43. Dorian - November
FORTY-THREE
Dorian - November
RUNAWAY - RAMIN DJAWADI
The energy in the room buzzed as we made our way backstage. The concert was everything Gracie had hoped for. Ellie Miles had given one hell of a performance, and now, minutes from meeting her idol, Gracie was practically bouncing on her toes. Her wide eyes gleamed with excitement, and the contagious thrill of the moment was enough to make me smile.
The backstage area was bustling—every corner filled with quick-moving staff, security guards in dark uniforms, and fans in line still buzzing from the concert. The room was full of the sound of conversations and the low hum of background music coming from hidden speakers. Tall walls surrounded us, painted a sterile white that contrasted with the vibrant energy of the crowd.
“Do you think she’ll like me?” Gracie whispered, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her Ellie Miles T-shirt she threw over her outfit.
Noah crouched beside her, offering a reassuring smile. “I think she’ll love you.”
I smiled at their interaction, but something in the air felt off. I glanced around the space, my eyes briefly locking on the security guards stationed at the far ends of the room. Their gazes constantly scanned the crowd, alert and calculating.
Sawyer showed his passes, and a staff member ushered us down a long hallway. After a quick security check, we entered the room where Ellie would be signing autographs and taking photos. The floor was lined with people eagerly waiting their turn to meet the woman they idolized.
Gracie’s grip on my hand tightened as we turned the corner, her breath catching at the sight of the crowd. She was practically vibrating with excitement as we reached the front of the line. The staff signaled for us to approach.
The room itself was full of celebrity glamour and the humdrum of event logistics—glossy promotional posters of Ellie on the tables, with oversized banners behind her, swaying slightly with the air conditioning. Behind the tables, Ellie herself stood like a beacon.
“Next!” a voice rang out, and the six of us moved forward. The woman behind the counter waved a hand. “Three at the table at a time,” she said, glancing at us. Then her gaze shifted to Trent and me. “You three,” she said politely, gesturing to a spot beyond the tables, “if you could wait over there, please.”
Ellie tossed her blonde hair behind her shoulders, greeting Gracie with a radiant smile as Trent, Sawyer, and I walked to where the woman had instructed.
Ellie’s expression lit up at Gracie’s beaming face. Gracie let out a small gasp, and I couldn’t help but grin.
“Hi! What’s your name?” Ellie asked, leaning forward with a warmth that instantly put Gracie at ease.
“G-Gracie!” she squeaked.
Ellie’s smile widened. “Well, Gracie, it’s so nice to meet you. I just love your outfit!”
She reached out to take Gracie’s hand for a photo when another odd prickling sensation washed over me. Something still felt... off. I forced myself to shake it off, to focus on the moment.
“Hey, you have to wait in line until it’s your turn,” a security guard said, his hand hovering over his radio.
I turned to see what was causing the commotion, and my breath caught in my throat.
John .
He was standing next in line. His hair tucked under a low baseball cap, and he’d grown out his facial hair, but that walk, that presence… He was draped in all black, the edges of a VIP badge glinting as it swung from his neck. My heart slammed against my ribs, the world tilting for just a moment as I struggled to process if it could really be him.
“Fine, I’ll wait.”
A chill ran down my spine. My blood went cold. I fought the urge to react, to move, to act.
I couldn’t be sure. Maybe it wasn’t him. Maybe I was overthinking this, overwhelmed and paranoid.
He stood there, arguing with the security guard. I glanced at Noah, trying to gauge if she’d noticed, but she was focused on Gracie, her smile wide, her attention completely on her. Dotty stood next to them, her eyes fixed on Gracie and Ellie. Trent stood next to me, his demeanor alert but unaware, and Sawyer stood beside him.
I clicked my tongue, drawing their attention. Sawyer turned to me, his eyes narrowing as I subtly nodded toward John. Trent tracked the movement, the unspoken message passing between us. Be ready.
They both glanced over, their gazes scanning toward John.
I moved subtly to stand closer to Noah and Gracie, but a guard next to me held his arm out.
“You have to wait here,” he said.
My fists curled at my sides, but I forced myself not to react, barely holding myself in check. I couldn’t make a move without tipping him off.
“Gracie, Noah. Come here.”
Both of them looked at me, confused. Neither moved.
“I’m fine, Daddy,” Gracie said, her voice full of innocence.
Noah’s brows knitted at my clipped tone, but she didn’t press, her focus remaining on Gracie. My mind raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I tried to think of a plan in case this was the worst-case-scenario.
What’s the best way to keep them safe? How can I get them out of here?
