Chapter 84
Dominic’s car screeched to a halt at the entrance to the docks, the gravel crunching beneath the tires. The docks, bathed in the dim light of dawn, seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. Dominic and his crew emerged from the vehicles with grim determination etched on their faces. Marco, Lucas, and a few other trusted men moved swiftly to cover the exits, ensuring no one would escape.
As they advanced cautiously through the maze of shipping containers and abandoned warehouses, Dominic’s keen eyes caught sight of a figure moving toward a parked van. The man was counting a thick stack of cash, his face illuminated by the harsh glow of a nearby streetlight. Dominic’s blood ran cold as he recognized the man—Ava’s father.
The sight of him made Dominic’s stomach churn with a mix of rage and disgust. He gestured for his men to hold back as he approached Ava’s father, who was oblivious to their presence, too engrossed in his newfound wealth.
“Ava’s father,” Dominic called out, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. The man froze, his head snapping up, eyes wide with shock and fear.
“What are you doing here?” Ava’s father stammered, quickly shoving the money into his coat pocket.
Dominic stepped closer, his eyes dark and menacing. “I should be asking you the same question. Why are you here, and why are you counting money that clearly isn’t yours?”
Ava’s father backed up a step, his hands trembling. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Dominic’s patience snapped. He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, grabbing the man by the collar and slamming him against the side of the van. “Don’t lie to me,” he snarled. “I know you’re involved in Ava’s kidnapping. How much did they pay you to betray your own daughter?”
The fear in Ava’s father’s eyes was palpable, but he tried to maintain a facade of bravado. “I didn’t have a choice,” he protested weakly. “They would have killed me if I didn’t help.”
Dominic’s grip tightened, his knuckles white. “And what do you think I’m going to do to you now?” he hissed. “You sold your daughter to monsters, and now you’re going to pay the price.”
Ava’s father struggled, but Dominic’s hold was unyielding. “Please, Dominic,” he pleaded, his voice breaking. “I didn’t want to do it. They forced me.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Dominic’s voice was cold, devoid of any compassion. “You’re a coward and a traitor. You deserve everything that’s coming to you.”
Ava’s father’s eyes darted around, looking for an escape, but Dominic’s men had them surrounded. There was no way out. Desperation twisted his features as he begged for mercy. “Please, I can help you find her. I can tell you where they took her.”
Dominic’s jaw clenched. “You’re out of chances. If you wanted to help, you should have done it before selling her out.” He pulled a gun from his holster, the cold metal glinting in the dim light.
“Wait! No!” Ava’s father cried, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Dominic’s expression was one of grim resolve. “This is for Ava,” he said, his voice steady. “And for everything you put her through.”
The gunshot echoed through the docks, a final punctuation to the betrayal and cowardice of a man who had forsaken his own blood. Ava’s father slumped to the ground, lifeless, the stack of cash slipping from his coat and scattering across the cold, hard ground.
For a moment, silence reigned, the weight of Dominic’s actions settling heavily on the air. Marco and the others approached, their faces grim but understanding. They knew what had to be done, and none of them questioned Dominic’s decision.
Marco placed a hand on Dominic’s shoulder. “What now, boss?”
Dominic took a deep breath, holstering his gun. “We keep moving,” he said, his voice firm. “We find Ava and we bring her home. This ends tonight.”
The crew nodded, their determination renewed. They moved as one, leaving the body of Ava’s father behind, a stark reminder of the lengths Dominic would go to protect the woman he loved.
As they continued their search through the docks, Dominic’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The image of Ava’s father lying dead at his feet was burned into his memory, a testament to the brutal reality of the world they lived in. But it also fueled his resolve. He would not rest until Ava was safe, no matter the cost.
The search intensified, every corner and shadow examined with meticulous care. They were getting closer, and Dominic could feel it. The adrenaline coursed through his veins, his senses sharpened by the urgency of the situation.
Finally, a breakthrough came. One of Dominic’s men spotted a van matching the description heading towards an old warehouse on the edge of the docks. “That’s our best shot,” Marco said. “Let’s move.”
Dominic’s heart pounded with renewed hope. “Hang on, Ava. I’m coming for you.”
As they sped towards the warehouse, Dominic’s mind was filled with thoughts of Ava. He pictured her smile, her laughter, the way she looked at him with love and trust. He couldn’t lose her. She was his everything, and he would do whatever it took to bring her back safely.
The warehouse loomed ahead, a dark and foreboding structure. Dominic’s resolve hardened. This was it. The final confrontation. He would face whatever lay inside, and he would bring Ava home.
“Remember the plan,” he told his team as they approached. “Stay focused. We’re getting Ava back, no matter what.”
With that, they moved in, ready to face whatever dangers awaited. The love and determination that fueled Dominic’s every step would guide him through the darkness. And when he found Ava, they would be unstoppable together.