THIRD PERSON POV
Maxie didn't know when the scream tore out of her throat.
It wasn't planned; it wasn't even conscious, it came from somewhere deep, primal, a raw sound that startled the silence of the apartment.
Her phone lay on the floor, the call still active, the flat buzz of disconnection filling the space like static. For a moment she just stared at it, hands trembling, her lips parted, and heart racing. Something had happened to Sharon she knew it, she could feel it.
"Sharon," she whispered, then louder, "Sharon!" as if calling her friend's name would somehow bring her back on the line. When the phone didn't answer, she screamed again louder this time until her door banged open with force.
Marcus appeared, half-dressed, sleep still clinging to his face.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Maxie?" His voice was sharp, the tone of someone suddenly pulled from rest. "You're disturbing the peace of everyone, keep it low!"
He was already turning to leave when she rushed to him, grabbing his arm. Her eyes were red, glistening with tears that hadn't yet fallen.
"Marcus," she gasped. "It's Sharon."
The moment he heard the name, he stopped. It was as if the air itself froze between them. He turned back slowly, eyes narrowing.
"What about her?"
"I...I don't know. We were just talking on the phone, and then there was this loud sound. Like a bang or something and after that she went silent. Her phone's dead now, Marcus. I can't reach her!"
Her words stumbled out between sobs, her voice shaking with panic.
"Maxie," Marcus said, trying to steady her. "Calm down, okay? Just tell me exactly what happened. Did she say anything strange before the call cut off?"
"She said she thought someone was outside. I told her to stay put, but then that sound, Marcus, it didn't sound right. We have to do something. We have to go to the police!"
Marcus's expression hardened. He didn't waste another second,
"Let's go"
He went out of Maxie's room, snatched his car keys from the table and pulled on a jacket.
Maxie followed, barely holding herself together, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Sharon, you better be safe," she murmured, her voice trembling as she clutched her phone tight.
In the car, the engine roared hard...Maxie's fingers fumbled as she dialed Zion's number. The moment he picked up, she burst into incoherent panic.
"Hello, Zion.... Shar_Shar is—"
"Hey, slow down," Zion's deep voice cut through, controlled but tense. "What are you saying?"
Before Maxie could reply, Marcus grabbed the phone with one hand, steering with the other.
"We think Sharon's been kidnapped," he said flatly.
There was silence on the other end, a long, sharp silence. Then Zion's voice came, lower now, dangerous.
"Kidnapped? Are you playing games with me right now?"
Marcus scoffed. "And you think I like you enough to play around?"
Zion didn't respond immediately. When he finally spoke, the coldness in his voice was unmistakable.
"Give me a second."
The line went quiet. Then a faint tapping sound like someone typing followed by a low curse.
"I just checked her phone's location," he said. "It's still at her house, but it's not moving. I'll reach out to Deputy William. Meet me there."
The call ended... Marcus tightened his grip on the wheel.
By the time they reached Sharon's apartment, police sirens were already painting the night blue and red. Zion stood near the entrance, his usually calm composure stripped away. He was pacing, jaw clenched, his expensive wristwatch glinting under the streetlights.
"Zion!" Maxie called, running up to him. She looked exhausted, her face pale from crying.
Zion didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the open apartment door, where officers were moving in and out.
The deputy approached. "Sir Zion," he said respectfully.
Zion turned, his voice clipped. "What's the situation now? I didn't bring you here for a slow investigation. I want results."
Deputy William hesitated. He'd never seen Zion like this, the wealthy, calm investor was gone. What stood before him was something colder, darker.
"Sir, we just tracked a van that left the area minutes before the call came in. Some of my men are already on it."
"That's not enough," Zion snapped. "Give me the location. I'm heading there myself."
"Sir, it's not safe..."
"I said now."
The deputy sighed and gave in. "Fine. But you'll need a security team with you. It's a crime scene."
Zion turned to Maxie and Marcus. "Get in the car."
Within minutes, three black SUVs were speeding through the streets, Zion's car in front, flanked by police escorts.
INSIDE THE VAN
Sharon woke up to darkness.
Her wrists hurt, tied behind her. Her head throbbed from the hit she'd taken, and when she moved, the sharp smell of gasoline filled her lungs.
She was lying on the cold metal floor of a moving van. The hum of the engine vibrated through her skin.
"Please," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Please, let me go."
The man in the passenger seat laughed without turning. "Did you hear that? She's begging."
Another voice came from behind her. "You should've thought about begging before messing with someone else's man."
Sharon's heart dropped. She knew what they meant but she wanted to be sure.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure you don't," the first man sneered. "You play with the rich, you pay the price. Maybe next time you'll remember your place."
Sharon's blood ran cold. Her breath hitched but she managed to mutter the name under her breath, barely audible.
"Diana."
The man sitting beside her froze for a second, then cursed.
"Damn it, why did you say that?" another snapped. "Now she knows who sent us!"
"Relax," the driver barked. "She won't live long enough to tell anyone."
Sharon's tears finally broke free...At first she had thought it was a scare prank but it felt serious now. She tried to wriggle her hands loose, her heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. I can't die. Not like this....
The van jolted suddenly, something hit them from behind the sound of tires screeched loudly
"What the...?" the driver yelled, looking through the mirror.
Red and blue lights filled the night behind them.
"Police!" one of them shouted.
"Step on it!"
The van sped up, weaving through the empty highway, but the sirens grew louder, and closer. Sharon could hear shouting outside orders, the sound of vehicles closing in at least she had hope
Her pulse raced and she curled tighter, praying silently her eyes closed tightly then a heavy clash with their van.
The van hit a barrier, spun violently, and slammed sideways into the guardrail. The world turned white for a second, then black again in Sharon's face.
When Sharon opened her eyes, the door was open, and rough hands were dragging her out. She screamed, but this time it was out of pain and shock not fear.
"Ma'am, you're safe now," a police officer said, steadying her. "We've got you."
She blinked, trying to get herself... her lips bleeding and her body trembling. Maxie's voice came faintly from the background, she sighed in relieve, finally a familiar voice
"Sharon!"
Maxie ran towards her, her arms were around Sharon, warm and shaking, clutching her tight. Marcus stood behind, breathing heavily, and Zion… Zion stood apart, his fists clenched, his jaw tight and his eyes a storm of fury.
The kidnappers were pinned to the ground, and cuffed, their faces pressed into the gravel. Zion turned to the deputy. "Don't let them out of your sight."
"Yes, sir."
Maxie wouldn't stop crying. Sharon managed a faint smile through the pain. "I'm okay," she whispered, though she clearly wasn't.
Zion walked up slowly, his expression unreadable. "You're bleeding," he said, his tone softer now. Sharon looked up at him and tried to pull a fast joke, she knew she'd them all worried
"I'll live," Sharon muttered.
He nodded once, then looked at the deputy. "She'll give her statement now."
A few minutes later, Sharon stood beside a female officer near the wrecked van, she was shaking but determined.
The officer held out a notepad. "Tell me everything you can remember, ma'am."
Sharon took a deep breath. "They said something… about a wife. About me not knowing my place." Her eyes flickered with exhaustion but she was battling heavily inside her, contemplating if she should tell them who it really was or not
The officer's eyes widened slightly, then she looked toward the van and in that moment, the night shattered.
Bang!
The gunshot echoed across the street, sharp and sudden. The officer standing right in front of Sharon jerked backward, blood blooming across her uniform before she collapsed. The officer was hit by a bullet most likely intended for Sharon.
Sharon screamed as chaos broke out around her.
Zion's voice roared through the noise "Get her down!"
Marcus ran over to her and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her to the ground but there was no other sound...