As I looked at Gracie, my stomach twisted. She was still starstruck, her eyes wide, completely unaware of the threat just a few feet away.
And then it happened.
John’s eyes flicked to mine, a sharp recognition flashing across his face. In that moment, I knew. I wasn’t imagining things.
He was here.
And this was the endgame.
I went to push past the guard, but he stood in front of me.
“Wait. Here,” he said. “Or I’ll have to escort you out.”
Something dangerous passed through his expression as John ignored the security guard and took a step forward. I knew we were past the point of no return. He was here for something, someone.
And I had an idea who. Noah .
“We need to go.” My heart hammered as I moved closer to Gracie and Noah, my protective instinct kicking into overdrive.
“What? No, not yet!” Gracie protested, her disappointment palpable.
But then his posture shifted, his body tensing as his eyes narrowed, locking onto Gracie. A cold, predatory gleam entered his gaze.
No. Not my daughter. My chest constricted. He wasn’t after Noah. He was after Gracie.
“Now Gracie!”
I knew Gracie was just a kid to him—a weapon, an easy target. A way to punish Noah. To prove he still held the strings, even now.
His gaze lingered on Gracie, his movements calculated.
“ Hey !” the guard shouted as Johns stepped forward. “I said you need to wait your turn.”
I had to stop him. I couldn’t let him hurt her. Not now. Not ever. John’s hand shot into his jacket, and I saw the flash of metal.
Before I could even process it, a guard shouted, “Gun!”
The room erupted into chaos. Two guards pulled out guns, but most were unarmed. They moved quickly, one lunging for John’s arm, trying to wrest the weapon away, while the other pulled a baton, aiming for his wrist.
Gasps rippled through the room, followed by a shrill scream. Chairs scraped against the floor as people scrambled to get out of the way.
I didn’t know how he got a gun past security, but if anyone could do it, it was John. He was too smart, too determined.
And then a gunshot rang out.
The crowd ducked instinctively as the shot echoed through the room. One of the guards lunged toward John again, while the other shielded civilians, shouting for people to move.
“Get down!” the taller guard shouted.
People were moving, stumbling over each other in panic, while John moved closer to Gracie.
Someone tried to move in front of him, but John pointed the gun at them, an unsettling calm in his posture.
The command came. “Lockdown!” a guard shouted into their radio.
“Drop it!” someone commanded.
John’s attention snapped back to me, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “I don’t think so,” he sneered. “Everyone but blondie and the girl, stand over there. Now.”
“No,” I growled, stepping closer to Gracie and Noah, the guard finally preoccupied and allowing me pass.
“You think I’m playing around?” John spat, then shot a guard in the leg, sending him crumpling to the ground.
A sickening gasp swept through the room.
“Gracie!” I shouted, as I lunged to grab her.
John’s hand shot out, grabbing her by the arm and yanking her behind him. A cruel smile twisted his lips as he shifted her under his arm, keeping the gun aimed at anyone who dared move closer.
The sight slammed into me—a raw, gut-wrenching twist of agony that felt like my insides were being torn apart.
“No!” I shouted. But it was too late. Gracie was in his grip.
Then his other arm shot out, clamping around Ellie’s wrist. She stumbled, and a gasp tore from her lips as her eyes locked onto the barrel of the gun.
Everything spiraled into chaos. People were shoving, panicking, running for the exits. Guards moved in but were too slow.
“Let them go!” Sawyer shouted, standing beside me, his eyes fierce, darting between John and Gracie.
John’s grip on the gun tightened, his gaze cold. “Stay back!” he snarled, his gaze moving between us, the barrel of the gun now aimed at Gracie’s trembling form.
My life flashed before my eyes at the sight of my daughter held at gunpoint. It was like the world collapsed in on itself, everything shrinking down to the horrifying image of Gracie, my Gracie , in a murderer’s grip.
“Move and she dies,” he hissed.
Her wide eyes, filled with panic, locked onto mine, searching for reassurance I couldn’t give. I only hoped that she didn’t truly understand the severity of the situation.
I couldn’t breathe. The gun now pressed against her temple, her small body shaking under his arm. All of it. It was as if someone had ripped my heart from my chest.
Every memory, every moment I’d shared with her, rushed through my mind in painful clarity. Her first steps, the way she used to reach for me with her tiny hands when she was scared. The bedtime stories, the laughter, the arguments over silly things like too many snacks. Every single thing I loved about her, everything I promised to protect, now teetering on the edge.
My fists clenched at my sides, powerless to do anything without risking her safety. I’d faced dangerous situations before, but nothing, nothing , prepared me for this kind of fear.
