“He doesn’t dare to speak!” Herman’s voice cut through the darkness just as the lights came back


    on.


    He stood not far away, a cold, twisted smile at the corners of his mouth.


    So, I’d been right–this was his n all along. There was never any real chance of escape, and now


    we’d only managed to provoke him.


    Without thinking, I yanked the person holding my hand behind me, stepping forward protectively.


    Herman sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Haddy, are you really so pathetic now? Hiding


    behind a woman?”


    Haddy?


    Was he talking about… Hayden? But where was Hayden?


    Then, the person I’d pulled behind me stepped forward, and I heard a voice I knew way too well. I


    turned, stunned. Standing beside me, hand still in mine, was Hayden.


    Wait… Hayden? I could’ve sworn it was Steve leading me.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    I stared at him,pletely thrown. Hayden’s intense gaze was fixed on Hernan. “If you don’t want


    to lose face, then step aside.”


    The confidence in his voice was unmistakable, and I couldn’t help but wonder where he found this


    kind of


    nerve.


    Hernanughed, low and mocking. “Don’t tell me you’re actually foolish enough to walk right into my


    trap without realizing it.”


    Hayden’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t flinch. “Then you should know that if I came here, it’s because


    I n to leave–whether you like it or not.”


    Hemman raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Then let’s see it. I’d love to watch you try to walk out of


    here… especially with this girl tagging along.”


    “If you weren’t standing in his way, maybe he wouldn’t have to,” came Jace’s voice from behind


    Hernan. Clearly, Hernan was surrounded.


    No wonder Steve had been so confident about getting me out. They’d nned this all along.


    But Hernan didn’t look the least bit surprised. He just smiled, casting a quick nce to someone


    nearby before speaking. “Haddy, you might want to look up before you start making threats.”


    Hayden and I both looked up. A screen on the ceiling flickered on, showing Yuna and Wade locked


    in a room, their faces–pale and anxious.


    My heart clenched, and I whipped around to face Heman, fury zing in my eyes. “Kidnapping


    girls–is that all you’ve got?”


    Hernan ignored me, his gaze locked on Hayden. I nced at Hayden, trying to read him, but his


    expression was stone–cold.


    Then Yara’s voice came through the speakers. “Yuna, Wade,e with me.”


    ?


    I looked back up. Now the video showed Yara in the room with Yuna and Wade, two of Herman’s


    guards unconscious at her feet.


    This woman never ceased to amaze me


    p p.


    Heman’s slow apuse filled the room. “Haddy, I have to hand it to you. Just as clever as ever. Not


    only are your tactics impressive, but you’re bold enough to pull off this little–switcheroo right under


    my nose.” Hayden’s gaze hardened, a rare spark of defiance in his eyes. “If you know that, then get


    lost.”


    Heman shook his head, smirking. Tve waited four years for this showdown. If I let you beat me that


    easily, how would I ever hold my head up again?”


    Heman’s words confirmed it–they had history. Some old grudge that went way back. And somehow,


    I’d been dragged right into the middle of it.


    It was obvious Hayden’s side had the upper hand, but the way Herman was talking? He definitely


    had more tricks up his sleeve


    I forced myself to stay calm. “Herman, whatever beef you have with Hayden, take it up with him. I’ve


    got nothing to do with it.”


    Honestly, I was just hoping that distancing myself would keep Hayden from splitting his focus to


    protect me. He’d clearlye here to get me out, that much was obvious.