The air in the mansion was tense. Heaven sat on the bed, staring at the prescription bottle Jayden had handed her earlier. The medication for Michael.
Dylan had kept his word.
But at what cost?
Her fingers tightened around the bottle as she thought about their conversation at dinner. Dylan was using Michael as leverage, controlling her every move.
But she wouldn't be his pawn forever.
A soft groan pulled her attention. She turned to see Michael shifting slightly in his sleep, his small face still pale. Her heart ached as she reached out, brushing a few strands of hair from his forehead.
"I'll protect you," she whispered. "I promise."
She had to find a way out of this nightmare.
---
Meanwhile – Dylan's Counterattack
Dylan stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, his fingers lightly tapping against his whiskey glass. His expression was unreadable, but the sharp glint in his eyes spoke volumes.
"Richard thinks he can take from me and walk away," he muttered.
Jayden stood beside him, arms crossed. "He's getting bold. This wasn't just a warning shot. He's trying to cripple you."
Dylan smirked. "Let him try."
He turned away from the window and picked up a tablet, swiping through live security footage. "Where's our special delivery?"
Jayden checked his watch. "It should be arriving now."
As if on cue, an alert popped up on the screen. A warehouse. Men in black, tied up, kneeling before Dylan's men.
Richard's men.
Dylan's smirk widened. "Time to remind my dear brother who the real king is."
He grabbed his coat and walked out, Jayden following closely behind.
---
The Warehouse – A Message for Richard
The stench of sweat and fear filled the air. The captured men trembled as Dylan's boots echoed through the warehouse.
He stopped in front of them, crouching slightly. "You work for my brother?"
None of them spoke.
Dylan chuckled. "Loyal. I respect that."
Then, without warning, he pulled out a gun and shot one of them in the leg.
The man screamed, falling forward.
The others flinched, their courage crumbling.
Dylan stood up, his gaze icy. "Tell Richard he took from me. Now, I'm taking from him."
He handed Jayden his gun and turned to leave. "Kill them all."
The sound of gunfire followed him out.
---
Back at the Mansion – Heaven's Realization
Heaven jolted awake, her heart pounding. She had fallen asleep beside Michael, but something felt… wrong.
A strange tension filled the air.
She carefully slipped out of bed and crept toward the window.
A row of black cars pulled into the driveway.
Dylan had returned.
She watched as he stepped out, his face cold, his suit stained with something dark.
Her stomach twisted.
She already knew what it was.
Blood.
Dylan Martin had just declared war.
And Heaven realized something terrifying.
She wasn't just trapped in his world.
She was drowning in it.