Ava's breath caught in her throat as the icy voice echoed through the darkened warehouse. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat a desperate reminder that she was standing on the brink of something terrible. Caleb stiffened beside her, his hand instinctively moving to shield her as they both turned toward the source of the voice.
From the shadows stepped a tall, imposing figure, the dim light catching on the edge of a sharp, angular face. He moved with the confidence of a man who knew he was in control, his cold eyes locking onto Ava's with a predatory gleam that sent a chill down her spine.
"I was wondering when you'd show up," the man said, his voice smooth but laced with a sinister undertone. "It was only a matter of time before you came running after him."
Ava's pulse quickened, her gaze flicking to Jaxon, who remained slumped in the chair, his face pale and bruised. She wanted nothing more than to rush to his side, to free him from whatever hell he was enduring, but the threat in the man's voice held her in place.
"Who are you?" Caleb demanded, his tone low and dangerous. His body was tense, ready to spring into action if necessary.
The man chuckled, a sound that was devoid of any real humor. "Names aren't important. What matters is that you've walked straight into a situation far beyond your control."
Ava clenched her fists, her fear mixing with anger. "If you hurt him, I swear..."
The man held up a hand, silencing her with a cold smile. "You're not in a position to make threats, Ms. Sinclair. But I admire your spirit. It's almost a shame that it's going to get you into so much trouble."
Caleb's eyes narrowed, his posture shifting slightly as he prepared for whatever might come next. "What do you want?"
"What I want," the man said slowly, as if savoring the words, "is for Jaxon to remember his place. He's forgotten who he is, who he owes his loyalty to. But don't worry I'm here to remind him."
Ava felt a wave of nausea wash over her as the man's words sank in. This was more than just a power play. It was personal, a vendetta rooted in the shadows of Jaxon's past. And now, they were all caught in its deadly web.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her efforts to stay calm. "What are you going to do to him?"
The man's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "That depends on you, Ms. Sinclair. On how willing you are to cooperate."
Ava's heart skipped a beat, dread pooling in her stomach. "Cooperate? With what?"
"Veronica has big plans," the man replied, his tone taking on an edge of impatience. "Plans that Jaxon has been interfering with. But you..." he gestured toward her, his gaze appraising "you might be the key to getting him back in line."
Caleb took a step forward, his jaw clenched. "You think you can manipulate Ava into doing your dirty work? You're delusional."
The man's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Caleb with cold disdain. "I suggest you watch your tone. You're in no position to negotiate."
Ava's mind raced, the implications of the man's words crashing over her like a tidal wave. They were using her to get to Jaxon, to force him back under their control. And if she didn't comply...
"What do you want me to do?" Ava asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She hated herself for even asking, but she knew that she had to buy time, had to find a way to get Jaxon out of this alive.
The man's smile returned, though it was devoid of any warmth. "Smart girl. Veronica will be pleased to hear you're willing to cooperate."
Ava's stomach churned at the mention of Veronica's name, but she forced herself to stay focused. "Just tell me what you want."
The man's gaze shifted to Jaxon, who had begun to stir, his movements sluggish and pained. "Jaxon has been very uncooperative lately. Veronica wants him back in the fold, but he's been... resistant. Your job is simple, Ms. Sinclair. Convince him to play along. Convince him that fighting us is pointless."
Ava's heart twisted as she looked at Jaxon, his face bruised and bloodied. The thought of betraying him, of becoming the tool they used to break him, was unbearable. But she knew she had to keep them talking, had to find a way to stall for time.
"And if I refuse?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
The man's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, merciless stare. "Then Jaxon will pay the price. And so will you."
Ava's blood ran cold, the weight of the threat pressing down on her like a vise. She knew she couldn't let them win, couldn't let them turn her into a pawn in their twisted game. But she also knew that any wrong move could cost Jaxon his life.
Caleb's hand tightened around hers, his silent support the only thing keeping her grounded in the moment. She knew that whatever happened next, they had to stay united, had to find a way to outsmart the man standing in front of them.
But as the seconds ticked by, Ava realized with a sinking heart that they were running out of options. The trap had closed around them, and now, all they could do was play along—until they could find a way to break free.
The man took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with the promise of violence. "You have one chance to make the right choice, Ms. Sinclair. Don't waste it."
Ava's mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to think of a way out. But the more she thought, the more she realized how dire their situation truly was. The man in front of her was dangerous, ruthless, and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
And as she looked into his cold, calculating eyes, Ava knew that they were out of time.
Whatever choice she made next would change everything.