"I can guarantee I will bring your mother back safely. Just trust me this once, alright?" Erik was utterly confident. He desperately hoped she would place her faith in him.
Yet, Janelle still shook her head. "I'll go myself." She trusted only herself. Since five years ago, she had lost the ability to trust others. The only one she could rely on was herself.
"Give me the lead."
Erik nodded, understanding she couldn't be swayed. "Then we go together. Think of it as double insurance. What do you think?" He couldn't bear the thought of her going alone, uncertain of the outcome. Most importantly, he feared for her safety.
"Janelle, let him go with you! I'm not comfortable with you going alone. Erik truly has your best interests at heart," Sara pleaded. An extra pair of hands was better than none. If real danger arose, Erik could protect her, couldn't he?
"I'll go with you too," Bryan offered.
"No, you stay here and coordinate," Erik countered. Bryan's injuries weren't fully healed yet. Bryan wanted to argue, but Erik silenced him.
Before they left, Erik handed Janelle a bulletproof vest. "Put this on. If anything happens, stay behind me. Your mother still needs you."
Janelle looked at him, her expression complex.
"Wearing it can't hurt." This was the border. Shootings were commonplace. It was a lawless zone at the intersection of several countries, powerless against the gangs operating here.
"Thank you." Truly, Erik had helped her immensely this time. Janelle quickly put on the vest. Erik donned one too. Both were confident in their skills, but weapons were indiscriminate. In high-stakes situations, caution was paramount.
They changed clothes and emerged. Sara, eyes red-rimmed, waited outside. Helpless, she hugged Janelle tightly.
"Janelle, be careful. Don't get hurt." She desperately wanted to go too but knew she'd only be a liability.
"Mmh, I'm leaving. Don't worry about me. Bryan," Janelle turned to him, "my best friend is in your care. Take good care of her."
Bryan nodded firmly. "Janelle, don't worry. I brought her here; I'll get her back safe and sound."
Without another word, Janelle got into the car. Erik drove, Janelle in the passenger seat.
Her phone rang. Westin.
"Janelle, you should know by now. Your mother is with me."
Janelle remained silent, her eyes icy cold. This man kept plumbing new depths of disgust.
"Regardless, your mother and I were once husband and wife. If you cooperate, I can let you both stay peacefully at the border."
"Westin, you make me sick. Are you so sure I can't touch you?" Janelle's voice was flat.
Westin wasn't fazed. She was the desperate one now. The leverage was theirs; she had to obey.
"Choose: the money, or your mother's life." Self-preservation was supreme; he saw no fault in his actions. "Save your breath. You won't find her." He contacted her directly to eliminate any chance for her.
"The board meeting starts soon. Decide. If you cling to Blue Whale Co., Ltd., then I'll have no choice but to..."
"Westin, being this brazen... do you think I'll never make it back?" They were banking on her not returning, weren't they? That's why they dared threaten her openly.
"Janelle, you lived fine at the border for five years. Why come back? There's nothing left for you in Graham City. Just... stay away." He didn't want her back.
Janelle ended the call. These people could wait. Her only thought was finding Madalyn. Her mother, so timid, must be terrified.
Erik drove, one hand reaching over to cover hers, offering silent comfort. Just then, Bryan called.
"Erik, we found them. She's being held at the Eagle Gang."
If someone was at the border, Erik would find them. The Eagle Gang! Westin had truly dared to mess with the worst. The Eagle Gang was notorious, committing every atrocity imaginable without a shred of conscience. Once entangled, escape was impossible. Westin must be truly desperate to involve such people.
"Understood. Send backup. I'll go in and find her first." Erik had the call on speaker; Janelle heard everything. She'd dealt with the Eagle Gang before. They were ruthless – murder, arson, drug trafficking... utterly without morals.
"Janelle, we need to coordinate," Erik said, knowing her preference for working alone, but the Eagle Gang was no joke.
"Fine. You follow my lead." She was accustomed to taking charge in any operation.
"Deal."
They soon reached the Eagle Gang's compound, both clad in black. Night raids demanded stealth. Erik handed her a gun.
"Protect yourself. I don't want to see you hurt." The Eagle Gang dealt in arms; extracting someone from their clutches wouldn't be simple.
"Erik, thank you," Janelle said solemnly.
Erik gave her a black bag filled with spare magazines. Tonight promised a fierce battle. Prepared, Erik pulled her into an embrace, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Janelle hugged him back briefly. For someone of his standing, storming the Eagle Gang compound was incredibly dangerous. Yet, for her, he did it. Erik remained an enigma.
High walls surrounded the compound. Every few minutes, a twelve-man patrol swept the perimeter. Bryan had sent the compound's layout; Erik shared it with Janelle. Finding their moment, they prepared to scale the over three-meter-high wall. Erik crouched.
"Step up."
Without hesitation, Janelle planted her foot firmly on his shoulder.
"Steady. I'm standing up," Erik warned.
"Mmh."
Erik rose. Standing nearly 190cm tall, Janelle easily grasped the top of the wall as he lifted her. She leapt up lightly, landing on the wall. Flattening herself, she scanned the interior, then seized the right moment to reach down and haul Erik up beside her.
"I'll go down first to catch you," she whispered.
Erik didn't hesitate, dropping the over three meters down. Janelle heard a muffled thud and a grunt of pain. Her heart clenched.