Zayn's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered instantly.
"Where is she?!" he shouted.
Adrian's cold laugh came through.
"Easy, brother."
"She's alive. For now."
Zayn clenched his jaw.
"What do you want?"
"Come to the old dockyard," Adrian said.
"Midnight."
"Come alone."
"No police. No guards."
"One mistake…"
"And she dies."
The call ended.
Zayn's Decision
Ryan grabbed his arm.
"It's a trap!"
"I know," Zayn replied.
"But I'm going."
"She's carrying my child."
"I won't risk her life."
He picked up a gun.
Checked it once.
Twice.
Ryan looked at him.
"Then I'm coming too."
Zayn shook his head.
"If you follow me… he'll kill her."
Ryan's fists tightened.
"…Be careful."
At the Dockyard
Midnight.
Fog covered the water.
Old containers.
Broken lights.
Silent.
Zayn walked alone.
Hands empty.
Heart burning.
"Ayesha!" he called.
A spotlight turned on.
She was tied to a chair.
Weak.
Pale.
Alive.
Relief hit him.
Then—
Adrian stepped out.
Clapping.
"Brave," he said.
"Very brave."
"Let her go," Zayn demanded.
Adrian laughed.
"After everything you took from me?"
"You ruined my life."
Zayn stepped closer.
"Take me instead."
"Kill me if you want."
"Just free her."
Ayesha cried.
"No! Don't!"
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"How romantic."
He raised his gun.
Pointed at Ayesha.
"On your knees."
Zayn froze.
Slowly…
He knelt.
"Good," Adrian said.
"Now beg."
Zayn lowered his head.
"Please," he whispered.
"Spare her."
Suddenly—
A gunshot.
BANG!
Chaos exploded.
Police sirens wailed.
Lights flashed.
Ryan had called backup.
Adrian shouted, "Traitor!"
Men fired.
Zayn ran.
Bullets flew.
He reached Ayesha.
Cut her ropes.
Pulled her close.
"I'm here," he whispered.
Another shot rang out.
Adrian fell to his knees.
Blood on his chest.
But he smiled.
"It's… not over…"
Ayesha suddenly screamed.
"Zayn… my stomach… it hurts…"
Blood spread on her clothes.
And she collapsed in his arms.