The air inside the mall grew heavier as the hours stretched on. The once-loud sobs of the hostages had faded into tired sniffles and quiet murmurs. Outside the store, the city was oblivious to what was happening inside—no police sirens, no rescue coming. Just silence.
Sera sat still, her notepad tucked against her chest as she listened to the muffled sound of the gang moving supplies. Blankets had been tossed to the hostages earlier, a small mercy that did little to ease the fear gripping the room.
Night had fallen.
She felt it in her bones.
Dre stood near the entrance of the store, speaking quietly with one of the other gang members. His posture was relaxed, but his presence was impossible to ignore. He had never gone far from her since the lockdown began, and now, as he turned back toward her, she knew something was about to change.
He walked over, his dark eyes unreadable beneath the low lighting. Without a word, he reached down, gripping her upper arm gently but firmly.
Sera didn’t resist as he pulled her to her feet.
Some of the hostages glanced up, their eyes filled with curiosity and fear. But no one said anything.
Dre led her out of the main area, his grip secure but not painful. As they walked deeper into the mall, she realized where he was taking her—away from the others.
Somewhere secluded.
Her stomach twisted, but she kept her face blank.
They passed through dim hallways, past shuttered stores and overturned merchandise. The once-lively mall was now a ghost town, the only sounds coming from the distant murmurs of gang members securing different areas.
Finally, Dre pushed open a door, revealing a dimly lit room.
It was a luxury department store’s backroom—an executive lounge meant for VIP shoppers. A large, expensive-looking bed sat in the center of the room, the silk sheets still perfectly made. There was a couch, a small bar area, and plush carpeting beneath their feet.
Dre released her arm and shut the door behind them.
The lock clicked.
Sera turned to face him, her hands curling into the fabric of her hoodie. She didn’t need words to ask the question in her eyes.
Why?
Dre exhaled, rolling his shoulders. “Ain’t safe out there,” he muttered, nodding toward the door. “Some of my guys… they get bored. They get ideas.”
Sera swallowed.
She knew what he meant.
She lowered her gaze and slowly sat on the edge of the bed, her belly resting between her legs.
Dre leaned against the wall, watching her for a moment before pulling off his gloves and setting them on the nearby table. His large hands flexed, the calloused skin rough against the dim lighting.
“You good?” he asked suddenly.
Sera hesitated, then nodded.
Dre’s gaze flickered to her notepad. “Write it.”
She sighed, pulling it from her pocket and jotting down a single word.
“Fine.”
Dre snorted, crossing his arms. “Lyin’ again.”
Before she could respond, a commotion echoed from down the hall. Voices rising, tense and sharp.
Dre’s eyes darkened. He pushed off the wall and strode toward the door, unlocking it in one smooth motion.
Sera heard it before she saw it.
Tony’s voice.
She stiffened.
Dre opened the door just as two gang members shoved a struggling man and woman into the hallway. Tony and Vanessa.
Sera’s breath caught in her throat.
Tony looked the same—same messy brown skin, same short fade, same nervous, twitchy energy. His face was pale with fear, his eyes darting wildly. He barely had time to register the situation before his gaze locked onto Sera.
His entire body froze.
Vanessa, on the other hand, took one look at Sera sitting on the bed and scoffed.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
Dre raised a hand, silencing them both. His dark eyes flickered toward Sera before settling back on Tony.
“What’s the problem?” he asked coolly.
One of the gang members—an older man with a jagged scar along his jaw—grunted. “This one’s been runnin’ his mouth too much. Kept askin’ about her.” He jabbed a thumb toward Sera.
Dre’s expression remained unreadable, but something shifted in the air.
Tony swallowed thickly, his hands shaking. “I just—” His voice cracked. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
Vanessa let out a humorless laugh. “Oh, now you care? Please.”
Sera didn’t move. Didn’t blink.
Dre stepped forward, towering over Tony with ease. His head tilted slightly. “And why’s that?”
Tony hesitated.
Dre’s voice dropped lower. “Why you so worried about her, huh?”
Vanessa smirked. “Because he’s guilty.”
Tony snapped his head toward her, panic flashing in his eyes. “Shut up, Vanessa.”
But it was too late.
Dre looked between them, piecing things together. His gaze slid back to Sera.
She met his stare, her expression blank.
Then, slowly, she lifted her notepad and wrote something.
One word.
“Betrayed.”
Dre exhaled through his nose, his jaw tightening slightly.
Tony’s breath came faster. “Sera, listen—”
Dre moved before Tony could finish.
In one swift motion, he grabbed Tony by the collar and slammed him against the nearest wall. The impact rattled the shelves, making Vanessa stumble backward with a yelp.
Sera flinched but stayed still.
Dre leaned in close, his deep voice a quiet warning. “What did you do to her?”
Tony’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came.
Dre’s grip tightened. “What did you do?”
Sera’s heartbeat pounded against her ribs.
She already knew Dre wasn’t a good man.
But right now, she wasn’t sure if that scared her—or comforted her.
Because for the first time in years, someone was making Tony answer for what he’d done.
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