The kind that gripped on the deepest part of your soul and refused to let go. I wanted to rip him apart. I want to tear him apart limb by fucking limb for even thinking about fucking with my daughter.
I heard Trent’s and Sawyer’s voices cutting through the fog, but they didn’t register.
All I could see was Gracie. My mind spiraled as I envisioned her life—graduating school, discovering her passions, living the kind of life Hallie never had the chance to see.
That my mom never had the chance to see.
And here she was, caught in this same nightmare.
John’s fingers twitched, his elbow tightening around Gracie’s torso. I caught his gaze again, that sick smirk playing on his lips.
My body tensed, every instinct telling me to act.
“I’ll take her place,” Noah’s voice cut through the chaos.
“Noah, no!” Dotty yelled, raw with fear, trying to step forward. Trent grabbed hold of her, pulling her back behind him. Sawyer stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Dotty like a human shield.
The moment Noah’s words sank in, something deep inside me ached and tangled with a surge of gratitude. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t waver. She stepped up without a second thought, willing to sacrifice herself for my daughter.
But she wasn’t just offering herself up for Gracie—she was offering herself up for me and everyone that loved my daughter. She was willing to face whatever John had planned, knowing exactly what he had done to his victims. My stomach twisted at the thought. Noah wasn’t just someone who cared about Gracie—she was willing to fight for her, to protect her, the same way I would.
The same way any parent would.
That thought brought both warmth and dread, tangled together in a way I couldn’t comprehend.
Gracie’s wide eyes were glued to mine, her body trembling against John’s cruel hold as he whispered something in her ear. The cold metal of his gun continued to press against her temple, the sharp, silent threat hanging in the air like smoke. I wanted to tear him apart right then and there, but Gracie was too close, her small body caught in the grip of a monster. My heart clenched. I couldn’t act yet.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” John said, the words dripping from his lips like poison. He swung the gun from Gracie’s head to a nearby exit to the left, the cold barrel gleaming under the harsh overhead lights. “I’m going to take these two”—he gestured to Ellie and Gracie—“and walk through that door. Then you all can spend the next hour or so trying to find us.”
“No!” Noah shouted, her face a mask of determination. She took a cautious step toward him, hands raised in surrender. Her gaze never left his. “Let her go. Please. Take me. Take me instead.”
“No,” John yelled. “You need to stay here and suffer.”
“I can’t get a good shot,” the security guard called out from behind the counter. His voice was tense, his gun aimed at John, but his hands were shaking slightly. “Put the gun down now, and we can all walk away from this peacefully.”
“I don’t want peace .” John chuckled, his eyes never leaving Noah as his smirk widened. “So, looks like you really have moved on then, huh?” His words turned cold, venomous. “Already forgot about me? I thought I meant more to you than that, Noah. You surely meant more than that to me.”
Her hands were still raised, her movements slow but deliberate as she took another cautious step forward. “You don’t want her, John. You want me. I’ll come with you. Just let her go.”
John’s laughter reverberated through the small hallway, dark and mocking, sending a chill down my spine. “Look at you,” he sneered, his eyes gleaming with twisted amusement. “How adorable,” he hissed. “Stepping in to try to save his kid. Already probably whored yourself out, haven’t you? Just like the worthless piece of trash you’ve always been.”
I glanced at John, now scanning the guards across the room. Seizing the moment while his attention was elsewhere, I mouthed to Noah, Trust me.
Noah froze at the taunt, her body turning to face me. “I’m going to keep her saf?—”
I cut her off with a shake of my head. “Stop!” I shouted, fists clenched at my sides, burning with the urge to lash out. “You don’t want either of them. Take me.”
I had a much better chance of getting out of this unscathed than Noah—or especially Gracie—did. If he wanted to make Noah suffer, I’d have to find a way to use that to my advantage.
“Dorian,” Noah warned, but I couldn’t stop.
John’s grip on Gracie tightened, his finger twitching near the trigger, while his other hand kept Ellie’s arm locked in place.
His eyes darted to me, and I saw the flicker of uncertainty in them.
That crack? I was going to push through it.
Gracie’s small body trembled, but she didn’t make a sound. Her wide eyes were still trained on me, pleading with every silent breath. I took a step forward.
“Take me,” I repeated, willing my voice to make it all believable. “Let me play this game with you.” I paused, letting out a fake sigh, hoping it came across as genuine. “Look, man… I’ve only gotten close to her because I wanted to get to you. It’s you I want to know, not Noah ,” I spat her name, making sure he could feel the contempt in it. “I want to understand how… how you do it… what it feels like. I want to learn from you.”
