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The glow of multiple monitors filled the dark room, casting eerie shadows across the walls. D'kazi stood in the center, his expression unreadable, his body rigid. The air was thick with tension, the sound of keys clacking filling the space as Jace worked tirelessly, searching for any trace of Sariyah.
It had been hours.
Hours of searching.
Hours of nothing.
D'kazi clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The more time passed, the further away she felt. Every minute wasted was another minute Sariyah was alone with him.
But something wasn't right.
Kai leaned back in his chair, his face twisted in frustration. "I don't get it. This guy has no trail. No movement. No rentals, no abandoned properties in his name, no recent transactions—"
Malik grunted. "That's not possible. Everyone has something."
Jace shook his head. "Not this guy. It's like he knew someone would come looking for her. Like he wiped himself clean before making a move."
D'kazi's breathing slowed.
Justin had been planning this.
Not just for days. Not just for weeks.
For months. Maybe even years.
A slow-burning rage coiled in his chest, deep and unrelenting. His mind raced, trying to think of the next step. He had a team, resources, but what good were they if he had nothing to track?
His voice came out low, dangerous. "Keep looking."
Jace nodded, fingers moving over the keyboard again. Malik stood and started pacing, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kai, however, was watching D'kazi closely. "You holding up?"
D'kazi didn't answer. There was no point.
He wasn't holding up.
He was unraveling.
And the longer this dragged on, the worse it was going to get.
For everyone.
---
Sariyah's Perspective
Justin paced in front of her, his eyes dark with obsession.
"You know, I really tried to be patient," he said. "I gave you time to come back to me. To realize what we had."
Sariyah's wrists burned against the ropes, but she didn't show her pain. She met his gaze with nothing but cold hatred.
"You're insane."
Justin laughed, running a hand through his hair. "No, sweetheart. I'm just in love."
She clenched her jaw. "Love doesn't look like this."
His expression darkened, and he stepped closer. "You don't get to decide what love looks like. I do."
She felt the bile rise in her throat but refused to look away.
Then, Justin exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. He crouched down in front of her, tilting his head like he was studying her.
"I'll make this simple," he said, his voice disturbingly calm.
"You have two choices."
Sariyah's heart pounded.
"One," he continued, holding up a finger, "you marry me. We wipe the past clean. Start over. You learn to love me again."
Her stomach turned.
"Or two..." He held up another finger. "I kill you."
The room felt like it shrank around her.
Her body tensed, her mind racing. He was serious. Deadly serious.
Sariyah took a slow breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "And if I say no?"
Justin sighed, shaking his head. "Why do you have to make things so difficult, baby? I don't want to hurt you. I love you."
She stayed silent.
"Do you think he's going to save you?" Justin sneered, his face twisting with jealousy. "D'kazi? He's not coming. If he was, he'd be here by now."
Sariyah swallowed hard, but she didn't let his words sink in. D'kazi would find her.
Justin smiled, like he could see right through her. "You don't believe me. That's okay. You will."
Then, he stood abruptly, his face shifting back into something cold.
"I'm giving you one more chance," he said. "Say yes, and I'll let you live."
Sariyah locked eyes with him. "Go to hell."
A flicker of irritation passed over his features before he scoffed. "Fine."
Then he turned toward the door, yanking it open.
"She's all yours," he told the men outside. "Have your fun."
Sariyah's stomach dropped.
She heard footsteps.
Voices—low, eager, cruel.
She refused to let them see her panic.
Her eyes filled with tears, but she would not let them fall.
