The estate had regained its composure, the aftermath of their struggles becoming a distant echo.As Helen and Davin stood on the balcony, taking in the view, the quiet seemed to shift. The relief from their recent battle had introduced a new kind of tension, one that was almost more insidious than the threats they had faced before.“It feels strange to be back to normal,” Helen remarked, her gaze focused on the horizon.“Normal is a relative term,” Davin replied, squeezing her hand gently. “I think we’re both still trying to adjust.”Just then, the doorbell rang, slicing through the calm evening. Davin glanced at Helen with a raised eyebrow. “I wasn’t expecting anyone.”“I’ll get it,” Helen said, stepping inside.The foyer was awash with the soft light of the chandelier as Helen opened the door. Standing there was a young woman in a sharp business suit, holding a briefcase. Her expression was cool and composed.“Ms. Helen Alden?” the woman asked, her tone professional.“Yes, that’s me
As Helen and Davin crouched behind a stack of crates in the dimly lit warehouse, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Their small team of trusted partners, two security experts and an intelligence analyst, were strategically positioned around the perimeter, ready to act if necessary. The meeting inside was supposed to be the key.They had hoped for a breakthrough, but the sudden commotion that erupted was far from what they had anticipated.The sound of heavy footsteps and muffled voices grew louder, and Helen's eyes darted toward Davin. He looked equally confused and alert. They exchanged a quick glance, silently communicating their concern. Suddenly, the door to the warehouse burst open, and a group of masked men stormed in. They were armed and moved in a way that suggested they knew exactly where they were going.The others began to roust the assembled figures in the meeting room, their guns drawn and voices commanding.“Stay low, babe.” Davin whispered to Helen, as they both p
The warehouse was a now filled with chaos, its interior now pierced by the flashing strobe of gunfire and the sharp, jarring shouts of combatants. Helen, crouched behind the crates with Davin, could barely make out the scuffle as the masked men wrestled to secure the documents and fend off the authorities closing in. The scene was surreal. Richard Collins, who moments before seemed a confident orchestrator, now appeared more desperate and frantic. Helen's heart pounded, not just from the immediate danger but from the realization of the gravity of their situation. Richard's arrival, the documents, and the involvement of their former security team member, Damien, all converged into a disturbing narrative of betrayal and high stakes.“Damien? Here? What the hell is going on?” Helen muttered under her breath, her eyes locked onto the man they had once trusted.“Doesn't matter right now,” Davin replied, his eyes scanning the room. “We need to get you to safety and take out as many of thes
Helen and Davin hurried towards their car, the tension from the fight still surging through their veins. The darkened streets outside seemed almost peaceful compared to the chaos they had just left behind. Helen's heart was pounding. As they approached the car, Helen glanced back towards the warehouse. The flashing lights and the distant sound of sirens reminded her just how close they had come to disaster. She turned to Davin, “We need to get out of here and go over these documents, babe.”Davin nodded, his face set in grim resolve. He hurried into the car, and they sped off, the tires screeching as they left Locks Crescent. The drive home was tense, the silence in the car heavy with the weight of what they had just endured.But their brief moment was shattered as they turned onto their street. Davin’s eyes widened in shock. “No way… what's she doing at my gate?" he muttered under his breath.Helen followed his gaze and saw Lyra standing at the gate, her hands resting on her wais
“Did you hear that, babe?” Helen asked, her voice low and tense. Davin’s expression shifted from casual contentment to one of concern as he looked toward the gate.“Yeah, I heard it,” Davin replied, setting his glass down and standing up. His demeanor had shifted, the relaxed posture replaced by a readiness that suggested he was bracing for another confrontation. “It sounds like someone’s trying to get in.”Helen’s thoughts raced. The previous night’s chaos still loomed heavily in her mind, and the last thing they needed was another interruption. The calm they had found was quickly being overshadowed by an unsettling sense of deja vu.“I’ll check it out,” Davin said. “You stay here and keep an eye on the documents. I don’t want to leave anything to chance.”Helen nodded, her eyes betraying a mix of anxiety and respect for Helen’s resolve. “Be careful.”Davin made his way through the house, his steps cautious. The noise grew louder as he approached the gate, a series of urgent thuds ac
Helen’s mind swirled with panic and desperation as she raced back outside. She had to find someone, anyone, who could help Davin. Her breaths were uneven, her heart pounding in her chest like a war drum.She dashed through the backyard, her eyes darting around for any sign of the attackers or potential rescuers. The street was now eerily silent, the red salon car and its men gone without a trace. Helen's heart sank as she spotted the figure of her husband lying motionless on the ground.“Oh no, Davin!” she cried out, her voice trembling. She stumbled to his side, the sight of him bleeding and still sent a chill down her spine. Blood was pooling around his head and mouth, his breathing shallow and uneven.Helen knelt beside him, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she touched his face. The warmth was fading, and panic surged through her veins. She tried to apply pressure to his head wound with her coat, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.“Help! Somebody, please!” Helen’s voice w
Helen sat in the sterile, bright waiting area of the hospital, her mind a jumble of worry and fear. The fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, casting an unnatural pallor over everything. Her hands gripped a small, worn-out clutch she had managed to keep with her, though it now felt like a lifeline to a world that seemed distant and unrecognizable.Time dragged on, each tick of the clock on the wall amplifying her anxiety. Nurses and doctors moved in and out, their faces a mix of professional detachment and concealed empathy. Helen's gaze darted to every new arrival, hoping for any sign, any news about Davin. The seconds felt like minutes, and minutes like hours.Her thoughts drifted back to the harrowing moments before the ambulance arrived. Davin’s condition had been dire, his breathing ragged and his face pale against the darkened backdrop of the street. The young woman who had helped her, though a stranger, had been a beacon of hope. Helen had caught her name Laura as she answere
Helen stretched as best she could in the stiff, uncomfortable waiting room chair, feeling the morning light warm her face. Her thoughts were a blend of fatigue and apprehension; the previous night's vigil had drained her both physically and emotionally. Laura stirred beside her, blinking groggily in the daylight."Good morning," Laura said softly, stretching as well."Good morning," Helen replied, managing a tired smile. "I hope you slept a little better than I did."Laura nodded. "I did get a few hours. It was hard, though. How are you holding up?"Helen sighed. "I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s difficult. I’m just so anxious about Davin. I keep replaying the events of last night in my mind."Laura nodded sympathetically. "It’s completely understandable. It must be incredibly hard to wait like this. Do you need anything? Maybe some coffee or something to eat?"Helen shook her head. "No, thank you. I’m not sure I could keep anything down right now. But I appreciate the offer."La