Chapter 131 The Trap

Chapter 131 The Trap
Ginnie

I had been sitting in my car for almost twenty minutes. The engine was off, but my hands remained wrapped tightly around the steering wheel.

Across the street, the school gates were crowded with children spilling onto the pavement as the final bell sent everyone home.

I hated every second of this.

I hated myself for even agreeing to it in the first place. 

But I had no choice.

Not after Adrian had threatened to show that video to Kenna.

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I glanced at the school entrance again.

Children were beginning to come out in larger groups. Then I saw him.

Jayden.

His little backpack was hanging from one shoulder as he walked beside a teacher.

He looked completely innocent, unaware of the fact that he was about to play a role in Adrian’s twisted plan. 

A sad smile touched my lips as I watched the teacher lead him toward the waiting cars.

They had barely moved a few steps when a black SUV pulled up. Two men stepped out, one of them moving quickly toward Jayden before grabbing him.

“Let me go! Let me go!” Jayden screamed, struggling against the men.

The teacher rushed forward to stop them, but one of the men shoved her aside.

“Jayden!” she cried out. “Someone help!”

My chest tightened painfully as they dragged his struggling body into the SUV and slammed the door shut.

A few moments later, the SUV sped away, leaving me frozen in my car. Before I realized what I was doing, I started the car, the tires rolling away from the curb as I followed quickly behind them. 

I kept enough distance between us to avoid being noticed, but I never let the SUV leave my sight.

Every turn it made sent another wave of countless questions running through my mind.

Where were they taking him?

What if something went wrong?

What if they hurt Jayden?

Twenty minutes later, the streets grew quieter as the SUV finally turned onto a narrow road surrounded by abandoned warehouses.

I quietly followed behind until it disappeared behind an old warehouse. Then I parked several yards away and switched off the engine.

For a brief moment, I sat there, trying to convince myself that I could do this. Finally, I exhaled a shaky breath and pushed open the car door.

The moment I set my foot on the ground, the faint scent of dust and rust hit me instantly.

I moved carefully toward the building, my heart pounding wildly in my ears with every step.

The warehouse looked like it had been abandoned for years. 

The windows were broken, and the paint had peeled from the walls. A rusted metal door hung slightly open.

I stopped behind a concrete pillar before my gaze swept around, looking for signs of more men.

That didn't make sense.

If Adrian's men had brought Jayden here, why were there no guards outside?

I quickly pushed the thought away as I  stepped closer to the broken window. Through the dusty glass, I could see shadows moving inside.

I had barely reached for the door when the sharp sound of my phone broke the silence.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

“No… no, no, no.”

I immediately stepped away from the door, moving as quietly as I could. I held my breath as I quietly tiptoed away from the broken window, praying the ringing wouldn't attract their attention.

The phone continued to vibrate in my hand while I quickly moved behind a large stack of old wooden crates a few yards away and crouched down.

Only then did I release the breath I had been holding. Then the phone started ringing again.

I quickly reached into my pocket and pulled it out. 

Adrian.

Why the hell was he calling me now?

I hesitated for a moment before answering the call.

"Hello?" 

"Where are you?" His voice came through immediately. “And where is Jayden?"

My eyebrows pulled together.

"What do you mean, where is Jayden?” I glanced briefly toward the warehouse. “Your men have taken him from the school."

“What?!” The loud sound of Adrian’s voice through the speaker made me flinch. “Reina, I haven’t sent my men yet.”

The moment the words left his mouth, my blood ran cold. I shook my head even though he couldn't see me.

"That's impossible."

"I've been trying to reach you because my men just called me,” he replied evenly. “They said they are at Jayden’s school and can’t find him.”

My grip tightened around the phone.

"If…” The words caught in my throat. “If your men didn’t take Jayden, then who did?”

A shiver ran down my spine as the terrifying realization dawned on me. 

Jayden.

He had been taken by someone who hadn't been part of the arrangement. Someone who could actually hurt him.

“Adrain…” I swallowed hard. “I followed the men who took him to an abandoned warehouse.”

“Get out of there right now, Ginnie!” His voice came out urgently. “You could be in danger if they see you.”

"No."

"Ginnie, listen to me—“

"I can't Jayden all alone,” my voice cut through his words. “I have to save him.”

Before Adrian could respond, I ended the call. Slowly, I lowered the phone from my ear with trembling hands.

I slid the phone back into my pocket and quietly began to sneak back into the building. 

A few moments later, I stepped inside, carefully closing the door behind me.

The warehouse was darker than I had imagined. Broken furniture was scattered across the floor, and dust floated through the thin strips of light coming through the damaged windows.

I had barely stepped fully inside when a faint whimpering sound reached my ears.

I froze.

“Jayden?” I called out quietly, my heart pounding as I moved deeper into the warehouse and followed the sound.

“Jayden, is that you?”

I quickened my steps, desperately hoping I would find him unharmed. Eventually, I rounded a corner.

And there he was.

Jayden was sitting on the floor with his hands tied loosely in front of him. His face was pale, and his eyes were wide with fear.

"Oh my God." I quickly rushed toward him. "Jayden!"

He scrambled to his feet and ran straight into me as I dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around him. He clung to me so tightly that my heart shattered.

“Angel Ginnie…”

"I'm here…” My voice trembled. “I'm here, baby."

A few moments later, I pulled back and quickly began to untie the rope around his wrists. 

"Come on." I grabbed his hand. "We're leaving."

We had barely started moving toward the entrance when the warehouse lights flickered. Jayden squeezed my hand tightly, hiding behind me.

"Angel Ginnie..."

"It's okay." I forced my voice to stay steady even though my heart ached. “Nothing will happen to you.”

But I didn't believe it myself.

The lights flickered again, then suddenly went out, darkness swallowing the warehouse.

Somewhere behind us, a door quietly closed, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching.

"Stay behind me." My fingers tightened around Jayden’s hand while I reached into my pocket with my free hand and pulled out my phone.

My fingers closed around it.

Before I could pull it out, a figure stepped out of the darkness. 

“What the fuck—?”

My eyes widened in utter disbelief as a familiar face stopped directly in front of me.

Cassian.

A dangerous, knowing smile slowly spread across his lips as he stared at me.

“Finally…” His eyes narrowed. “We meet again, Ginnie.”