The alley was eerily quiet, save for the distant hum of the city. Raymond stood a few feet away, his gun pointed squarely at Sam's chest. His dark eyes reflected the dim streetlight above them, betraying none of the emotions swirling in Sam's mind. She was caught between anger, confusion, and fear.
"What the hell is this, Raymond?" Sam's voice cracked with a mix of fury and disbelief. "You're pointing a gun at me now?"
Raymond's hand didn't waver. I told you not to dig. But you wouldn't listen. You never listen, Sam.
"How?? When? Talk to me Mr man, you are getting me confused. Sam's voice cut between confusion and anger.
Raymond stood still with the gun still pointed at Sam.
Sam took a small step back, raising her hands slightly. So what? You're just going to shoot me?
Raymond sighed, lowering the gun slightly but keeping a tight grip. You don't get it, do you? This isn't about you and me anymore. This is bigger than that. You need to stop.
"Stop?" Sam's eyes narrowed. Stop looking for Lily? After everything? What kind of father are you?
Raymond flinched at her words, but he recovered quickly. His face was tense, a mix of exhaustion and determination. "You think I don't care about my daughter? You think I haven't been doing everything I can to save her?
Sam crossed her arms, keeping her distance. Why the theatrics, huh? Why bring the case to my doorstep if all of this was just a lie? From where I'm standing, it looks like you've been playing me this whole time. Who are you even, Raymond?
There was a long pause before Raymond spoke again. "I'm not who you think I am."
Sam's heart pounded in her chest. She'd known there was something off about Raymond ever since they'd met, but this was beyond what she had imagined.
"What does that mean?" Sam demanded.
Raymond hesitated, glancing down at the gun in his hand before holstering it. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly torn about what to reveal. Finally, he took a deep breath. I'm an undercover cop. I've been working inside the syndicate for years now.
Sam stared at him, processing his words. Undercover? For years? Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of it. And you never thought of telling me? You let me think we were in this together!
"We are," Raymond said, his voice strained. But there are things you don't understand. Things that are out of my control.
"Like what?" Sam snapped. "Like using your daughter as bait?"
Raymond's face darkened. Lily... she's not just caught up in some small-time operation. She's a pawn in something much bigger.
Sam shook her head, her voice full of disbelief. Bigger than this? What could possibly be worse?
Raymond's face darkened as he spoke. This isn't just some small-time operation, Sam. It's a massive network, controlling everything from shady deals to influencing powerful people. Lily's disappearance is tied to something much bigger than we thought. The people involved… they don't care who they step on to get what they want.
"So, what are you saying?" Sam asked, her voice dropping. That we just give up? That we let them get away with it?
Raymond took a step closer, lowering his voice. I'm saying that if you keep digging, you're going to get yourself killed. They already know who you are, Sam. They have eyes everywhere.
Sam clenched her fists, frustration boiling beneath her skin. I can't just walk away from this. I won't."
"You don't have a choice," Raymond said, his tone sharp. This isn't about pride, or revenge, or being the hero. This is about staying alive long enough to make a real difference. And right now, you're a target.
Sam swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over her like a dark cloud. She didn't trust him, not entirely, but a part of her knew he was right. She had been reckless, diving headfirst into this without fully understanding the scope of what she was up against.
"I need to know everything," Sam said, her voice firm. No more lies. No more half-truths. If I'm going to back off, I need to know why.
Raymond nodded, though his expression remained guarded. You'll know everything... when the time is right. But for now, you need to trust me. Stay out of sight, stay quiet, and let me handle it.
"How did you even get involved in all this?"
sam asked
Raymond stood, frustration clear on his face. I didn't have a choice, Sam. My hands were tied.
Sam shot back, her voice sharp with anger. "No choice? You lied about everything, Raymond. How am I supposed to believe anything you say now?
He stepped closer, lowering his voice but keeping the urgency. Because if you don't trust me, we'll both be dead by morning.
Sam's jaw tightened. Trusting Raymond was the last thing she wanted to do, but she wasn't in a position to argue. Not yet. She needed more information, more leverage before making her next move.
"Fine," she muttered. But if you're lying to me again, I swear
"I'm not," Raymond cut in. I'm trying to protect you. They've got informants in the police department, Sam. Every step you take, they'll know. Every move you make, they'll be watching. You're already a target.
Sam didn't respond. She couldn't. She turned away from him, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Her instincts told her not to trust Raymond, but she also knew she couldn't go back into the fight without a better understanding of what she was up against.
As she walked away from him, the night swallowed her, leaving Raymond standing in the shadows. He watched her go, a mixture of regret and determination etched into his features.
Sam's apartment felt different when she finally made it back, more suffocating, like the walls were closing in on her. She collapsed onto the couch, her phone clutched tightly in her hand as she replayed Raymond's words over and over in her mind.
Who the hell could she trust now?
Her phone buzzed in her hand, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked down, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the unknown number on the screen. Cautiously, she swiped the message open.
Her blood ran cold.
It was a picture of Lily.
Tied up, her face pale and streaked with dirt, her eyes wide with fear.
And beneath the photo, in bold, ominous letters, were the words:
"You're next."
Her stomach churned. Every instinct screamed at her to run, leave this man and his lies behind. But the image of Lily's face kept flashing in her mind, pulling her back in. Could she afford to trust Raymond after everything? Or was she walking right into a trap?