John's fists clenched. He knew he couldn't trust a word Taylor said, but he had no choice. He needed to find Sarah, and fast.
Taylor's grin widened as he took a step closer. "Tick tock, John. Time's running out."
John's gaze flickered to the window,his only way out,but the sound of footsteps behind him cut off any chance of escape. He was surrounded, trapped.
-Earlier -
Evelyn Lance stood in her study, her mind racing through the twisted machinations she had set in motion. She had always been the one pulling the strings, orchestrating every move to secure the Lance legacy, and this time would be no different. Her husband's hesitations and moral dilemmas bored her. Peter was weak, always wanting to take the diplomatic route, never understanding that true power required sacrifice. And now, with Sarah and that worthless husband of hers threatening everything, Evelyn had no choice but to escalate.
She paced back and forth as she picked up her phone,so as not to avoid suspection from her husband she dialed Taylor. He answered after the second ring.
"Taylor, listen carefully," she said, her voice steady and cold. "Take a couple of Joker's men and head to John's house. I want him brought here,alive. No unnecessary mess. We need to ensure Sarah sees him in the worst condition possible without killing him. It's time to show her the consequences of her disobedience."
There was a pause on the other end, then Taylor's amused voice came through. "I was wondering when you'd let me play with him. But who's this Joker, anyway? You and dad seem to have a history with him. And why didn't I know you hired someone outside the family for this?"
Evelyn sighed impatiently. Taylor's fascination with violence never ceased to amaze her, but she didn't have time for his endless curiosity. "Joker's a professional, and we needed someone with experience to handle things discreetly. He's done work for us in the past,work your father didn't want to know about. Just do as I say. Get to the house, rough John up a bit, and bring him to me. Sarah needs to see what defiance leads to."
Taylor's tone shifted, his voice tinged with excitement. "I've got it. Anything that involves breaking John's bones is fine by me."
Before Evelyn could respond, Taylor hung up, the line going dead. She placed the phone down on her desk, a slow smile creeping across her face. Everything was moving according to plan. By the time this was over, Sarah would realize she had no choice but to leave John behind and marry Oliver McCarthy. With the family business at stake, Evelyn couldn't afford to let love, or John West, stand in her way.
Then she went to the basement were they had kept Sarah
Back To The Present...
John's fists clenched, his gaze flickering to the three men standing behind Taylor, knowing he was outnumbered. "I won't do anything until I see my wife. If you want me to cooperate, I want proof that she's okay."
Taylor's grin faltered slightly, but he couldn't help but be amused. John, always trying to play the hero, even when he was cornered. "You really think you're in a position to negotiate?"
John's eyes didn't waver. "You want me to come with you? Fine. But I'm not moving a damn inch until I see Sarah."
For a moment, Taylor stared at him, sizing him up. Then, without warning, he threw his head back and laughed. "Alright, West. You want to see your wife? That's fine by me."
John's posture shifted slightly, hopeful that Taylor would agree,but Taylor's grin quickly returned, dark and dangerous.
"But," Taylor continued, his voice lowering, "I have one condition."
Before John could react, Taylor swung his fist into John's stomach with brutal force. The blow knocked the wind out of him, sending him stumbling backward, gasping for air. Taylor didn't hesitate,he followed up with another punch to John's jaw, sending him crashing into the wall.
John's vision blurred, pain exploding in his body as he struggled to remain on his feet. His hands shot up to defend himself, but Taylor was relentless, driving his fists into John's ribs again and again.
"Pick him up," Taylor ordered, his voice sharp as he nodded to Joker's men. They moved swiftly, grabbing John by the arms and forcing him to stand, though his legs were buckling beneath him. Blood trickled down from his mouth, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Taylor smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. He wasn't finished yet.
Another punch, this time to John's stomach, and he doubled over in pain, coughing as he tried to breathe. Taylor grabbed him by the collar, jerking him upright again. "This is just a taste, West," Taylor sneered, leaning in close. "When you see Sarah, you'll wish you'd never married her."
John's mind was a blur of agony, but he forced himself to look Taylor in the eye, refusing to show defeat. "You can beat me… but you'll never take her from me," he spat through gritted teeth.
Taylor's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, his smirk faded into something darker, colder. He grabbed John by the throat, tightening his grip. "We'll see about that."
With one final punch, Taylor sent John crumpling to the ground, his body limp. He stepped back, nodding to Joker's men. "Now we can go," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
The men hoisted John's battered form onto their shoulders, dragging him out of the house as Taylor followed, whistling to himself. The night wasn't over yet, and there was still more fun to be had.