Chereads / TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE / Chapter 12 - CH 12: THE STANDOFF

Chapter 12 - CH 12: THE STANDOFF

AT THE PR AGENCY

SOPHIE'S POV

The door burst open with a force that made me flinch, but I masked it quickly. Damien strode in, his steps echoing like thunder, his face a mask of barely contained rage.

He didn't bother greeting me. Instead, he reached into his jacket and slammed a USB onto the table between us. "Play it," he barked, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.

I arched an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. "What's this? Another one of your intimidation tactics? How predictable."

"Play it, Sophia." His voice was low and deadly, and for the first time, I felt a sliver of unease crawl up my spine.

I picked up the USB, my expression unreadable, and plugged it into the laptop. The video began to play.

My face appeared on the screen, seated at a café with a man I didn't recognize. The angle made it look suspicious, like I was whispering secrets to the enemy.

"What the hell is this?" I snapped, looking up at him.

Damien's laugh was cold and sharp. "You tell me. What were you doing plotting with a journalist behind my back?"

I shot to my feet, my chair scraping against the floor. "Are you insane? I don't even know that man! This is obviously a setup."

"A setup?" he echoed, his voice dripping with disbelief. "Do you think I'm stupid, Sophia? The timing, the secrecy it all adds up."

My temper flared. "Yes, Damien. I think you're stupid if you believe this nonsense. I was there to return your 80 million, not to destroy you or your precious Cassandra Laine. If you used half the brain you're so proud of, you would see that."

His eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer, his towering presence almost suffocating. "Watch your tone."

"Or what?" I shot back, my voice rising. "You'll bully me into silence? Newsflash, Damien, I'm not one of your lackeys. You can't scare me."

The tension in the room was electric, the air thick with unspoken threats.

Damien leaned closer, his voice a whisper but no less menacing. "You're playing a dangerous game, Sophia. Do you know what I do to people who cross me?"

I smirked, even as my heart raced. "Do you know what I do to men who think they can control me? You don't scare me, Damien. You're just a rich boy with anger issues."

His fist slammed onto the table, and I flinched despite myself. "You don't know who you're messing with."

"And you don't know who you're underestimating," I snapped back.

He straightened, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "We have your sister, Sophia."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I refused to let him see the fear that gripped me.

"If you hurt her," I said, my voice dangerously low, "I'll make sure you lose everything. And I mean everything."

Damien took a step closer, his face inches from mine. "Don't test me."

"Don't test me," I hissed.

For a moment, it felt like the world held its breath. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving me standing there, trembling with fury and fear.

The moment Damien stormed out, the room felt colder, heavier. My legs gave out, and I sank into the chair, my hands trembling as I reached for my phone.

"Hannah," I whispered, dialing her number. The phone rang once, twice, and then...nothing.

"Oh please pick up...pick up" I muttered as I was shivering

No answer.

I tried again, my breaths quickening with each passing second. Still nothing.

A sickening fear gripped my chest. "No, no, no," I muttered, pacing the room. My mind raced. Why would Damien even think I'd sell him out to the press? And why drag Hannah into this?

My throat tightened, and before I realized it, tears welled up in my eyes. "Pull yourself together, Sophia," I muttered angrily, wiping them away.

I dialed again. This time, I left a voicemail. "Hannah, it's me. Call me back the second you get this. Please, I need to know you're okay." My voice cracked, and I hung up, staring at the screen like it could magically bring her back.

Panic was creeping in fast, but then a name flashed in my mind a long-forgotten ally. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to get his hands dirty.

Antonio De Luca.

A childhood friend who had grown into a ruthless mafia boss. We hadn't spoken in years, but if there was anyone who could help me find Hannah, it was him.

I scrolled through my contacts, my fingers trembling as I found his number. With a deep breath, I pressed call.

It rang twice before a familiar deep voice answered. "Sophia? To what do I owe the honor?"

"Antonio," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need your help. My sister… she's missing."

There was a pause on the other end. "Missing? What happened?"

I swallowed hard. "Damien Steele happened. He's using her to get to me, and I..." My voice broke, and I took a shaky breath. "I don't know what to do."

Antonio's tone turned cold, dangerous. "Damien Steele. That arrogant bastard. You should've called me the second he became a problem."

"I didn't think it would get this far," I admitted, guilt washing over me.

"Where are you now?" he asked.

"At my agency," I replied.

"Stay there. I'll send someone to watch your back. And Sophia?"

"Yes?"

"Don't do anything stupid. We'll get her back."

The call ended, but my hands were still shaking. For the first time in years, I felt truly powerless. But if Damien thought he could break me, he was dead wrong.

This was war.