CHAPTER 58: FREEDOM’S COST

"You're more involved than you realize. Additionally, Jeo won't be able to save you this time."

Like a poisonous whisper, Victor's voice slithered over the phone.

As I strained to maintain a steady voice, my fingers balled into sts and my nails dug into my hands.

"What do you want, Victor?"

Through the line came a faint laugh. "Isn't it clear? You. and what belongs to me."

Jeo's hands squeezed over the driving wheel until his knuckles were white. I could see the storm

raging below, but his eyes flickered with a terrible calm. He wasn't only upset. He was making

calculations.

I retorted, "You have nothing," "Whatever you’re looking for, I don’t have it."

As though amused, Victor hummed. "Oh, that's the issue, Elena. You're not even aware of what has

been left for you. Don't worry, though; I'll assist you in solving it."

Joe interrupted, his tone piercing. "If you lay a hand on her, I’ll make sure you regret it."

Victor chuckled. "Oh, Jeo. Playing the hero all the time. But let's face it, both you and I are aware of

how this game ends.

The line died.

There was a chilly hush that was heavy with unsaid words.

With my heart racing, I turned to face Jeo. "What is his meaning? What does he believe I possess?

Jeo took a while to respond. His eyes were fixed on the road, and his mouth was clenched.

"Jeo," I demanded, raising my voice. "Tell me the truth."

He relaxed his hold on the wheel a little. "A ledger belonged to your father. A log of every illicit

transaction, dishonest politician, and shady business carried out by this city's most influential men."

My stomach turned over. "And Victor wants it?"

Jeo gave a nod. "Many other folks also do. Elena, that's why your father was slain.

My lungs became heavy with air.

For years, I thought my father had died in a terrible accident. Now, however, the harsh and cruel truth

was revealing itself to me.

And I was in the line of re.

The Scheme

My thoughts were racing as the automobile drove across the deserted highway.

"Where are we going?" Trying to speak steadily, I asked.

Joe didn't take his eyes off the road. "Somewhere Victor won’t expect."

I laughed resentfully. "Such a place does not exist. No matter where I go, he ends me.

Jeo's mouth clenched. "Not this time."

My chest constricted for some reason because of the assurance in his words.

I looked at him, looking into his face. "You’re planning something."

He didn't dispute that a muscle in his jaw trembled.

"Jeo," I cautioned.

With a groan, he combed through his hair. Victor is looking for leverage. He will try to use you as bait

to get the ledger from me if you don't have it, as he believes you do."

I tensed up. "Then what’s your plan?"

Jeo's dark, unblinking eyes greeted me. "We give him what he wants."

I gasped. "You’re going to give him the ledger?"

His lips formed a ghost of a sneer. "Not exactly."

A sinking sensation took hold of me.

Joe went on, "I'm going to give him the impression that he is in control." "And then… I’ll take

everything from him."

His voice was so confident that it made me shudder.

This was no longer only a matter of survival.

It was a power struggle.

Joe also had no intention of losing.

The Trap of Victor

On the edge of the city, we came across an abandoned warehouse. The smell of rain and rust filled

the air. After parking, Jeo turned to face me.

He said, "Stay close to me," "No matter what happens."

I nodded but swallowed hard.

I realized we weren't alone as soon as we entered.

There was the sound of footsteps in the dark. A slow, careful cadence.

Then he came out.

Victor.

Clad in a sharp black suit, he appeared to be the cunning manipulator that he was. I was uneasy,

though, because of his smile and the icy amusement in his eyes.

"You came," thought Victor. "I have to admit, I wasn’t sure if you had it in you, Jeo."

Joe didn't answer. Rather, he hung a leather-bound notepad across the table.

Victor's eyebrows went up. "The ledger?"

A sneer formed on Jeo's lips. "See for yourself."

Victor took it up and began to turn the pages.

His face was still unreadable. Till he burst out laughing.

"You thought this would fool me?" Victor snapped the book shut. "Jeo, Jeo, Jeo… when will you

learn?"

Something cold brushed against my temple before I could respond.

A rearm.

A man emerged from the darkness, keeping me in place while I gasped.

Victor tsked. "You really should’ve known better, Elena."

Joe became rigid all over. "Let her go."

Victor grinned. "Now, why would I do that?"

With his sts clenched, Jeo stepped forward. "Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure you never get what

you’re looking for."

Something evil glinted in Victor's eyes. "You think you’re still in control here?"

Jeo's grin never wavered as he cocked his head slightly. "I know I am."

Silence for a beat.

Then there was mayhem.

Joe moved too quickly for me to comprehend.

As he disarmed the man who was holding me, a piercing snap reverberated throughout the

warehouse. I dodged, scurrying out of reach in the moment of distraction.

There was a genre.

With short gasps of breath, I ung myself behind a crate.

I witnessed Jeo use precise, well-thought-out motions to take down two of Victor's guys in the

confusion.

Then— My arm was ripped with a terrible agony.

A shot.

Blood soaked through my fingers as I clutched the wound, gasping.

"Elena!" Jeo's voice was piercing with fear.

A few feet away, Victor smirked contentedly as he observed me.

"Well," he thought, "this just got interesting."

Victor raised his hand and pointed it straight at my chest as Jeo stepped forward to confront me.

Victor said, "One more step and she dies."

My head racing, I took a trembling breath.

Pain. Fear. Desperation.

Then there was an epiphany.

Victor wanted more than just the ledger.

He desired to shatter Jeo.

The key was me.

Victor's sneer grew as he cocked his revolver.

"You have ve seconds to decide, Jeo."

My heart was racing.

"Give me what I want…"

Victor's anger gripped the trigger more tightly.

"Or say goodbye to her forever."