The words felt weirdly familiar–like something I’d just heard earlier today. Not straight from Ron, but
him quoting the big boss.
My eyes drifted to Hayden, and for a second, I wondered. But from what I knew about him, there
was no way he had any connection to the mysterious CEO.
“Tough guy, huh?” The bald leader let out this cold, almost amusedugh. “Let’s see what being
tough costs you today.”
He cracked his neck, each pop sounding like a warning, before giving themand. “Smash it!”
In seconds, his crew started wrecking the amusement park. But Hayden didn’t move an inch. I knew
why.
He wasn’t scared. He was calcting. These guys weren’t just wrecking the park for fun–this was a
direct hit on Jace’s business. The stakes just got real.
Right on cue, the amusement park’s security team rushed in. They might not have cared about
stepping in for Hayden, but when it came to protecting the park? That was their job.
Even though the intruders were tough, they were outnumbered, and it didn’t take long for the
security team to start taking them down.
But these punks weren’t rookies. Just when things seemed under control, the bald leader grabbed
the head of security and yanked him close, pressing a knife to his throat. “Everyone back off, or I’ll
spill his blood right here!” he barked. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
I hadn’t expected things to blow up like this. My heart raced as I signaled the security team to let the
other thugs go.
They did, releasing the rest of the gang.
But the bald guy? He still had a firm grip on the head of security. His eyes locked on Hayden. “Think
you’re tough? I love breaking tough guys. How about you get on your knees and beg? Do that, and
maybe I’ll let him go. Otherwise, he’s done.”
I couldn’t stay quiet anymore. “You can’t just hurt people like that!”
His eyes snapped to me, a sleazy grin spreading across his face. “Well, well, where’d this hottie
come from? If you’re so good at looking out for people, why don’t youe over here, sweetheart?
I promise! won’t hurt you–or him.”
People always say two out of three punks are total creeps, and this guy was proving it spot on.
He started dragging his hostage closer, like he wasn’t nning to let me off the hook whether I
moved or not. I braced myself, ready to act if he came any closer
But before I could do anything, Hayden moved–so fast I barely caught it. One second, he was
beside me; the next, he was right in front of the bald guy. In one smooth motion, Hayden’s leg shot
out.
The bald guy yelped as Hayden’s kick mmed into his chest,unching him backward.
With a solid thud, he hit the ground hard, his head bouncing off the pavement with a satisfying
thwack- twice, for good measure.
All I could think was: Lots of meat, lots of bounce. It was ridiculous, but also weirdly urate.
The other thugs froze, staring at their leader in shock. Then they snapped out of it, shouting,
“Darby!” as they rushed to his side.
Seeing their boss taken down so easily, the rest of the gang looked like they’d lost all their nerve.
They seemed ready to charge at Hayden, but he cut them off with a sharp,manding. “Get lost!”
They stopped cold.
A momentter, they were scrambling to help their bleeding leader, hauling him to his feet before
slinking off, looking pretty shaken.
I exhaled, my eyes scanning the damage they’d left behind. Shattered ss, wrecked rides–
everything was trashed.
Turning to Hayden, I asked, “What’s going on here?”
He didn’t bother hiding it. “It’s about my dad’s car ident. They don’t want me looking into it any
further.
I stared at him, stunned. If they were going this far to shut him down, then something was definitely
up with his father’s death.
Instinctively, I asked, “What have you found out so far?
Hayden stayed quiet, his silence stretching out. That’s when I realized how awkward my question
was, especially since I’d been avoiding him for days. Maybe it was too much to ask.
I gave a nervous, embarrassed smile. “Never mind, 1-
Before I could finish, someone called out, “Mr. Johnston.”