The air felt too thick to breathe. Catherine's heartbeat increased. Her eyes locked on the glint of metal in Gregor's hand and the wicked smile on his face. He smirked,
"Come on now," he said casually, like they were old friends.
"Let's get you home princess."
"You're wasting your time," she said, trembling
" Don't waste my time you know your daddy won't be happy if I bring you back with a few bruises."
He uncovered his gun in its holster to make it more visible enough to send a clear message.
"It's time to go home."
And then— SCREEEECH.
A Car drove right at them in full speed. Before she could make sense of what was happening, a handsome looking familiar figure jumped out from the driver's side. And even through the panic, her heart recognized him before her brain did.
Liam.
Gregor turned, his eyes narrowing with suspicion as the man approached.
"It won't be as easy as the first time, friend?.
Liam didn't respond with words. He opened his trunk and picked up a crowbar, swinging it toward Gregor.
"it seems I went too easy on you the last time"Liam said
He launched at him pretending to hit him with the crowbar. Gregor stumbled back, as Liam landed a swift kick to his gut, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Stay down," Liam muttered,
his voice low, as he pointed the crowbar toward Gregor, who glared up at him.
"Get out of here, Cate," Liam ordered, without turning toward her.
Catherine hesitated, frozen in place,
"Liam..." she whispered, but he didn't turn.
"Go, now!" he barked, more urgently this time,
Catherine blinked and turned on her heel, running away towards the nearby alley.
"You're dead for this!" Gregor shouted, struggling to his feet.
Liam swung again, grazing his shoulder and sending him staggering, buying a few precious seconds. Liam backed away slowly, keeping the crowbar raised, his eyes never leaving Gregor's.
"Don't you dare try harrassing her again, the next time, it won't end at this"
Gregor spat blood on the pavement.
"You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. That girl isn't just some runaway." he said
"I don't care what she is," Liam said, stepping back toward his truck.
But as he turned to check where Catherine had gone, his chest sank—she was gone. The alley was empty.
"Cate?" he called out
Darkness. Nothing but shadows and silence.She'd vanished.Catherine didn't stop running. She collapsed behind a dumpster two blocks downLiam saved me. The thought repeated in her head like a whisper. She pressed a hand to her mouth to quiet the sob rising in her throat.
"what if he got hurt because of her?"Another thought ran through her mind has she stated sobbing.
Back in the alley, Liam slammed his truck door shut and punched the steering wheel. Gregor had vanished into the night, bleeding but not beaten, and now Catherine had slipped through his fingers again. He leaned his head against the wheel.
"Where are you, Cate?" he muttered
He reached out to his phone, trying to call her. It wasn't reachable. Liam stayed in his truck for hours. He had searched the surrounding blocks, checked every alley and corner store, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But couldn't find her. Now, parked on the edge of town where the city lights dimmed into a quiet haze, he stared at the empty street ahead, replaying every word she'd said, every look in her eyes.
Gregor stood under a streetlight, one hand pressed against the side of his face where Liam had hit him. Blood still trickled from the corner of his mouth. He leaned against his black car, breathing heavily. His phone was in his other hand, ringing. Finally, the call connected. Ethan's voice came through, low and cold.
"Tell me you have her."
Gregor swallowed hard." I... I don't."
A long pause.
"You what?" Ethan's voice dropped into something dangerous.
"Are you saying... you failed?"
Gregor nervously replied. "She had help. Some guy—he came outta nowhere. Knocked me out with a damn crowbar."
Ethan laughed. But it wasn't amused. It was sharp and bitter.
"A crowbar? You got taken down by some grease monkey with a crowbar?"
Gregor lowered his head. "I wasn't expecting backup. I thought she was alone. I almost had her."
Another long silence.Then Ethan's voice turned cold as ice.
"You were supposed to bring her back. That was the only thing I asked of you. One job, Gregor. One."
Gregor tightened his grip on the phone. "I swear, Ethan, I'll fix this. I'll find her again. I'll do whatever it takes."
Ethan chuckled darkly. "No. You're going to sit still and shut your mouth until I say otherwise."
"But—""Shut up," Ethan snapped.
"I trusted you because you knew how to handle problems. But now? You're my problem."
Gregor froze. Ethan continued, his voice dropping even lower.
"If I ever see your name on a screen again without results, I'll handle you myself. You don't want that."
Gregor's voice cracked. "Understood. I—I'm sorry."
"Keep your mouth shut, stay out of sight, and pray I don't send someone else to clean up your mess."
The line went dead. Gregor lowered the phone slowly, his hands shaking. He knew what that kind of silence meant. He wasn't just dealing with a failed job anymore. Now... he was running out of time.
She was scared. Not just of Gregor. Of something much bigger. And then—there was a knock. Three soft taps on the passenger-side window. Liam's head snapped up.There she was.
Catherine.
Soaked in rain, makeup smudged as a result of the tears and rain, shivering with tears still forming in her eyes. He stepped out with worry written all over his face. He opened the door for her, shutting it behind her without a word.
"Are you okay?" she murmured finally,
Liam's jaw clenched. "Where have you been ? Do you have any idea what kind of night I've had?"
"I do," she said. Then she turned to him fully, her breath trembling as she leaned in closer.
"That's why I came back."
Their faces were inches apart now.
"I'm not who you think I am," she whispered.
"I am….."A loud ring from a cellphone jolted them both..