CHAPTER 85

Philip’s heart pounded in his chest as he and Jessica found themselves cornered by Andrew Lane in the dimly lit alley. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, but he refused to let fear take control. Jessica stood behind him, her hand gripping his tightly, a silent plea for protection.

“Philip, this isn’t a game you can win,” Lane said, his voice cold and calculated. “You’re out of your depth. Just hand her over, and we can end this without unnecessary drama.”

Philip’s jaw tightened, his mind racing for a way out. He knew they couldn’t just give in. He had promised to protect Jessica, and he wasn’t going to back down now. “I’m not handing her over to you, Lane. You’ve crossed too many lines already.”

Lane’s expression hardened, and he took a step closer. “You’re making a mistake, Philip. I’m giving you a chance to walk away from this. Don’t make me take drastic measures.”

Philip glanced around, searching for any possible escape route. They were trapped in a narrow alley with