Chapter 327: Confrontation At The Grave

Emma's POV

My eyes quickly found Aiden in the crowd. His face briefly flashed with panic before smoothing into practiced composure. I noted the reaction with grim satisfaction. So he did have something to hide.

The lead agent, a tall man with a severe crew cut, strode directly toward Gavin. Everyone tensed, conversations dying mid-sentence as the atmosphere shifted from grief to apprehension.

"Mr. Reynolds?" The agent's voice carried across the silent cemetery.

Gavin stepped forward, his expression unnervingly calm. "Yes?"

The agent produced an official document. "I have a search warrant for this premises."

Gavin's response was a single, collected word: "Good."

I couldn't help but stare at him. His composure seemed almost rehearsed, as if he'd been expecting this interruption.

The agent pointed toward the coffins. "We need to examine the caskets before they're lowered."

A collective gasp rippled through the mourners. Even in my state of shock, I noticed Gavin's lack of surprise. His face remained impassive, almost bored. Something was very wrong.

"I don't agree." Aiden's voice cut through the murmurs, sharp with anger. "This is disrespectful to my deceased parents."

The agent turned to face him. "Sir, we're executing a federal warrant."

"And if you don't find anything?" Aiden demanded, his face flushing with rage. "How will you explain desecrating my parents' final resting place?"

"This is a matter of public duty," the agent replied evenly. "We received information that requires investigation."

Aiden's hands balled into fists. "Who knows if this information is legitimate? What if someone called in a false report?"

The agent's patience was visibly thinning. "Sir, if you continue to obstruct, we'll have to detain you for interfering with federal officers."

"Then you'll have to arrest me," Aiden declared, stepping between the agents and the coffins. "Because unless you drag me away, I won't let you dishonor my parents like this."

The lead agent nodded to his colleagues. "Take him into custody."

As two agents moved toward Aiden, he turned to Gavin, his face a mask of betrayal and fury. "Why aren't you saying anything? Do you also think I'm using Mom and Dad's death for something sinister?"

Gavin met his brother's gaze, his expression darkening. "This is law enforcement, Aiden. If you hadn't done something to attract their attention, they wouldn't be here."

"I may have many flaws," Aiden's voice dropped to a pained growl, "but I would never, ever use our parents. I wouldn't hide anything in their coffins."

I studied Aiden's face. The raw hurt in his eyes seemed genuine, the outrage of someone wrongfully accused. But his track record made it impossible to trust him. Was this another performance from a skilled manipulator?

"Everyone back up," the lead agent ordered, motioning for the cemetery workers to approach with their tools. A handler with a bomb-sniffing dog moved forward.

Without warning, the cemetery workers lunged at the agents. Chaos erupted as men in suits emerged from behind tombstones, joining the attack. Aiden twisted sharply, his elbow connecting with an agent's face as he broke free.

Rachel and I instinctively moved away from the violence, backing toward a large memorial statue.

"Look out!" someone shouted.

I felt a sudden jolt, my body swaying as someone grabbed me from behind. But when I turned, I saw Blake holding Rachel instead, his arm locked around her throat, a knife pressed against her skin.

"Nobody move," Blake commanded, his voice cold and unfamiliar, "or I'll kill her."

My heart stopped. Blake wasn't a victim in this situation—he was part of it. Why would he take Rachel instead of me? The answer came immediately: he couldn't bring himself to hurt me.

The fighting paused as everyone registered the hostage situation. Blake's eyes swept the crowd before landing on Alaric, who stood frozen near the edge of the confrontation.

"Mr. Lewis," Blake called out, "you know what to do now, don't you?"

Alaric had been attacked during the chaos but had managed to remain standing. His eyes fixed on Rachel, then narrowed at Blake.

"Let her go," he said calmly. "Take me instead."

Blake's laugh was harsh. "Mr. Lewis should know better than to waste time with pointless suggestions."

"Blake," I called out, my voice shaking, "why are you doing this?"

He barely glanced at me, his attention remaining fixed on Alaric.

"Blake," I shouted again, "if you want a hostage, take me. I'm pregnant. I'm carrying two lives. I'm more valuable."

"Shut up," Blake snarled, pressing the knife harder against Rachel's throat. A thin line of blood appeared where the blade bit into her skin.

"Blake, please don't hurt Rachel!" I pleaded, desperate now.

Alaric's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine. I'll arrange a helicopter to get you out of here."

"Uncle, no!" Rachel suddenly called out, her voice steady despite the knife at her throat.

All eyes turned to her in surprise.

"I don't care what happens to me," Rachel continued. "They need to be caught. These criminals need to be stopped."

I stared at my friend in disbelief, awed by her courage.

"Blake," I tried once more, "don't hurt Rachel. Think about our baby. Think about doing something good."

Blake's expression remained glacial, unmoved by my pleas.

"If you hurt her," I warned, my voice breaking, "I will never forgive you. Not in this lifetime or any other."

Alaric raised his hand toward me. "Emma, save your breath." He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Get a helicopter to my current location. As quickly as possible."

The air around us seemed to still, charged with tension like the moments before a lightning strike.

Alaric's eyes never left Rachel, filled with a depth of concern that went far beyond that of an uncle for his niece.

"Uncle," Rachel said softly, "if anything happens to me, please take care of my mom..."

She turned her head slightly toward me. "Emma, don't you dare mourn me. Focus on your pregnancy... And stop looking for men. They're all worthless."

"Rach, don't talk like that," I cried, moving forward. "I'm coming with you. If you don't make it, I don't want to either."

I took a step toward Blake and Rachel, but someone grabbed my arm from behind. I turned to find Aiden restraining me.

"Let go!" I demanded coldly.

Aiden held tight, his grip unyielding.

Fury overwhelmed me. I swung my free hand, slapping him hard across the face. The sound cracked through the cemetery like a gunshot.

"Aiden, you worthless piece of shit," I spat, my voice trembling with rage.