Ryley flinched and shut his eyes tight at the sound of gunshots. He didn't know what was going on but the blond was sure that whatever battle was fought out there took place not far from his current location.
"What is that?! Hey! Take this rope off me!" He struggled but was only met with the sound of a stretched PVC tape.
"I told you to shut up!" The guy seemed panicked, and as he feared Ryley's scream, he decided to tape the model's mouth tightly. "Now stay here and don't make too much noise!"
The pompadour head then snatched a long black case and dashed through the bush in a hurry. Ryley saw him climb one of the trees not far from there carrying the case on his back and sat at one of the branch.
He initially thought that the guy must've wanted to hide and save himself, but then his gaze sharpened at the sight of a long rifle that had just been pulled out of the case.
Ryley couldn't help but tremble in fear as soon as he caught the pompadour head motioned for a good angle and aimed his weapon at him.
What the hell was that kid trying to do?!
Could it be that they made him a bait to lure their main target?
But if it's true then wouldn't that make a certain someone he probably knew the main….
"Ryley….!"
The blond turned his gaze at the dark woods beside him, his eyes widened in disbelief.
'Clyde…?'
What did that Alpha do out here?
Ryley knew Clyde wasn't a fool, the man could've just let him wander this forest without finding a way out and die from starving or animal attacks. He could've just waited for the news of his death while chilling in his big mansion and still, why did he come out and look for him?
The handsome model couldn't see the man's figure anywhere but he could hear Clyde call out his name. His throat moved as he unknowingly wanted to let him know that he was there, but all that could escape from his lips was a grunt.
Anger and embarrassment suddenly struck him like a lightning, the blond lowered his head in shame for allowing his irrational feelings to take over.
Where did these unknown joy come from? Why would he feel happy for thinking that the Alpha had come to his rescue?
Ryley could've sworn he wanted to see that man suffer the worst pain ever as a revenge but why? Why did his heart waver now? Why didn't he want Clyde to find him?
Wouldn't it be nice to see a bullet piercing through that bastard's head?
So why did he hesistate now?
Rustling sound came from behind his tree, the crew cut guy came in a lightning speed carrying a torch with a bloody face and ragged breathing.
"Damn bastard! I'll fucking kill him next time!" He growled as his hands moved fast to undo the rope around Ryley's body and peel off the tape on his mouth. The man then forcefully pulled the handsome model to his feet and dragged him away. "Get up! This is all because of you!"
"That hurts...! Let go of me!" Ryley snarled, trying to free himself from the man's strong grip.
The crew cut pushed the blond hard to a tree, then snatched the gasoline not far from where he stood. Just as Ryley opened his mouth to yell at him, he doused him with it.
"Shut your mouth, bitch! You ain't gonna say anything after this." The man threw the container away and took his torch. "You better not move or you will lose that pretty face of yours."
Ryley could only glare at him, the distinct smell of gasoline slowly crept into his nose. The blond just zipped his mouth tight and his cheeks puffed a little as he shot a knife-sharp gaze at the man's bloody face.
Not long after, the main target arrived with his armed entourage. His firm steps froze as he caught the figure he risked his everything for was held captive by the unknown ambusher who attacked some of his men earlier.
"I know you're looking for this bitch right here, so come and get him if you dare!" The crew cut pulled Ryley closer and leaned the torch towards the model's soaked face.
Still aiming his gun, the Alpha clenched the handle tight, the veins on his palm bulged as if they could burst at anytime.
Who the hell was that man? No, which bastard dared to send an assassin after him?
The Alpha felt his blood boil as his mind was riddled with such question. And even more when he saw the golden-haired figure standing with his hands tied and an oddly familiar loose shirt covering his tall and slender body.
Feeling that the situation had come into a dead end, Clyde signaled for his guards to lower their weapons and stepped forward.
His blue eyes shone against the darkness, perfectly glued at the handsome captive. The Alpha stopped a few steps away then dropped his gun. "What do you want?"
Ryley met his stern gaze, ripples of doubt clouded his pair of brown eyes. The grudge towards the man hadn't disappeared from his heart, but what good would it bring him if he kept trying to run away?
His brain told him he shouldn't drop his guard even if he had to let the Alpha win this time. Ryley wasn't sure why Clyde searched for him out in the woods. The man had many guards he could've sent to find him but why did he come by himself?
However, his train thoughts were interrupted by a faint gush of wind that brushed against his nape. Ryley glanced at his shoulder and flinched a little once he felt a flash of shadow just crossed behind his back. The blond tried to not make it too obvious that he noticed the movement since the crew cut guy seemed to not realize it.
"Let go of him," Clyde said after he put his gun on the ground and disarmed himself. His step stopped abruptly when another man appeared from nowhere and clapped his hands. His presence immediately alerted the Alpha's guards but Clyde motioned for them to lower their rifles again.
"What an interesting sight," he walked towards the Alpha with his hand pulling out a knife from under his bulletproof vest. "The most arrogant man on earth is begging for someone else's life. I could never have imagined the day would come but here we are."
Clyde didn't move from his place, standing firm still as the masked man approached him.
"Let's see what else will you be willing to do for him." The man said as he handed over the knife.
Ryley couldn't help but feel restless about what happened next. He felt that Clyde would really take the knife and do something stupid.
The Alpha extended his palm and reached out for the knife without taking his eyes off Ryley's figure. But the man flipped the sharp object and said, "Don't even think of doing anything reckless, that blond is soaked in gasoline. You know how valuable his face is to him."
His words implied that he could make this night the worst nightmare that Ryley ever had if Clyde attacked him. One wrong move and the torch in the hand of the crew cut guy would burn Ryley alive.
Clyde snatched the knife from his hand fast, his blue eyes were still sharp as ever. Not a word escaped his lips.
A trace of shock crossed the man's gaze as he saw the look on the tanned Alpha's face. He couldn't help but grin wildly when he thought that the person standing level to him right now would really do anything he commanded him to do.
"Your left ear, Mr. Clyde."