The Luna Is Gone by Angelique Quinn

Chapter 144

Third–person POV

Kayden’s face contorted with rage as he paced back and forth in the office at Kayden’s face contorted with rage as h

his home. The news he had just received from one of his men had infuriated him to no end. How had they managed to lose Marlene? And worse yet, someone had

come to her rescue, thwarting his carefully crafted plan to bury her alive in a

coffin and be done with her once and for all.

Grabbing his phone, his hands trembling with anger, Kayden dialed the number of

the incompetent fool he had hired for the job. The phone rang, and finally, the

man picked up.

“What the hell happened?! You imbecile!” Kayden bellowed, his voice laced with fury. “How could you let her slip away?”

The hired killer stammered, clearly intimidated by Kayden’s rage. “I… I’m sorry, Mr. Black. It was unexpected. Someone, out of nowhere, showed up, started shooting at us, and he ended up saving her.”

Kayden’s anger surged even higher, his face turning a deep shade of red. “Do you have any comprehension of the consequences, you fool? You had one job and one opportunity to eliminate that one insignificant woman, but you just had to blow it like an idiot! Now, find her and make sure you do your jobs right this time without excuses, or I promise you, you’ll be the one buried in a coffin!”

With that final warning, Kayden abruptly ended the call, his breath heavy with

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frustration. He hated that he had underestimated Marlene’s resourcefulness, and

now he had a brewing storm in the form of Marlene’s rage to contend with. He paced the room, his mind racing with the implications of Marlene’s escape and her potential knowledge of his involvement.

As he brooded over the possibilities, his phone began to ring, the jarring sound cutting through his thoughts. Irritated by the interruption, Kayden intended to ignore the call, but when he saw that it was Martin, his best friend and assistant, his annoyance subsided, replaced by curiosity.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Kayden quickly answered the call. “Martin, what’s going on?” he asked, trying to keep his voice from betraying his pent–up frustrations.

latin wh

There was a slight pause, and then Martin’s voice came through the phone, sounding more urgent than usual. “Kayden, have you heard the news?”

Confused, Kayden replied, “News? What are you talking about, Martin? Get to the

point.”

The sound of Martin sighing deeply reached Kayden’s ears before he spoke again.” Switch on your TV, Kayden. There have been multiple fire outbreaks, and they’re reporting that most of them are at your warehouses and ongoing construction

sites.”

Kayden’s heart skipped a beat as Martin’s words sank in. Fire outbreaks? His properties and projects? Dread, accompanied by a sinking feeling, knotted his

stomach, and he didn’t want to believe that was possible.

scrambled to find

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the line, Kayden scrambled

television. The news channel appeared, showcasing footage of billowing flames engulfing what he

looked almost nothing

chaotic scenes unfold,

of such damage, that would mean that whoever was responsible for this was none other than Richard Romero.

as he watched the news

clenched his fists, feeling the weight of

How could this be happening to him? How could he be

dollars in the blink of an

are you okay?” Martin asked cautiously, concern lacing his

be okay, Martin? Look at this!” Kayden spat out, gesturing toward

images of his burning empire. “Billions of

down the drain like it was nothing. Do

would cost us?”

of Kayden’s anger, Martin took a moment to gather his thoughts. “We need to find out who’s responsible

obvious that this was done

betrayal, and helplessness. “Of course, it was deliberate.

cause of this fire I can’t let Richard get

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arcu

Kayden shifted his focus to the practical matters at

the extent of the damage? How much

fire cost me?”

turned grim as he relayed his

we’re looking at a

replied, his voice weighted with the severity of the news. “Most

projects will have to be restarted, and there is a possibility that

withdraw and demand full

frustrated sigh, the sheer

him. “Two billion dollars,” he muttered,

be some sick

cover any of these

they confirm the cause of the fire,” Martin explained. “If it was an accident or as a result of our negligence, then we shouldn’t expect much assistance. However, if it is proven to be arson, as we suspect, then insurance should be able to cover at least

of the debt.”

the information I need. Find out the cause of the fire outbreak immediately, and I want to know what Richard is up to, and I want

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right on it. We already have an investigator looking into the fire, and I’ll personally ensure we have all the information