Chapter 50 Liza
LIZA
My patience was running thin as I watched through my windshield. Ty’s security team descended on the Presley Acres downtown area like a SWAT team in an action movie.
How did they get here so fast? I wasn’t sure how they operated, but I was grateful. Castro, or someone working for him, was nearby. They’d taken a photo of me, and I’d been none the wiser.
I clutched my throat as a chill ran down my spine, the realization of my vulnerability washing over me.
It hit like a tidal wave. I had been so carelessly strolling out of the farmer’s market, oblivious to the dangers lurking around me.
Anything could have happened, and I wouldn’t have had a second to respond since I was lost in my own thoughts, my hands filled with bags of fresh vegetables and fruit.
I shuddered at the thought of Castro grabbing me and claiming me as his own.
The security team combed the area, and I watched a few of them go down an alley. If Castro was there, they’d find him because he’d have nowhere to go. I doubted they’d find him, though. He had never been here.
After more than an hour of waiting in my car, helplessly watching as the team searched for any clue of Castro or an accomplice in the area, my phone buzzed. It was Ty.
I answered right away, relieved to hear his voice on the other end. “I’m driving as fast as I can.”
I sighed. “Slow down, Ty. It’s not worth you getting in an accident. Your team is here. I’m safe. Annoyed and a little shaky but otherwise fine.”
“I’d rather you be fucking annoyed than gone forever, Liza.”
Good point. I wasn’t perturbed by his straightforward words. He was worried and he couldn’t get here fast enough. I appreciated his sense of urgency and his desire to protect me at all costs.
“I’m going to instruct your security guard to drive you to the estate. I think you’ll be safer there than your house.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t argue with his logic. Castro and his lackey wouldn’t dare try to penetrate the secure walls of the Keller Estate. My tiny house in a lower middle-class neighborhood, however, would be much easier to access.
“I’ll meet you there.” He sounded breathless. “Be safe.”
The call ended, and a chill run through me.
Who the hell would be twisted enough to work for someone like Castro?
Dominic and the local law enforcement did a good job of keeping criminals off the streets of Presley Acres, but then again, Castro had had no problem finding Sylas.
He’d been vulnerable and needed help, and Castro exploited his vulnerability.
Up until that point, the head coroner of the local hospital had been no criminal.
With his endless resources, Castro would have no trouble finding a similar lost soul—one who would do his bidding in return for assistance in some area of their life.
It could be anyone.
Turning in my seat, I surveyed the market area, watching for any suspicious pauses or glances in my direction.
Everyone went about their business, paying no attention to my vehicle.
I hated that I’d become suspicious of people, some who I’d known my entire life.
This town was my home. Castro had no fucking right to use these people against me.
Whoever had taken my picture was probably long gone, prepped, and ready for whatever Castro had planned next.
My bodyguard ran up to my car and tapped on the window. I climbed over the center console into the passenger seat and pressed the button on my keys to unlock the door for him.
He slid into the driver’s seat without a word, locked the doors, then grabbed the keys from me and shoved them into the ignition.
“I’m assuming you’re taking me to the Keller Estate?”
He nodded, checking his blind spot before turning onto the crowded street.
The drive gave me time to think more about the fragility of our situation. I had to be smarter and more aware of my surroundings from now on.
As soon as we arrived, several guards met me at the door and escorted me into the house, bolting the door behind me.
Dominic stood at the stop of the stairs. “Come on up, Liza. Ty will be here soon, but he wants you with Nico until he gets here.”
I trudged up the marble staircase and into Dominic’s office. Nico stood by the desk, murmuring into his phone. A handful of his security team were strewn across the room, conferring with one another while staring at their laptop screens.
The tension in the room was palpable. I could feel my heart racing as I made my way over to Nico and stood next to him, trying to focus on the conversation he was having.
He hung up abruptly and turned to me. “Liza, I wish I had concrete news for you.”
I sighed and slumped into a chair. They hadn’t found the person who’d been stalking and photographing me without my knowledge.
Nico crossed his arms and leaned against the desk.
“My team has seen no signs of Castro. He hasn’t entered town, and there have been no reports of him being seen near the outskirts of town.
