Chapter 4 - The Widow Was Kidnapped Before Sunrise—And Damian Finally Revealed Why He Had Promised Her Husband He Would Die for HerThe attack came before dawn.
The power failed.
The generator stopped.
The darkness lasted three seconds.
Then Evelyn heard the back door open.
A hand covered her mouth.
She kicked.
Bit.
Screamed.
Someone dragged her through the kitchen.
She saw Damian turning.
His expression became pure terror.
“EVELYN!”
The word echoed through the diner.
A vehicle sped away.
Damian ran outside.
Too late.
Snow swallowed the tire tracks.
Vincent reached him.
“Boss.”
Damian's breathing was ragged.
“Find her.”
“We don't know where—”
“Find her!”
Every man in the diner froze.
Damian had screamed.
That frightened them more than anything.
He turned.
“Lock down every road.”
Marcus nodded.
“Already doing it.”
Damian stared at Evelyn's abandoned coat.
His hands shook.
He closed his eyes.
For the first time in twenty years, Damian Vale looked helpless.
Then Vincent approached.
“I'll bring her back.”
Damian grabbed him by the collar.
“You bring me whoever touched her.”
Vincent nodded.
“And if they hurt her?”
Damian's eyes went empty.
“Then nobody they love survives.”
Meanwhile, Evelyn woke inside an abandoned hunting lodge.
Her wrists were tied.
Victor Hale stood by the fireplace.
He smiled.
“You look exactly like your husband described.”
Evelyn stared.
“You knew Robert.”
“He knew me.”
“Where is Damian?”
Victor laughed.
“You're worried about him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Evelyn refused to answer.
Victor crouched.
“Your husband left something behind.”
“I don't know what.”
“You're lying.”
“No.”
He slapped the table beside her.
“Where are the documents?”
“I don't know.”
“Then you'll die not knowing.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“You're scared of Damian.”
Victor's smile faded.
“You don't understand him.”
“I know he scares you.”
“He should.”
“Then why did you take me?”
Victor's expression darkened.
“Because Damian has one weakness.”
Evelyn's stomach tightened.
“You.”
He showed her a photograph.
Damian standing outside the diner.
Watching her.
Years ago.
Evelyn's heart broke.
“He has been protecting you for three years.”
Victor smiled.
“And now I'm going to make him choose.”
Hours later, Damian received the call.
Victor's voice came through.
“You have twenty-four hours.”
“What do you want?”
“The evidence.”
“I don't have it.”
“Then she dies.”
A pause.
Damian closed his eyes.
“Send me a location.”
Victor laughed.
“You'd trade an empire for one woman?”
Damian answered quietly.
“Yes.”
The call ended.
Vincent stared.
“Boss, we can get a team together.”
“No.”
“You can't go alone.”
“I have to.”
“That's suicide.”
Damian looked toward him.
“I made a promise to her husband.”
“What promise?”
Damian's face tightened.
“That if anything happened to him, I would protect her.”
“And?”
“And if keeping her alive cost me my life, I'd pay.”
Vincent stared.
“You're serious.”
“Very.”
Damian walked into the storm.
May you like
Behind him, seventeen armed men followed.
Because when their boss marched toward death for a woman, none of them were willing to let him go alone.
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