Chapter 29 Coming Out Of The Shadows
Courtney’s POV
The city blurred past in streaks of steel and sunlight, but my focus stayed locked on the envelope resting in my lap. I hadn’t put it down since Elena handed it to me. Hadn’t stopped thinking about it either. Beside me, Elena sat quietly, her hands clasped tightly together, her usual soft demeanor edged with tension. She kept glancing out the window, like she expected something to jump out at us at any moment. Honestly? After everything we’d seen today…
I didn’t blame her.
“This changes everything,” I murmured, more to myself than to her.
Elena nodded slightly.
“I figured you’d say that.”
I looked over at her.
“You did the right thing bringing this to me.”
“I wasn’t sure who else to trust.”
Her voice was steady, but there was something fragile beneath it. Something shaken. I softened slightly.
“You can trust me.”
A small smile tugged at her lips.
“I know. Bella always tells me and Portia that everything that happened between our father and the McKays doesn't define our standings with Damian and his brothers. I even talk to Anna sometimes when Bella meets her and Marcus in Europe.”
I exhaled and leaned back against the seat, my grip tightening slightly on the envelope. Ardent Global. Peter Ramsey. A hidden business connection.
And now, Felicia’s obsession with Damian made a lot more sense. This wasn’t random. This wasn’t strategic convenience. This was history. And history had a way of resurfacing in the worst possible ways.
“We need to get this to Damian,” I said firmly.
Elena nodded.
“That’s why I wanted to go with you.”
I glanced at her.
“You didn’t have to come.”
“I know,” she said quietly. “But I wanted to. I feel like I owe it to Damian to do something good for him and his family.”
I studied her for a moment. There was more to that. More she wasn’t saying. But before I could press—
The car slowed. I glanced up. Red light. Two intersections away from McKay Enterprises. Almost there.
“Good,” I muttered. “We’ll be there in—”
I stopped mid-sentence. Because something felt off. The traffic around us had shifted. Too suddenly. Too deliberately. My gaze sharpened. Two black SUVs. One pulling in front of us. One sliding in behind. Blocking us in. My pulse spiked.
“Elena…”
“I see it.”
Her voice was tight now. Controlled. Our driver barely had time to react before the doors flew open. Men poured out. Big. Intimidating. Purposeful. And heading straight for us.
“Stay calm,” I said quickly, already shifting my weight.
Courtney Bennett didn’t panic. Not when panic meant losing control. The back doors were yanked open before we could make a move. Rough hands grabbed at us.
“Out!”
“Move!”
I twisted instinctively, trying to pull away, but one of them had a solid grip on my arm—my injured arm. Pain shot up instantly.
“Let go!” I snapped, struggling to keep my balance without making it worse.
Elena was being dragged out on the other side, her protests sharp but controlled.
“Get your hands off me!”
We were pulled from the car almost simultaneously. My heels hit the pavement hard, my body jerking as they tried to force me forward.
“Move!”
“Not happening,” I shot back, digging my feet in as much as I could. But there were too many of them. Too strong. Too coordinated.
For a split second, I calculated. Options. Openings. Weak points. And then—
Everything changed.
Because Elena Ramsey snapped. Not in fear. In action. She twisted sharply in the grip of the man holding her—faster than I expected—and dropped her weight just enough to throw him off balance. Then, her leg shot up. Direct. Precise. Brutal. Right into his crotch. The man howled, doubling over instantly as his grip loosened.
“Elena?!” I blinked in shock.
She didn’t hesitate. Didn’t even look at me. Instead, she reached into her jacket and pulled out—
Pepper spray.
“Seriously?!” I managed, half impressed, half stunned.
She sprayed the second man directly in the face. He stumbled back, cursing loudly as he clawed at his eyes.
“Elena Ramsey,” I muttered under my breath. “Noted.”
She turned toward me immediately. My situation was still… complicated. One guy behind me. One holding my other arm. Limited mobility. Injured arm. But—
I caught her eye. And in that split second, we understood each other. She gave me a small nod.
