7: Peril at Every Turn
Volume Summary: During the rescue of Isabella, Jack uncovers a deeper conspiracy behind Richard. He realizes that what he faces is not just personal revenge, but a far more dangerous power struggle. He must proceed with caution to protect himself and those close to him.
Chapter 8: Peril at Every Turn
Inside the rundown Brooklyn apartment, Jack sat with a furrowed brow. Isabella leaned against the couch, her face pale—even under the dim lighting, it was clear she hadn't fully recovered. Emily's phone call had shattered whatever hope they had left, like a bucket of ice water poured over their plans.
"Kevin… that sly old fox!" Jack muttered through clenched teeth, slamming his fist onto the table with a dull thud. Their once-carefully crafted plan now resembled a torn net—full of holes and on the verge of collapse.
Isabella pressed a hand to her chest, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "This isn't the time to blame ourselves, Jack. Emily risked everything to warn us. We have to act fast."
Jack nodded. He knew she was right. Time was running out.
"If Richard knows our plan, he'll stop at nothing to hunt us down," Jack said, rising from his seat and walking toward the small window. He cracked it open slightly, scanning the street below. The night-draped Brooklyn looked peaceful, but beneath its surface, danger was brewing. "We can't stay here any longer. This place isn't safe anymore."
"Where do we go?" Isabella asked. She knew she was slowing him down in her current state, but she had to pull herself together. She had to fight beside him.
Jack fell silent for a moment, mentally going through every person and place he could possibly turn to. Old John had made it clear he wouldn't get involved again. Emily was already compromised. That left only one name…
"Donny," Jack finally said. "The mob lawyer. He may be slippery, but at least for now, he's still on our side. And his connections might help us find a safe hideout."
Isabella nodded. Donny was their only option.
Jack immediately dialed Donny's number. It rang a few times before the line picked up.
"Jack? What, did you miss me?" Donny's voice came through with its usual sarcastic charm.
"No time for jokes, Donny," Jack said seriously. "We've been exposed. We need your help."
There was a pause before Donny responded, "Exposed, huh? Sounds like you two are playing a dangerous game. Alright, give me your location. I'll send someone to pick you up. But this won't come cheap."
"Money's not an issue—as long as you guarantee our safety," Jack replied.
"Deal," Donny agreed without hesitation.
As soon as the call ended, Jack began packing. They didn't have much to take—just some cash and a few changes of clothes.
"Isabella, can you walk?" Jack asked, concern evident in his eyes as he looked at her weakened state.
"I'm fine," Isabella said, standing up and taking his hand. "I can manage."
Just as they were about to leave, the door to the apartment burst open.
Several men in black stormed in, guns drawn, eyes locked coldly on Jack and Isabella.
"Don't move!" one of them barked. "Mr. Richard wants to see you!"
Jack's heart dropped. Richard's men had found them—faster than he'd feared.
"You've got the wrong place," Jack tried to remain calm. "We're just ordinary citizens."
"Cut the crap!" One of the men grabbed Jack by the collar and yanked him up. "You're coming with us!"
Before the man could drag Jack away, Isabella suddenly lunged forward and kicked him hard between the legs.
"Agh!" The man let out a scream and crumpled to the floor.
"Run!" Isabella shouted.
Jack snapped into action, grabbing her hand and bolting toward the exit.
The men opened fire immediately.
Bullets whizzed past them as they sprinted down the narrow hallway. Gunfire echoed off the walls, sending shards of plaster flying.
They were in grave danger.
Jack knew if they kept running blindly, they would eventually be caught. He needed a way to shake off their pursuers.
Suddenly, he stopped, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a grenade. With one swift motion, he tossed it behind them.
"Boom!"
The explosion rocked the hallway, filling it with thick smoke and debris. The attackers were thrown off their feet, stunned and temporarily disabled.
Jack seized the moment, pulling Isabella out of the building and vanishing into the dark night.
They fled to an abandoned warehouse district in Brooklyn. Rusted shipping containers and derelict vehicles littered the area—an ideal hiding spot for evading pursuit.
"We're safe—for now," Jack gasped, though he knew this reprieve wouldn't last. Richard wouldn't let them escape so easily.
"What do we do next?" Isabella asked.
Jack looked into her tired eyes and felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He knew he had dragged her into a world of danger.
"We find Donny's people and get out of here," Jack said firmly. "Once we leave New York, Richard won't be able to touch us."
But just as they prepared to leave the warehouse, a group of men in black appeared out of nowhere, surrounding them completely.
"You're not going anywhere," one of them sneered. "Mr. Richard wants you alive."
Jack's stomach dropped.
Danger had struck again. Could they escape this time?
And this was only the beginning of Richard's carefully laid trap. A far greater scheme was already unfolding in the shadows.
What lay ahead would be far worse than either of them could imagine.