snap, interrupting Bernard

insult.

clattering onto the floor like broken shackles of

dropped. "What

froze,

backed away, his hands raised in a meek surrender. "Look, dude, we only did this 'cause the pig told us

and his petrified lackeys. Panic settled over him like a thick fog. "Don't just stand

the criminals only

during their stints in lockup to know this was suicide

was worth tangling with a man who could shred reinforced cuffs

spun, trying to bolt

Anyone-!" His shriek ended in a sputter when one of the men grabbed

the man muttered, eyes darting anywhere but Alex. "Do whatever you