CHAPTER 54: THE TRAP...

Chapter 54: The Trap

Theo wasn’t looking back once as he drove away. He locked his jaw and tried to calm that mess in his mind. Every part of him wanted to turn around, drag Danielle into his arms, and promise he would never leave her again.

But that was a promise he could not keep tonight.

His phone vibrated one more time and a message from the number he wished had stayed dead appeared.

Ethan:

I thought you would be smarter than this. Coming alone?

Theo typed back with one hand, while the motorcycle kept speeding through empty roads.

Theo:

Location. Now.

Three dots appeared.

Then a pinpoint dropped on the map. An abandoned warehouse near the edge of the city.

The same area where everything once changed between them.

Theo felt a rock drowning in his stomach. He knew exactly what this was.

A game Ethan had been preparing for years. A setup. A war he had no time to plan for, but he accelerated anyway.

He stopped outside the warehouse. The sound of the engine cut into the silence. Theo stepped off, calm as ever. He placed his phone into his pocket and walked into the darkness.

The first punch hit him before he even saw their faces.

Knuckles struck his jaw. His body slammed into the concrete. Two more joined.

Fists and boots landing again and again...Theo did not block it or tried to fight them back. He let the pain hit him like memories. If he fought now, they would shoot, and he needed to see Ethan first.

One man grabbed his arms while the other sent a punch straight to his ribs. He grunted and tasted iron in his mouth, but kept himself silent.

Another strike and his bones yelled beneath the blow.

However, Theo didn’t strike back.

That silence made them angrier. They grabbed him by the collar and dragged him deep into the warehouse.

They threw him forward and he fell on his knees. The concrete floor felt like a cold ice block against his skin.

The lights flickered on...-and there was Ethan Hale...standing in front of him like some statue to be admired for, and dressed in a fitted black suit as if he was preparing for a celebration.

In his arms, he casually held a glass of whiskey. He had that smirk... the same one Theo remembered the night everything fell apart.

"You came," Ethan muttered under his breath like he was really pleased with this.

Theo spit blood on the ground, talking in blurry. "Where is he?"

Ethan raised a brow. "Who? Our dear father. Or the little newborn that survived because he was lucky enough not to disappoint?"

Theo clenched his teeth and didn’t say a word.

Ethan strolled closer.

Every step he took felt like a threat wrapped in elegance. "You really thought you could protect her from all of this."

Theo’s head snapped up. "Leave her out of this, Ethan."

"I would," Ethan replied, swirling his drink. "If she was not entertaining."

Theo felt his pulse spike, but he restrained himself from rising. Ethan wanted that....he really wanted a reaction.

Ethan crouched to his level, and his face was too close. "I saw the way you looked at her. You think I care? You think love is something you get to have?"

Theo forced out, "This is not about her."

Ethan smiled slowly. The kind of smile that belonged to a predator. "It is always about her. The girl you would throw everything away for."

Theo’s fists curled behind his back.

"I wonder what she will do," Ethan whispered. "When she learns she was nothing but a lovely mistake."

Theo lunged, but the guards were faster. They struck him across the face again and shoved him back down. His breath trembled as he tried not to roar at the pain.

Ethan stood up and dusted off his suit as if Theo was filth that had touched him.

"You were always slower than me," Ethan said. "Always more emotional."

Theo looked up with loathing in his eyes. "Then why are you scared of me?"

Ethan’s jaw twitched. For a moment, the charming mask cracked. Then he chuckled carefully. "I am not scared of you. I am disappointed."

Theo tried to get up again but another guard stepped on his shoulder, forcing him back down.

Ethan watched with cold amusement. "Always crawling. You were trained to be a weapon. Yet look at you. Suffering for love." He said the word as if it was poison.

Theo struggled to breathe. His ribs hurt and his head pulsed with ringing pain. But none of that mattered compared to the thought of Danielle crying alone.

"I will kill you," Theo promised loudly.

Ethan moved his head. "If I let you."

Theo exploded forward with the last burst of strength he had left, headbutting the guard holding him down. The man stumbled back, yelling. Theo reached his knees before three men were on him again.

This time they slammed him against a steel beam. His eyes looked darker, covered from blood and ruining his sight. One more hit and his eye swelled shut.

He laughed weakly. "Is that all?"

Ethan’s smile vanished.

He stepped closer until his polished shoes were inches from Theo’s knees. He lowered his tone and sounded like a wicked demon.

"You spent your life trying to be better than me. Daddy’s loyal weapon. His perfect little replacement son."

Theo breathed through blood. "Better than you always."

Ethan leaned in and tried to sweeten his tongue. "Then tell me, my dear brother... why did you never question why father kept you instead of me?"

Theo stopped resisting.

He had never dared ask this out loud, but he knew it.

Ethan saw the hesitation and grinned like victory tasted of some candy. "Exactly."

Theo tried to stand. The guards shoved him harder against the beam. His knee hit the floor. One leg collapsed....

Ethan watched the motion with very clear satisfaction.

"When the truth shatters your fragile paradise and strips you of your delusions.. tell me, how does it feel to kneel before me, Theodor?"