MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Rescue and confusion.

(JARED'S POV)

The engine of my car hummed, my heart churning with dread. I was leaving the city, its bustling ambience now gradually swallowed by the deserted path that led to the warehouse.

As I drew nearer, my grip on the steering wheel tightened. This whole thing still didn't feel right. Some key questions were not answered. But I had no time to dig that deeper, not when it was sure that Maverick was in Dwayne's hand. Every mile that took me farther from the city felt like a weight dragging me into an abyss.

Maverick. His face flashed through my mind. Even though I haven't had the chance to meet him properly as a father, I could tell he was an adorable child.

And now he was somewhere out there, in Denzel's filthy hands.

Finally, I arrived and brought the car to a halt as I stared at the warehouse. Momentarily, I took in its dilapidated outlook. Broken windows, rusting metal, and crumbling concrete testified to years of neglect.

I tried so hard not to paint a mental picture of Maverick and how frightened he could be, in there alone with that monster. That instant, determination rushed through me, and I grabbed the briefcase.

I was going to hand over the document to Denzel and have my son back, and it would be over. I imagined Arielle's happy and relieved face when I handed the boy safely to her.

With that, I slammed the car door shut and moved quickly toward the entrance of the warehouse. The heavy, rotting door creaked ominously as I pushed it open.

The air inside was thick with the smell of dust, stale wood, and mildew, and I couldn't help but sneeze. The air felt wrong. The dust... the cobwebs... it was a filthy, inhospitable place for a child.

The hallway seemed endless. I tried to calm my racing thoughts, focusing only on my next step. I would get my son back. Denzel would pay for what he'd done.

It was dark-too dark. I squinted, trying to make out any shapes, but the shadows swallowed everything. Just as I was about to reach for my phone, it rang.

"I see you're here," Denzel's cool, jeering voice filtered in. "Walk through the door and take your left turn."

"Bastard!" I cussed, when he dropped the call.

I slid the phone back into my pocket and took the first step into the hallway. The building seemed to close in around me, the air heavy, thick with tension.

I could barely see the hall in front of me, but I pressed forward, my eyes scanning the shadows, every fiber of my being on alert. My shoes crunched against the old floorboards, and with every step, my anger and fear mounted.

How could Denzel bring a child here? What if the child was allergic to dust or caught a flu from the unconducive environment?

He's going to regret ever trying to get down with me in this way.

I had just reached the end when a light flickered on, suddenly illuminating the room.

And then I saw them; Denzel and Maverick. I felt my face drained of color until it felt bone white by the sight before me.

Maverick was seated on a stool, looking frightened, his mouth covered with a tape. But that wasn't what had my stomach leaping to my mouth.

It was the knife.

The hunting knife.

The gleaming steel was pressed inches away from my son's throat.

"You, animal, who treats an innocent child like this?" I hissed, but I forced myself to remain still. One wrong move, and Denzel might end it all.

"Oh, hi, Jared. You're early to the party," Denzel said, a sly grin in his face. And then he turned to Maverick, "Look who we have here, your Daddy. Isn't he an awesome Dad, rushing to rescue you in the face of danger? Well, let's hope he cooperates so you can be allowed to go with him."

Maverick recoiled, he seemed really scared of Denzel. The sight broke my heart, and almost drew tears to my eyes. Poor boy, he didn't deserve any of it.

"Maverick," I called soothingly, trying to take a step, "It's okay, son. I'm here."

But before I could move, Denzel raised a hand.

"Ah-ah. Not so fast," he warned, his grip tightening on the knife, bringing it closer to Maverick's throat. "First, the document."

My heart sank, my eyes fixed on Maverick's frightened face.

"Denzel," I whispered, "let him go first, and I'll hand you the document. Look, I have it in here," I said, tapping on the briefcase.

Denzel chuckled, shaking his head. "This is my game, Jared, you don't get to call the shots. Business first, sentiments later. Hand me the briefcase, and I'll let the kid go."

I nodded and opened the briefcase, praying Denzel kept to his own bargain. With all he has done, I know he's not one to be trusted, but I have no option but to take my chance and hope nothing goes wrong.

I took out the document finally, and took a step forward, but something stopped me.

Something flickered in the corner of my eye.

A shadow.

Behind Denzel, from one of the broken windows, a figure in all black with its face hidden in a mask had slipped in.

I was going to give a reaction, but the figure was quick to give me a sign to shut up with a finger to its lips.

Was this an ally? A foe A friend?

I didn't know, but I had no choice but to trust the figure for now.

I took a step forward again, intentionally dragging my feet while giving the figure ample time to close in on Denzel.

And then, in one swift motion, the figure struck. A brutal blow to Denzel's skull with the butt of a gun.

Denzel gasped in shock and pain as he doubled over and lost balance, the knife slipping off. I was on him in an instant, kicking the weapon away, far out of his reach.

Before Denzel could even process what was happening, two more figures appeared, moving swiftly, expertly, their presence overwhelming.

My mind was racing. All exits of this

building were sealed, so they could only enter through the main entrance, or....jump in through that eight-meter-high window? I raised my eyebrows. en Ebookex

Who were these people? And why were they here?

I didn't have time to wonder for long. My concern was Maverick. He seemed even more frightened.

I rushed to him, but before I could reach him, one of the masked figures stepped in my way, holding out a hand. I could barely recognize its a woman.

"We'll take him," the grave voice said.

I froze. What the hell was going on?

"What do you mean? I'm his father!" I countered.

"Sorry, we were asked to return him to his mother. And I'd advice you don't try to stop us," she said the last words in a menacing tone.

"Did Arielle send you?" My pulse quickened.

"We don't know who bears that

name, but the order we got was to rescue the boy and hand him over his mother safely. Now if you'll excuse us, we have to go and

accomplish the last part of our

mission," the woman said and lifted

Maverick.

"Wait!" I stepped forward, my chest tightening with panic. "How do I know you're not just taking him to someone else?"

"Call his mama in an hour and you'll replace out," and without another word, the woman left, leaving me stunned.

What the hell just happened? Who were those people and who sent them if it was not Arielle? I was still lost in thought when I heard a moan behind me.

It was Denzel, trying to get to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth to stain his crisp shirt.

"My grandpa... won't forgive you...," Denzel spat, trying to push himself up.

I almost forgot about him.

I sighed, snapping my fingers sharply. Within moments, the room flooded with well-trained men, the sound of boots hitting the floor.

"You thought I would come here alone and let you do whatever you wanted to me, huh?" I sneered. "Denzel, you've wasted your life. And so has your old man."

I turned away from him and shook my head. "Deal with him. Beat him within an inch of his life, but leave him breathing."

"You...you bastard!" He snarled. "You think you can fool me with that little show of yours? I know you sent those wild dogs," he paused, coughing violently.

His words just incited my doubts again. Who are those men in black apart from the people I arranged?

I narrowed my eyes, "What do you know, Denzel?"

"Stop pretending. I know you're tied to the Italian Mafia!"

Italian Mafia?

"I know the kind of people you work with. It's taboo in our circle, Jared. You think you've outsmarted me? You'll never get away with this...." he smirked through the blood, his voice bearing so much hate and accusation, "You've made.

deal

with the devil."

I stood frozen. What the hell was he talking about?