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.

his eyes flicked to the men 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

Sophia's stomach lurched.

"Come on, Alex, just

how I do things." Alex let out a

Sophia, close your eyes and keep

bit her lip,

1/3

Chapter 196

voice made her d. She closed her eyes, eyelashes

sweet? A heroic little stand off. Too bad your time's up, kid.

a gun barrel. "I'm not giving him a single thing." Bernard's face morphed from smug to

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

rotting in the cells. They'd love nothing more than to rip off that pretty little dress your girlfriend's

of the men, a skinhead with a grotesque

long, boss. Might not be gentle, but

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

every word. "If you so much as touch her, you'll be

a bark of laughter. "Listen to you. All

and ankles gave a sudden, earsplitting snap, interrupting Bernard

insult.

tall, the torn-off chains clattering onto

jaw dropped. "What the-?!

gang of criminals froze, their predatory

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

flickered between Alex and his petrified lackeys. Panic settled over him like a

only

enough during their stints in lockup to know this was suicide

of release) was worth tangling with a man who could

to

of the men grabbed him by

yours,” the man muttered, eyes darting anywhere but Alex. "Do whatever you want. We didn't sign up for this freak