Now.
I didn’t hesitate. I snapped my head back hard. My skull connected with the guy behind me. Solid. Painful. Effective. He grunted, his grip loosening just enough—
Enough. Elena was already moving. She rushed forward and sprayed the second guy holding me. He recoiled instantly, shouting as he stumbled away. I yanked free, grabbing Elena’s hand.
“Run!”
We bolted toward the car. Adrenaline surged through me, overriding everything else. Pain. Fear. Doubt. None of it mattered. We just needed to get out.
We reached the door, I yanked it open, and then—
Another engine roared behind us.
We froze. Slowly turning. Another car had pulled up. A sleek, black BMW. Of course it was. The driver’s door opened. And out stepped the last person I wanted to see.
Felicia Ardent. Perfectly composed. Perfectly dressed. Perfectly in control. Her heels clicked softly against the pavement as she approached, her gaze sweeping over the scene—the men recovering, the chaos, us standing there, breathless but defiant.
And then—
She smiled. Wicked. Satisfied. Like this had all gone exactly according to plan.
“Well,” she said smoothly, tilting her head slightly. “That was… entertaining.”
My jaw tightened.
“Elena,” I murmured under my breath. “Stay behind me.”
“Not happening,” she whispered back.
Of course not.
Felicia’s eyes flicked between us. Calculating. Amused. Dangerous.
“It would be wise,” she continued, her voice calm, almost pleasant, “for you to come along quietly, ladies.”
I stepped forward slightly. Positioning myself between her and Elena.
“We’re not going anywhere with you.”
Her smile didn’t falter.
“If you cooperate, we can be civil.”
“And if we don’t?”
Her eyes darkened just slightly. The only crack in her composure.
“Then this becomes… unpleasant.”
I let out a short, humorless laugh.
“Funny,” I said. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
Felicia studied me for a moment. Then her gaze shifted to Elena. Lingering. Assessing.
“Ramsey,” she said softly.
Elena stiffened slightly.
“You’ve caused quite a bit of trouble.”
Elena lifted her chin.
“Good.”
Felicia’s smile widened.
“Oh, I like you. You remind me so much of ---”
I stepped forward again.
“You don’t get to talk to her.”
Felicia’s attention snapped back to me.
“And you,” she said, almost thoughtfully. “You’re exactly as difficult as I imagined.”
“Glad I could meet your expectations.”
Her gaze sharpened.
“You should have stayed out of this.”
I held her stare.
“You should have picked a different target.”
A beat of silence passed between us. Charged. Heavy.Then, Felicia sighed softly.
“Such a shame.”
Her fingers lifted slightly. A signal. The men around us started to regroup. Move. Close in again.
“Elena,” I whispered. “On my count—”
But before I could finish, sirens suddenly echoed loudly, as though approaching fast. Felicia’s expression flickered. Just for a second. Then smoothed over again.
Always composed. Always calculating. She stepped back slightly, her smile returning. “This isn’t over,” she said quietly. I didn’t respond. Didn’t need to. Because we both knew. This was just the beginning. She turned gracefully, slipping back into her car as if nothing had happened. The SUVs followed quickly. And just like that— They were gone. Leaving behind chaos. Silence. And the echo of something much bigger than either of us had anticipated.
I exhaled slowly, my heart still racing. Elena looked at me as I looked around to see where the sirens were coming from.
“Did someone see and call the police? I don't see…”
My eyes landed on Elena holding a small black device in her hand. When she pressed a button, the sirens stopped.
"It's a panic alarm thing Bella got for Portia and me when we're alone for whatever reason. Apparently, it works," Elena smiled, and I let out a relieved chuckle.
"I need to get me one of those," I grinned. “We need to get to Damian.”
Now more than ever. Because whatever Felicia Ardent wanted, she was no longer hiding it. And that made her even more dangerous