As you know, there’s only one road that leads in and out of Presley Acres, so if Castro tried to cross into town, we would’ve spotted him. ”
I nodded. It was a relief to know that Nico’s team was scouring the area. Against my will, my heart still raced with anxiety and fear. Maybe it wasn’t Castro they should’ve been keeping an eye out for. But who else?
Nico gave me an understanding look before continuing. “My team will continue to monitor things carefully and report any suspicious activity they find in the area. We’ve got things covered, so try not to worry too much, okay?”
My leg bobbed up and down, and I forced it to still. Who or what was I so afraid of? Not even Nico could answer that question.
“Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it.”
He smiled reassuringly before leaving the room to take another phone call.
Dominic sat down behind his desk and focused all of his attention on the computer screen. After a few minutes of typing, he looked up in my direction. “How are you holding up?”
I blew out a breath. “I’m trying to stay strong, but I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen. I just don’t know who I should be keeping an eye out for since Castro hasn’t been spotted in the area.”
Dominic’s expression softened as he leaned back in his chair. Just when I thought he might say something kind and reassuring, Ty came rushing into the room.
He locked eyes with me and hurried to my side, dropping to his knees next to me and wrapping his arms around my body. “Are you okay?”
I forced a smile. “I’m a little shaken up, but I’m doing fine.”
He let out a deep sigh and lowered his voice. “Are you feeling… anxious or upset?”
“No, Ty. I’m remaining calm. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you.” He moved to the seat next to me and turned his attention to his father. “What’s the latest?”
Nico burst into the room, holding an open envelope in one hand and a flash drive in the other.
“This was in the mailbox. We found it a few minutes ago after the mail was delivered.” He pulled a piece of paper from the envelope and handed it to Dominic.
“We need to run the drive through software to make sure there isn’t a virus on it, but in the meantime, here’s the note that came with it.
I’ll be back shortly.” He left the room without another word.
Ty stood and snatched the note from Dominic, and I wondered if I would witness an all-out brawl between the fading alpha and his protégé.
Dominic raised an eyebrow. “All right, then. I guess you’re going to read the letter first?”
Ty recoiled and winced. “Sorry. I’m a little amped up.”
“With good reason.” Dominic nodded and gestured toward the letter. “Go ahead.”
Ty cleared his throat and read the letter aloud. “‘Sorry to say that the stakes have been raised for your next round of hints.’”
I scoffed. He’d planted a bomb in the dead center of town. How much higher could the stakes get?
As Ty read on, I soon realized just how much more Castro could raise the stakes, and it was terrifying.
“‘You have exactly twelve hours to find my next clue. If you fail, a buried secret will be uncovered.’”
That didn’t bode well. I glanced at Dominic, whose fists were clenched tightly, his jaw set squarely as he stared straight ahead.
“This is not good. Considering everything Castro already knows about our family’s past, there’s no telling how much he’s dug up on the Keller pack.” He pounded his fist on the desk. “We can’t let that motherfucker beat us.”
The next hour was spent contemplating what deep secret Castro would reveal if we failed at his sick game. All I could think about was my being an omega, and how that information being leaked could lead to a plethora of issues—not just for me but for Ty’s family, as well.
Nico returned as quietly as he’d slipped out of the room, the flash drive raised over his head. “Good news. The drive is clean. No spyware or bugs. It’s safe.”
“So, does our twelve-hour time limit start now or an hour ago when the envelope was found?” Ty asked.
“We’re not sure.” Nico moved to the other side of Dominic’s desk and inserted the flash drive into his laptop. “Either way, we don’t have time to waste.”
Dominic instructed one of the other men in the room to flip off the lights as he projected his screen onto the large television mounted on the back wall.
We watched the video with growing confusion. Several random clips of disasters happening all over the world streamed across in quick succession. Each clip was quick, no more than three seconds long, and the video only lasted fifteen seconds.
What the hell?
It ended just as quickly as it had begun, and we all stared at the blank screen in stunned silenced.
Dominic scratched his head. “I don’t even know where to begin with this shit.”
Nico tapped the laptop. “Let’s watch it again. I’ll slow down the speed so we can better digest the images.”
“Good idea.” Ty leaned forward in his seat; eyes narrowed at the screen.