Chapter 106
JAKE
When I remember that Lily keeps choosing that bastard over me, it pisses me the fuck off. What else does she want me to show her before she recognizes that that man isn’t good for her and that I am the one who loves her dearly?
Yes, I admit that all of these started off as a game, then to a money making scheme, but then I fell in love. I want her love, I want her heart, I want her attention than whatever Stephanoe and her father has to offer to me.
Walking down the lonely alley with a lit cigeratte hanging loosely on my lips, I nodded to the sound of the music blasting in my car through the headset I have
on.
After a few moments, I became aware of faint shadows trailing behind me, causing me to instinctively halt my steps. With deliberate caution, I removed the hood of my hoodie, revealing my identity, and turned slowly to confront the looming figures behind me. Six intimidating individuals stood before me, their presence casting a foreboding shadow over the dimly lit alley.
Furrowing my brow, I demanded, “What do you want?” It was inconceivable that Agapa would dispatch his henchmen so prematurely; after all, my deadline had not yet elapsed. “Who sent you?” I pressed, searching for any hint of motive behind their presence.
“We’ll reveal our sender once our message has been delivered,” one of them replied, cryptically, a menacing tone underscoring his words. My heart quickened as I watched them brandish the sticks they had concealed, advancing towards me with deliberate intent.
Instinctively, I began to retreat, taking gradual steps backwards before breaking into a desperate sprint. Yet, no matter how swiftly I fled, they pursued me relentlessly. It was as if these men were once contenders in an Olympic race, their athleticism allowing them to close the distance with alarming speed, overtaking me before I could reach the safety of the alley’s end.
The first blow from the stick struck me squarely on the shoulder blade, sending a searing wave of pain rippling through my body, from my back to my brain. Before. I could even process the pain, the onslaught continued, each strike landing with relentless force, leaving me reeling and gasping for breath. The blows came fast
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and furious, denying me even a moment to catch my breath as they pummeled me mercilessly.
With each strike, my body convulsed in agony, the excruciating pain radiating through every fiber of my being. I stumbled to the ground, unable to withstand the onslaught any longer, as they closed in around me like a pack of wolves, their blows raining down upon me without mercy or restraint.
1 surrendered to the pain, allowing it to consume me as I lay helpless on the ground, coughing up blood and feeling the sickening crunch of bones snapping beneath the relentless assault. They seemed driven by some insatiable hunger, as if their reward depended on the ferocity of their attack.
As darkness threatened to envelop me, the barrage of blows finally ceased, leaving me battered and broken, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness. Through the haze of pain and exhaustion, one of them squatted down to me and placed his phone close to my ear. I heard a familiar voice, taunting and triumphant.
“Hello,” the voice sneered, its familiarity sending a chill down my spine. “I see you. received my message.”
“You bastard!” Through gritted teeth, I lashed out at him, my words dripping with defiance despite the agony coursing through my battered body. “What have I done to deserve this brutal assault?” I demanded, each syllable punctuated by a painful. cough as blood trickled from my lips. “Is this your twisted way of warning me to stay away from Lily?”
He scoffed derisively, his laughter a cruel echo in the desolate alley. “You’ve been relentlessly pursuing my woman ever since you learned of her divorce, and I’ve allowed you to carry on with your antics. Do you truly believe I would suddenly decide to intervene now?”
Lily must have confided in him, I surmised silently, my mind racing to
comprehend his motives. “Then what is the meaning of this?” I pressed,
desperation seeping into my voice. “Sending your lackeys to inflict such brutality upon me?”
His chuckle was devoid of remorse, each syllable dripping with malice. “Consider this a warning, Jake,” he sneered. “Perhaps I won’t involve the authorities this time. Perhaps I’ll handle you myself, treating you like the lowlife scum you truly are.”
“F**k you!” I spat at the phone, seething with rage and pain.
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“I’ll make sure to f**k you up if you ever dire to make Lily your target again,” his menacing voice retorted before abruptly terminating the call
My glare pierced through the retreating figures of the men, incredulous at their callousness. “You’re just going to leave me here?” I shouted after them, my voice. echoing in the empty alley. “If you’ve decided to break my legs, at least have the decency to take me to the hospital or drop me off at home!”
“Call 911,” one of them retorted as they climbed into their car and sped away, leaving me alone in the darkness.
Summoning every ounce of strength within me, I struggled to my feet and began the slow journey back home. This wasn’t the first time I’d been subjected to such brutality, and I knew exactly what needed to be done.
Finally reaching the sanctuary of my own room, I retrieved the first aid kit and set about treating my injuries with practiced efficiency. Amidst the stinging pain and throbbing bruises, I reached for my phone and dialed Stephanie’s number.
MStephanie initially ignored my calls, prompting me to persist until she begrudgingly answered.
“You do realize that your deranged husband sent some thugs to beat me up,” I snapped, the frustration evident in my voice.
“He did?” she responded nonchalantly, her tone devoid of concern. “Why are you bothering to call me about it?”
“I’m calling to warn you I hissed, my patience wearing thin. “You know full well what I’m capable of. If you don’t rein him in, I’ll make you a widow faster than you can blink.”
Her response was laced with amusement, her laughter ringing hollow in my ears. “Did you just threaten to murder Ryan?” she chuckled incredulously. “With what resources, Jake?” she taunted. “I’m genuinely curious to know. You can’t even afford a decent meal, let alone a plane ticket to New York. Yet you dare to threaten a man who can effortlessly arrange dinner with the president.”
Her laughter echoed through the receiver, a cruel reminder of my own inadequacies in the face of her husband’s wealth and power.
I held back a bitter chuckle at her dismissive attitude, steeling myself as I laid bare the extent of my capabilities. “The same person you believe incapable of affording
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a proper meal was responsible for having an article published about Lily, resulting in her temporary suspension, as reported by the news,” I retorted. “If I possess the means to orchestrate such actions, then rest assured, I am more than capable of dealing with your husband.”
A tense silence enveloped the line as Stephanie processed the gravity of my threat, her labored breaths betraying her anger. “I dare you, Jake,” she growled defiantly, her voice dripping with venom. “I dare you to lay a finger on Ryan. Let’s see if you live to see another day.”
Despite the searing pain coursing through my battered body, a bitter laugh
escaped my lips, echoing hollowly in the confines of my room. The sound was short–lived, however, quickly replaced by a sharp pang of regret as the movement exacerbated my injuries.
“Your father won’t allow you to harm me, Stephanie,” I countered through
clenched teeth, the defiance evident in my tone. “I hold secrets that could ruin him, evidence that could land him behind bars for life.”
Her response was dismissive. “I call your bluff,” she retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.
But her disbelief mattered little tone; the truth remained unchanged. “I couldn’t care less about what you choose to believe, Stephanie,” I shot back, my resolve unwavering. “As I’ve said, rein in your husband or I will. I refuse to endure a repeat of today’s events ever again.”
I disconnected the call before continuing the firstaid, hoping that if I take a nap after taking pain reliveres, the pain will be lesser by the time I wake up.
