"You and your girlfriend Sarah put me and my family in a bad spot, Ant," Alexander spat, his voice thick with accusation. His hands hovered above his shoulders, palms open, a gesture that seemed defensive yet held an underlying menace. The gun, held inverted in his grip, pointed toward the floor, a stark symbol of the power he now wielded.
"Thanks to using you and your talents, we're back on top," Alexander sneered, a smug grin twisting his features. The words felt like a final, cruel twist of the knife, leaving Anthony reeling, betrayal coating his tongue. The air crackled with tension, thick and suffocating.
"I want to express my gratitude, Anthony, for taking care of *our* children," he continued, his voice laced with chilling politeness, each word dripping with sarcasm. The room fell silent, heavy with unspoken malice.
Hot tears welled in Anthony's eyes, blurring his vision. "To hell with you, Alexander," he managed, his voice choked with emotion.
Alexander's sneer deepened, his lip curling in disdain as he crossed his arms, a slow, deliberate movement. "Bold words from a man who's about to become a dead man."
Anthony's voice trembled, punctuated by ragged sniffles. His eyes darted nervously toward Alexander, who sat casually in the corner, gun resting on his lap, a dark reminder of the danger. Alexander's gaze pinned him in place, intense and unwavering.
"Alexander, please, may I have my phone call… to Xavier?" Anthony pleaded, his voice weak and desperate. Before he could finish, rough hands yanked him forward, forcing him to his knees. The hard tile dug into his kneecaps, a sharp jolt of pain shooting through him. Confusion and fear warred in his eyes as he searched for answers.
"I know you're not fooling anyone, Anthony. I've seen the cues in your body language, the coded dialogue. I was *watching*," Alexander revealed, his voice a low, menacing purr. Memories of manipulation flashed through Anthony's mind—carefully crafted lies and feigned concern, all designed to draw him in.
Sarah, Anthony's girlfriend, had felt a knot of unease in her stomach, a prickling sense of foreboding. She warned him against meeting his ex, her voice laced with concern. If he truly loved her and their son, he would listen. But she refused to force his hand, recognizing the stubborn set of his jaw. The metallic taste of fear lingered on her tongue, a constant reminder of the lurking danger.
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