Barry had given Rafe time. Too much time.

Month after month, Rafe spiraled — all talk, no payment. He owed thousands, and Barry was done being patient. But he knew one thing: Rafe was too reckless to care about money anymore.

So he went for what Rafe did care about.

You.

He’d seen it — the way Rafe looked at you like you were the only anchor keeping him from going completely off the rails. Barry didn’t need to threaten him. He just needed to take you.

It happened fast.

You were walking home from work, the sky darkening with the last hints of sunset. You didn’t see the black SUV pull up behind you. Didn’t even get the chance to scream.

A rag. The sharp smell of chemicals.

And everything went black.

The call came late.

Rafe was in the middle of pacing the kitchen, jaw tight, mind already caving in on itself. The second Barry’s name lit up his phone, his stomach dropped.

He answered without a word.

Barry’s voice was smug: “You always pay with someone else’s blood, huh? Time to cough up, Cameron. Or she bleeds for you.”

Rafe’s vision went red.

“What the fuck did you do?”

“I took what matters. You’ve been ducking me for almost a year, Rafe. No more games. You want her back? Bring what you owe. And don’t be stupid.”

Click.

The phone slipped from Rafe’s hand.

For once, the high was gone

By midnight, he was in full psycho mode — loaded gun, bloodshot eyes, heart pumping pure fury. He stormed into his dad’s office, tore the safe open, and left a trail of destruction behind him.

He didn’t tell anyone. He didn’t ask for help.

This wasn’t a rescue.

This was a warning.

No one takes what’s his and lives.

The warehouse on the south end was empty except for one room — one single, low-lit space where you were tied to a chair, your head heavy, your breath shallow.

You stirred weakly, vision blurred. You didn’t know what they’d drugged you with, but it made your limbs feel like lead. All you could remember was Barry’s voice:

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. He’ll come. I made sure of it.”

And he did.

The door flew open so violently it cracked the wall. Rafe stormed in like a thunderclap — wild, furious, lethal.