Chapter 336

Chapter 336

Josh's Point of View

The message arrived during Sara's photoshoot: "Remember Danny's Bar? Time to talk about old debts."

My blood turned to ice as memories flooded back - broken glass, crimson stains, screams in the darkness. Ten years of carefully buried history threatening to surface.

"Looking good, Sara!" The photographer's enthusiasm barely registered as I scanned the studio's shadows, suddenly feeling watched.

"Outside. Now." Another text from the same unknown number. "Unless you want your pretty model to learn what kind of man she's really working with."

My hands shook as I made excuses to step out. The autumn air bit through my suit as I entered the alley behind the studio.

He waited in the shadows, barely changed from our street days. Marcus. My former right hand in operations I'd spent years trying to forget.

"Well, well." His smile hadn't changed either, all predator, no warmth. "Look who cleaned up nice."

"What do you want?" I kept my voice steady despite the panic clawing at my chest.

"Can't a guy check on an old friend?" He pushed off the wall, moving closer. "Especially one who's been making headlines with his gorgeous client."

My fists clenched. "Leave Sara out of this."

"Protective, aren't we?" His eyes glittered. "Wonder what she'd think if she knew what happened that night at Danny's. The things you did..."

"That was a lifetime ago."

"Was it?" He pulled out his phone, showing me a photo that made my stomach drop. "Because I've got proof saying otherwise."

The image showed exactly what I'd feared - security footage from that night, grainy but clear enough to identify my younger self. Clear enough to destroy everything I'd built.

"What do you want?" I repeated, ice filling my veins.

"Smart boy." He pocketed the phone. "Always were quick on the uptake. Let's start with five million. Call it insurance against certain revelations."

"I don't have that kind of money."

His laugh echoed off brick walls. "No? But your pretty model does. Or that fancy new family of yours. The Sinclairs aren't exactly hurting for cash."

"I'm not involving them."

"Then I guess the press gets a very interesting story." He pulled out more photos - me with Sara at events, looking at her with undisguised longing. "Star model's manager hiding violent past. Wonder what that'll do to her career?"

Red tinged my vision. Before I could stop myself, I had him against the wall, arm pressed to his throat.

"There he is." Marcus grinned despite his position. "The real Josh Matthews. The one who didn't hesitate to-"

"Is everything okay out here?"

Sara's voice shattered the moment. I released Marcus quickly, stepping back as she emerged from the studio door.

"Just catching up with an old friend," Marcus smoothed his jacket, smile turning charming. "Right, Josh?"

I couldn't speak past the terror in my throat. Sara's eyes darted between us, noting my tension.

"The shoot's wrapped," she said carefully. "We should head to the next appointment."

"Of course." Marcus pulled out a business card, pressing it into my hand. "Think about what I said, old friend. About debts coming due."

He disappeared into the shadows like the ghost he was, leaving me shaking with suppressed violence and fear.

"Josh?" Sara touched my arm gently. "What was that about?"

"Nothing." I pulled away from her concern. "Just business."

"Don't." Her voice hardened. "Don't lie to me. I saw how you looked at him. Like you wanted to..."

"To what?" I met her eyes, letting her see the darkness there. "To hurt him? To silence him? Is that the kind of man you want to know about?"

"Yes." She stepped closer despite my attempt to withdraw. "Because that man is part of you. And I want to know all of you."

"No." I backed away. "You really don't."

"Josh-"

"The car's waiting." I cut her off, professional mask firmly in place. "We're late for the magazine interview."

But as we drove through city streets, my phone kept buzzing with messages from Marcus. Each one a reminder that my carefully constructed walls were about to come crashing down.

"Three days," his final text read. "Then everyone learns what happened at Danny's Bar. Including your precious Sara."

I glanced at her beside me, beautiful and pure and everything I didn't deserve. She caught me looking, offering a smile that made my heart ache.

How could I protect her from this? From the truth about who I really was?

The answer came like a knife to the chest - I couldn't. All I could do was try to minimize the damage when everything fell apart.

"Josh?" Sara's voice pulled me from dark thoughts. "Whatever it is, whatever he's threatening... you don't have to face it alone."

If she only knew. If she could see the blood on my hands, the choices I'd made...

She'd run screaming.

And maybe that would be better than watching her heart break when the truth finally came out.