101Ethan’s voice trembled as he pressed Derek again. "What have you done?"Derek’s lips curled into a cold smile as he leaned back in his chair, his voice unnervingly calm. "Nothing you need to worry about.""Come on, Derek. I know you. That laugh wasn’t normal." Ethan’s voice grew tense. "You’re in deep, aren’t you? You didn’t get involved with someone dangerous, did you?"Derek’s eyes flashed, his tone dropping low. "Let’s just say Allvar won’t be walking around so smug for a while."Ethan’s heart sank. "What does that mean? What did you do?""Allvar got what was coming to him. Every punch was well-deserved," Derek growled, his jaw tightening as he imagined the thug’s fists smashing into Allvar’s face. The memory made him smile again, dark and twisted."Derek, this could backfire! You don’t know who you’re dealing with. These people—" Ethan’s voice was frantic now, barely able to hide his fear."I’ve got it under control," Derek interrupted, brushing him off. "Allvar’s finally payi

103Derek swallowed hard, his eyes flicking between the men surrounding him, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "I already paid you," he snapped, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "This wasn’t part of the deal!"Hawk took a deliberate step closer, his face a mask of irritation as his men tightened the circle around Derek, a mix of smirks and scowls on their faces. “Really?” Hawk’s voice was a low growl. “Because I don’t remember you mentioning that Allvar was some sort of MMA fighter or whatever he’s turned into.”Derek’s fists clenched, a tremor running through his hands as he struggled to keep calm. "I didn’t know," he muttered defensively, though he could hear how feeble his own words sounded. "I thought he was just a—""A smug little bastard?” the thug with a scar down his cheek interjected with a mocking sneer. “Yeah, we got that part. But you forgot to mention he could snap bones like twigs. We weren’t exactly prepared for a fight."“I didn’t know he could fig

105“Please, Hawk!” Derek’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Just—just a few more hours. I can get the money. I swear.”Hawk tilted his head, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “See, Derek, the thing about promises is… they don’t mean a thing to me anymore.” He looked over his shoulder at his men, who were waiting, fists already clenched. “Time for you to learn what happens when you mess with me.”“No, wait!” Derek pleaded, but Hawk snapped his fingers.A fist drove hard into Derek’s stomach before he could say another word. He doubled over, gasping, barely managing to raise his head before another blow cracked against his jaw, sending him staggering. His knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground, vision swimming.“Still think you can get it tomorrow?” Hawk taunted, crossing his arms as he watched Derek struggle to stand. “Or would you rather make it right now?”Derek held up his hands in a shaky surrender. “Alright! Alright, I’ll get it,” he wheezed, pain searing through his ribs

107Derek’s phone, tucked away in his pocket, rang once again. The sudden sound caught him off guard, and before anyone could stop him, he swiftly pulled it out and answered. His heart was already pounding, but the tension in the air multiplied as he heard Ethan’s urgent voice on the other end.“Derek, I just tracked your location through the phone. Do you realize where you are? This place is crawling with Hawk’s men. I’m sending someone—”“No, Ethan!” Derek hissed, his voice a panicked whisper. “If you send anyone, Hawk’s guys will—”But he didn’t even finish before the unmistakable sound of screeching tires filled the warehouse, freezing everyone in place. Derek’s stomach dropped. He could only watch, dread building, as two black SUVs rolled up outside, their headlights casting an intense glow through the dusty windows. His mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. Hawk’s rivals? The police? Or something even more dangerous?Hawk’s expression darkened, twisting wi

109As Derek and Grayson stepped into the grand foyer of the estate, the towering silhouette of Victor Hawthorne loomed at the top of the staircase, his gaze piercing. His jaw clenched in visible anger, and the sound of his shoes echoed as he descended each step."Derek," Victor's voice was a low, furious growl. "What were you thinking?" He stopped inches away, eyes cold and unforgiving. "After I specifically warned you."Derek shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet his father’s gaze. "Dad, I—"Before he could finish, Victor’s hand swung across his face, the slap echoing through the hall. The impact sent Derek stumbling back, pain flaring in his already bruised cheek as he crashed against the marble floor. His injured leg throbbed, and his arm pulsed with agony.Victor didn’t flinch, watching his son crumple to the ground with a look of disgust. "Look at you," he sneered. "Injured and pathetic. How do you think you’re going to show up at the party this weekend like this?"Derek struggl