I kept my eyes on him, hoping he’d buy it. My stomach twisted, but I kept my gaze fixed, unwilling to show the hesitation eating at me. This was about survival. For Gracie, for Noah.
“Dorian!” Noah shouted. It hit me—this was real. I knew it was real, but then she played along. “How… how could you do this? How could you do this to me?”
“Let’s hurt her,” I said to John. “Let’s hurt her together. Take me and put her through the pain of losing us both.” I hated that my daughter was hearing this, but I know Noah would explain everything to her later. I know Gracie knew me and I just hoped she didn’t fully understand.
His expression remained cold. “I don’t need anyone on my side,” he growled, his grip tightening on the gun. “My plan is already set… But”—he paused, his lips curling into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes—“I must admit, I do like the idea of hurting her together. How do I know you’re not lying?”
John’s eyes narrowed, calculating, and for a brief moment, I could see the conflict flash in his expression. The tension in the air shifted, the seconds stretching out, my heart thundering in my chest. I took another step.
“You don’t, but…” I let the words hang before I took a slow step closer. “But I think you know. You and me? We’re the same. You can see that. I know you can, just like I could always see you, even when we first met.”
John’s grin widened at the exchange, clearly enjoying that. He paused for what seemed like an eternity then continued. “Okay, fine. You can come with me. I don’t care about the girl anyways.” He motioned to Gracie dismissively. “But I do need her," he said, gesturing to Ellie, who stood frozen in fear beside us.
Noah stepped toward him, her hands trembling, but her voice didn’t waver. “John, please—don’t do this.”
John’s grip on Gracie tightened, the gun now aimed at her temple, and he hissed, “Stay where you are!”
The room seemed to freeze, but my focus never left Gracie, never left her terrified eyes.
“Come here,” he ordered, his tone sickly sweet. “Come here and I will let her go.”
“Follow his instructions,” the security guard said firmly, nodding in approval of the switch.
Gracie’s body shook, but she didn’t make a sound. “Daddy, I’m scared,” she whispered, barely audible.
“You’ll be okay,” I whispered back. I wanted to say more. I needed to say more, but I had to keep this narrative alive.
The tension built, thick as the air around us, and John coaxed, “Just step closer, and we can make it easy.”
But I didn’t care about making it easy. I cared about getting her safe.
I stepped within his reach, and John’s hand pushed Gracie aside as he pointed the gun directly at my temple, a sickening smile spreading across his face. She fled to Noah, sobbing.
And then, just like that, Gracie’s safety was no longer the focus.
For a fleeting moment, my body relaxed, grateful that my daughter was finally safe.
Even if I was the one in jeopardy now.
He turned back to Noah, his lips curling into a cruel, twisted grin. “You really thought I wouldn’t notice, huh?” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “That I wouldn’t find you hiding out in that pathetic little town? That I wouldn’t see you cozying up to him?” He spat the words, venom in his eyes. “You refused to ever travel with me, couldn’t even give me that time to help keep me in check, but then you move to that town for what? For him?”
Gracie clung to Noah, her tiny hands gripping her shirt. Noah wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly as she whispered soothingly, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.” Her fragile frame trembled against Noah, and I could feel the desperation radiating from both of them.
John’s grin widened, and then his gaze locked onto Ellie, who stood beside us. His eyes narrowed, calculating his next move. He raised the gun, the cold barrel pointed at Ellie, and gestured with a tilt of his head.
“Let’s go,” he said, his tone thick with malice. “You’re coming with me. We’re going to take a little trip through the tunnels.”
As the words left his mouth, security yelled, “Stop right there, and drop your weapon now!”
Two guards, weapons raised, stood firm, waiting for the right moment to fire. The air was thick with tension, but John’s laugh cut through the silence.
“Oh, shut up, will ya?” he sneered, and without hesitation, he fired. The first shot rang out, quick and brutal, striking one of the guards. The second shot followed almost instantly, silencing the second.
“Move, now! Both of you,” John barked, the barrel of his gun shifting between Ellie and me as he shoved us forward.
Ellie’s eyes widened with fear, her words trembling as she protested. “You can’t do this!” But John’s grip never faltered, his control absolute.
“Get moving,” he ordered, his tone cold and final as he shoved us toward the entrance of the tunnel. “Or I swear, I’ll make this a lot worse for everyone.”
I felt a surge of helplessness and fury as Noah’s voice rang out, filled with defiance. “You won’t get away with this.”
John turned to catch her gaze, the cruel glint in his eyes sending a chill through me. “That’s exactly the point.”
With that, he dragged us into the dark shadows of the tunnel, his gun always trained on us, and his grip tight on both Ellie and me as we were swallowed by the darkness.