Serena’s POV
I handed Derek’s phone back to him with trembling fingers, trying desperately to mask the panic coursing through my veins. Every move I made was under his watchful eye, that knife still glinting in the dim light. After weighing my options, I decided Maya was my best chance.
"I’m putting it on speaker," I explained calmly, dialing Maya’s number. "This is my business partner. She can transfer the money faster than anyone else."
Derek’s mouth twisted into an ugly smile as he inched the blade closer to my stomach. The ssage was clear - one wrong word and both my baby and I would pay the price.
Maya answered after two rings. "Serena? Everything okay?"
I kept my voice steady, choosing my words with extre care. "Maya, I need to invest in a project right away. Can you transfer so money to an account I’m about to send you?"
The line went quiet for a mont. I could almost see her furrowed brow.
"This late at night? What kind of project is this? You never ntioned anything about a new investnt."
"Just a small opportunity that ca up," I replied smoothly, feeling Derek’s eyes boring into . "I’ll explain all the details tomorrow. For now, I just need to send the initial paynt."
Maya seed to accept this, her voice relaxing. "Sure, how much do you need?"
I hesitated, calculating. "Five million."
"What?" Maya gasped. "That much for just an initial paynt?"
Derek tensed beside , his eyes narrowing dangerously. He jabbed the knife forward slightly, silently ordering to fix this quickly.
"It’s actually not that much considering what’s at stake," I said, forcing a light laugh. "Trust , what I’m getting in return is worth far more. Please, just transfer it now. I’ll send you the details."
"Okay," Maya finally agreed, her suspicion fading. "Send the account info."
"Maya," I added, my mind racing ahead.
"Yes?"
"Don’t forget about the important client eting tomorrow. I’m... I’m not feeling well, so I’ll be resting at ho for a couple days. Don’t worry about , just handle things at the studio."
I glanced at Derek, noting how his grip on the knife loosened slightly. The coded ssage was subtle, but I prayed Maya would catch that sothing was seriously wrong.
"Sure, take care of yourself," she replied, her tone unchanged.
"Get so rest yourself. I’ve got to go." I hung up quickly before she could ask any more questions that might trigger Derek’s suspicions.
I forwarded the account information Derek had shown to Maya, then turned the phone screen toward him. "Satisfied? I’ll make sure this money is clean so you won’t have trouble using it. Once you let go, I’ll send another paynt as promised."
Derek’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Smart girl. But this isn’t enough."
My stomach dropped. "You’re going back on your word?"
"You’ve given an opportunity I’d be stupid to waste," he said, sliding the knife back into his pocket. "Don’t worry, once I get the money and leave the country, I’ll let you go."
His eyes narrowed. "Just not right now."
The mont Derek opened the car door, I made my move. I wasn’t about to sit there and wait for him to kill after getting his money. I bolted from the car, my pregnant body protesting with every step.
The cool night air burned my lungs as I ran, hearing Derek’s footsteps pounding behind . I barely made it a few hundred feet before his hand grabbed my arm, yanking backwards.
"You fucking bitch!" His open palm connected with my face, the sharp sting bringing tears to my eyes. "You don’t cooperate, don’t bla for what happens next."
We stood on a deserted road, nothing but darkness surrounding us. No cars. No witnesses. No help.
In that mont, survival instinct took over. I lunged forward and sank my teeth into his forearm with all the strength I could muster, tasting the salt of his skin and feeling a surge of savage satisfaction when he howled in pain.
"Goddammit!" He jerked away, giving the opening I needed.
I sprinted toward a small side road, disappearing into the darkness. My heart hamred against my ribs as I ran, one hand protectively over my belly. If I could just find sowhere to hide until morning...
But my pregnancy had slowed down. Within monts, Derek was on again, this ti twisting my arms behind my back to prevent another attack.
"You’re gonna pay for that," he snarled, dragging back toward the taxi despite my struggles.
By the ti he forced into the backseat again, I was gasping for breath, my energy spent. My cheek throbbed where he’d struck , and despair was starting to set in.
"Fucking hell," Derek muttered, touching the bite mark on his arm. "Almost fell for your act. Should’ve just knocked you out from the beginning."
He slamd the car door shut and was about to climb into the driver’s seat when blinding headlights suddenly illuminated the area behind him. A car horn blared through the night.
Derek raised his arm to shield his eyes as a vehicle screeched to a halt just feet away. Before he could react, several n in black suits erged, surrounding him instantly.
"Who the fuck are you people? Mind your own business!" Derek shouted.
His protest was cut short as the security team moved with professional efficiency. Within seconds, Derek was on the ground, restrained and groaning in pain.
I stumbled out of the taxi on shaky legs and almost collapsed before familiar arms caught . The scent of Ryan’s cologne enveloped as I fell against his chest.
Ryan’s eyes darkened dangerously as he took in my swollen cheek. Pure rage transford his face into sothing almost unrecognizable.
"Take him away and get everything he knows," he ordered his n, his voice ice cold and deadly.
Ryan lifted into his arms as if I weighed nothing, carrying to his waiting car.
"Serena, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tight with concern as he gently placed in the backseat. "The baby?"
"We’re both fine," I whispered, tears finally breaking free now that I was safe. "Thank you for coming... how did you know?"
"I have security watching over you," Ryan explained, brushing a strand of hair from my face with unexpected tenderness. "When they reported the taxi taking an unusual route and then going off-grid completely, I knew sothing was wrong imdiately."
His jaw clenched. "If we hadn’t found you... if that bastard had taken you sowhere else..."
"But you did find ," I said weakly, reaching for his hand. My fingers trembled as they closed around his. "You ca for us."
"Don’t talk anymore," Ryan said, his voice gentler than I’d ever heard it. "Just rest. You’re safe now."
As he placed gently in the backseat, the adrenaline finally wore off, leaving behind nothing but exhaustion and fear.
I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness.
Then Darkness claid as I collapsed against Ryan’s chest.
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