"Are you out of your mind?" Callum's voice rang out, filled with anger and disbelief. He paced across the living room, his steps restless and heavy. Meanwhile, Evangeline sat calmly on the sofa, her fingers flipping through a file, her expression unreadable as she focused on the task ahead.
"I have to save him, Callum," she replied, her voice low but firm. "That's the only reason I came here."
Callum stopped mid-step, turning to look at her with narrowed eyes. "You're telling me you want to walk into Vincent's manor, the most fortified building in the city, and take one of his captives right out from under his nose? How can that possibly sound reasonable to you?"
Evangeline's eyes didn't waver from the file as she slowly placed it down beside her. She knew Callum didn't understand. "I know we don't usually get involved in each other's affairs," she said quietly, her tone softening just slightly, "but Ashley... he's important. Not just to me, but to Angelo too. He's a part of us."
"Ashley?" Callum echoed, frowning. "Why is he worth risking your life for? I don't get it, Eva."
Evangeline let out a slow breath, her fingers tightening slightly around the file. She glanced down, a hint of vulnerability in her gaze. "He was there for us when no one else was, Callum. Back when Angelo and I were barely scraping by... he kept us going. He even shared his food with me when we hadn't eaten for days. He was the only one we had." Her voice softened, tinged with a faint sadness. "Then, one night, he was taken. Just like that, he disappeared. Three years of friendshipâgone in an instant."
Ashley was more than just a friend; he was family. And no matter the danger, she wouldn't let him be lost to Vincent's cruelty.
Callum sighed heavily, dragging a hand through his hair as he took a seat across from her. "I don't get it," he muttered. "I really don't. What were you doing all this time? Why now?"
Evangeline's eyes darkened, her expression hardening slightly. "It took time to find him. Vincent's men are everywhere, and he's been careful about keeping his captives hidden. But I finally tracked Ashley down. I've been patient. I couldn't let him stay in the shadows any longer."
After a tense pause, Callum finally sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. I'll do what I can, but don't expect a miracle. At most, I can keep him away for an hour or two."
"That's all I need," Evangeline replied, her voice steady and relieved. "I'll be in and out before you know it."
True to his word, Callum began to work behind the scenes, pulling strings and manipulating events to keep Vincent busy. He knew his way around the underworld and how to get under Vincent's skin, creating just enough chaos to give Evangeline the time she needed. Meanwhile, Evangeline made her way to Vincent's heavily guarded manor, a knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach, but her determination remained unshaken.
When she arrived at the manor, she wasted no time. Her team moved swiftly, taking out guards with brutal precision and making sure to leave no trace of their presence. As they neared the room where Ashley was held, Evangeline's heart raced. The air inside the manor was thick with tension, the sound of her boots echoing in the long, dimly lit hallways as she approached the door.
When she finally stepped into the room, her breath caught in her throat. The sight of Ashley was like a blow to the chest. There he sat, hunched by a narrow window, his back to her, staring out at the nothingness. His once bright eyesâeyes that had once sparkled with hope even in the darkest of circumstancesâwere now dull, lifeless. His shoulders were slumped, and there was a heaviness to him that spoke of too many nights spent in despair.
"Ashley?" she whispered, stepping forward.
He didn't respond, his eyes fixed vacantly on the window as if he didn't even hear her.
In an attempt to reach him, she tried calling out to him using the nickname she and Angelo used to tease him with.
"Big A... it's me, your little sister."
At that, his head turned ever so slightly, his gaze slowly sharpening as he looked at her. For a moment, recognition flared in his dull eyes. In an instant, he was on his feet, stumbling forward and collapsing into her arms. His grip was tight, desperate, as though he feared she might vanish if he let go.
"I'm sorry I took so long," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "But I'm here now. You're going to be okay."
Ashley didn't say a word; he didn't have to. His shoulders shook as he held onto her, his face buried against her shoulder as he let out a broken sob. Evangeline felt a deep pang of guilt and angerâanger at Vincent for what he'd done, for the hollow look in Ashley's eyes, for every second he had been trapped in this nightmare.
As she held him, Ashley glanced over her shoulder, his eyes settling on a camera in the corner of the room. His body tensed as a new wave of fear washed over him. But he managed to whisper something into it, Noticing his reaction, Evangeline turned, her gaze landing on the camera that was likely feeding a live image to Vincent's security team. She gently pulled back, giving him a reassuring smile.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again," she promised, then reached into her bag and withdrew a small syringe with a sedative. "This will help you rest, okay?"
Ashley didn't resist as she carefully administered the sedative, his trust in her unshakable. He drifted off quickly, his expression softening as the tension left his body. She lowered him gently to the ground, her heart aching as she watched him, so vulnerable, so fragile. She couldn't stay in this hellhole for longâVincent's men would return soon enough. With a deep breath, she moved swiftly to the security camera, her sharp eyes scanning the room before she destroyed it without hesitation.
Once she'd disabled the camera, she carefully lifted Ashley into her arms, holding him close as though the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. It wasn't easy. His body felt too fragile in her arms, but she wasn't about to let him go againânot like this.
She moved silently through the manor, her mind focused only on one thing: getting Ashley out safely. Every step felt like an eternity as she made her way back to the exit, knowing that once they were out, she would protect him with everything she had. She wouldn't let anyone take him from her again.
When they finally emerged into the cool night air, Evangeline looked down at Ashley's unconscious form, her heart swelling with a mix of relief and guilt. She had done it. He was out. However, she knew the journey ahead was far from over.
"I'll make sure you're safe," she whispered her voice steady but filled with an unspoken promise. "I won't let them hurt you again, Ashley. You're going to be okay."
With that, she began the long walk back to safety, determined to see this through to the end.
Sorry for late update!!
collage life is hard to fit into especially when you have terrible roommates
is it just me or everybody else hates their roommates too
anyway, i will be trying my best to update and write the story
how was the book up until now?
what do you want to see the most in the future chapters?
do you think Ashely should forgive Vincent ?
please do vote and comment actively