Deth arrived at the Harrison mansion, pulling up in a black Bentley. He parked it in front of the gate, and three of his men, including Max and Dax, stepped out of the vehicle.
A servant hastily informed Mr. Harrison of the unexpected visitors. Grant Harrison emerged from the house, his face stern and alert. Deth, however, was direct and menacing.
"I know you're already aware of the reason I'm here," Deth said, his voice low and even. "Don't make me say it myself. Bring her out."
Mr. Harrison's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "That's quite rude of you, young man. You barge into my house, accusing me of holding someone hostage, without even a greeting. Who is this person you're looking for?"
Deth's gaze turned glacial, his eyes boring into Mr. Harrison's. "If you want me to greet you, I will. But trust me, you wouldn't like my greeting. So, I suggest you bring her out first, and we can do this peacefully. For now."
The air was thick with tension as the two men locked eyes. Mr. Harrison's face darkened, but Deth's patience was wearing thin. With a curt nod, he ordered his men to search the house.
Max, Dax and Jax swiftly moved into the mansion, scouring every room. Helena, watching from the shadows, smiled to herself. She was confident that Remy was safely hidden away in a place no outsider would think to look.
But her triumphant smile faltered as the men returned in less than two minutes, carrying an unconscious Remy, lying limp in their arms. Remy's pale face and frail form sparked a mixture of anger and something more in Deth's eyes.
Helena's eyes widened in shock and even Grant seemed taken aback, his composure faltering for a moment. How were they able to find her?!
Deth's scoffed. "Old man, I thought you said you weren't holding anyone hostage," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "This doesn't look like she's been moving freely in this house for the past few days."
Grant's fury rised, but before he could respond, Deth continued, "Is this how you normally treat people? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're hiding something."
Mr. Harrison's eyes flashed with anger. "She's my daughter, and whatever I do with her has nothing to do with you."
Deth's response was a low, throatless chuckle. "Actually, old man, initially.. it may not, but now? it does! And I'm making it my business. You're smart enough to know not to lay a hand on Remy again. Consider this your warning."
Before Mr. Harrison could react, Deth turned to Max. "Where did you find her?"
Max nodded toward the back of the house. "We found her in a deserted room, along a hallway that led to the backyard. It was like she was being kept prisoner."
Deth's gaze snapped back to Grant. "Perfect! Who kept her there?"
Grant's silence was telling. Deth's eyes narrowed. "I know it was your wife. Don't bother denying it."
With another signal, Deth's men moved to seize Helena, who had been hiding behind a door in one of the guest rooms. "Lock her up in the same room where you found Remy, and Grant? Give me Remy's phone." Deth ordered as he carried Remy in his arms.
As his men dragged Helena away, took a step forward to intervene, but Deth's cold, menacing gaze stopped him in his tracks, and he provided the phone.
The old man's eyes flashed with anger, but he knew better than to push Deth further. For now, he remained silent, seething with resentment.
After carefully lifting Remy into his arms, he turned to leave. As he reached the door, he paused, his back still to Mr. Harrison.
"We have unfinished business, Grant Harrison," Deth said, his voice low and even. "And until I have time to settle those scores with you, don't show up in front of me. I hope you can avoid me. Try as much as you can."
With that parting warning, Deth exited the mansion, followed by Max, Dax, and Jax, who had completed their task. They joined Deth in the car, and together they drove away from the Harrison mansion.
*
*
*
The hospital room was quiet, the only sound being the steady beep of the heart monitor. Remy lay motionless in the bed, surrounded by sterile white walls and the faint scent of disinfectant. A slender tube snaked into her arm, delivering a slow drip of medication.
As the minutes ticked by, Remy's eyelids began to flutter. Her consciousness slowly coming to life, her mind foggy and her body weak. Deth sat in a chair beside her bed, his eyes fixed intently on her face. He was speaking in low tones on his phone, his words indistinct.
Remy's ears perked up as she caught a snippet of conversation. "She's Harrison's daughter, and she can be useful..." The words sent a shiver down her spine.
Deth's gaze snapped toward her, his eyes narrowing slightly. Remy quickly closed her eyes, feigning sleep. But it was too late, Deth had already seen the flicker of awareness in her movements.
He ended his call and rose from his chair to call the nurse.
The nurse hurried into the room, a look of concern on her face. "What's wrong? She's awake?"
Deth nodded toward Remy. "She's waking up. See to it that she's comfortable."
The nurse quickly moved to Remy's bedside, checking her vitals and adjusting the IV drip. Remy lay still, pretending to sleep, as the nurse worked around her. But she was very aware of Deth's gaze on her, his eyes watching her with an unnerving intensity.
The nurse took notes on her chart and said, "She's regaining consciousness, but still needs rest. Her body is weak. You might want to get her some fruits, she should be able to stand in an hour or so."
Deth nodded, his eyes fixed on Remy. The nurse finished her checks and left. Deth remained, watching Remy with an unreadable expression.
"How are you feeling?" Deth asked, his eyes fixed on Remi.
"I'm fine," Remy replied, wincing slightly. She was already busted "I just feel like I've been run over by a truck. And I'm so hungry."
Deth nodded. "Okay, I'll text Dax. He should be here in twenty minutes with some fruits and light food. You don't need anything heavy right now."
Remy's eyes narrowed. "How long have I been here, unconscious?"
Deth shrugged. "Let's say it's getting close to a week now."
Remy's eyes widened in shock. "That long?"
Deth nodded. "You shouldn't have been out that long, but the nurse said you were hit on the head or something. I don't know who did it. Your dad, or your stepmother?"
Remy touched the back of her head, wincing as she felt a swell. "It was my stepmother, Helena."
Deth's expression turned cold. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore."
Remy looked up at Deth with slight loss. "Did you bring me out of there? What happened?"
Deth raised an eyebrow. "What do you think? You ran away without bothering to inform me."
Remy folded her arms accusingly. "Who was it that disappeared after asking me to sleep, and then I get to see on news that you're a very big, big shot."
Deth's eyes flashed with amusement. "If you say it like that, then I guess I'm the one who's guilty."
Remy shrugged. "Good that you know" before her voice dropped. "Thank you for getting me out of that place, Deth. If you didn't come, I don't know how long I would have been trapped there this time around. You're kind."
Deth's gaze lingered on Remi's face before he spoke. "You're welcome, Remy. But I'm not kind."
Remy looked up at him with question in her eyes, and then she remembered what she heard earlier, but Deth just turned away. "Max will be here soon with food. You must be starving."
Remy's stomach growled at the mention of food. "Good cuz I'm freaking hungry. Before I start eating anything available, I'll start with you. How is that?"
Deth looked at Remy, his eyes squinting as if she had just said something impossible and funny. "I dare you."
Remy's eyes sparkled with mischief as she replied, "I also dare you to..."
Deth's eyebrows rose, his interest piqued. "To what?"
Remy's voice turned steady, her words deliberate. "Marry me."
The room fell silent.