2024-12-12 01:33:59
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From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 88. Helpless Romantic
Van had to take a moment to understand what Ivy meant by her statement. "No." He said firmly. "Ivy, I made a mistake, I know I did. But you can't break up with me, not because of this. I am sorry, I was an asshole, I should have talked to you, I should have told you the truth, I don't know why I didn't. But I swear to you, there is absolutely nothing between us.""Van, that still isn't a clear answer.""Okay, you're right. Look, I met her at the grocery store and she helped me pick the milk when I told you I'd go shopping that day, and when she tried to ask for my number, I clearly told her that I was married and didn't want anything to do with her. But I don't know if she's trailing me but I've been running into her almost everywhere. Honestly, it's tiring. I am so sorry I didn't say anything when you asked. I should have told you about her right from the first day, I just never thought she would be a persistent problem.""So she's just another Chris?""Yeah, I guess.""Van, I'm sor
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 89. Girl's Secret
"What?!""I know, it's a big deal. Jasper said he doesn't like the fact that he has to ask me for money whenever he needs it, so I thought, 'why not operate on a joint account?' that way, he wouldn't have to ask me when he needs money.""Wait, I don't understand. Why does he ask you for money?""I already told you, his parents are trying to teach him a lesson on discipline, they're not giving him enough money. I really think that's stupid by the way. Why restrict your son's account just because you want to teach him something?"Ivy had to act fast, if they opened a joint account, there would be no stopping him from taking all her money, and he'd just disappear. But she couldn't come out and say something like that without proof. "Macy, let's tell Van." If Van was aware, she would be able to tell him her worries about Jasper, and he might be able to help. "What? No. Ivy, you promised.""No Macy, hear me out. If I tell Van, I know how I'm going to convince him so he'll be on your side
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 90. Unwanted Guest
"Ugh, why am I so bored without Ivy?" Van laid on the couch, staring at the ceiling in utter boredom. Ivy had been gone for barely an hour, and yet he felt like he had been alone for the whole day. He wanted to text her or maybe give her a call to know when she would be back, but he eventually decided not to. Maybe he wouldn't think about her so much if he took a nap. He closed his eyes but he knew he couldn't fall asleep that easily. He heard someone at the door and immediately shot up. "Ivy?" He practically ran to the door, expecting to see her smiling face but he was disappointed when he saw the smirking face of someone else. "What are you doing here?"The only reply he got was a slight giggle. "I thought I already made myself clear that I don't want you around me. You really are pushing it, Cynthia.""Relax big guy, I only came here to tell you something."When she spoke, the first thing that hit Van was the strong stench of alcohol. She was drunk, and that could be troubles
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 91. Scheming
When he heard Ivy's voice, he immediately pushed Cynthia off, and shot to his feet. Finally he understood her plan, she must have spotted Ivy approaching the house, so she decided to pull that devious stunt. "Oh wow, I don't think I've had this much fun with a guy in a while. Van, you sure are something." Cynthia smiled, licking her lips, then she shifted her gaze to Ivy. "Oh, you're here. Sorry you had to find out like this but, Van and I are having sex. And it's more than that, he loves me." She giggled at Ivy's frowning face. "Van, why the hell is there a naked girl in our house?" There was no hint of anger in Ivy's voice, but Van could see it in her eyes that she was pissed. He turned to look at Lia and that was when he noticed what she was wearing, nothing. She wore a flared mini skirt with nothing underneath, and a bikini top. "Ivy, it's not what you think." He didn't know if she would believe him, heck if he was the one who saw her with a half naked man, he would have his
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 92. Not Good Enough
"I thought long and hard about what you said," Macy said, staring out the window. "Jasper is not going to like it when he finds out but, I guess it's worth a try since you said you'll talk to Van." She turned her attention to Ivy when she didn't get a reply. "Hey, did you hear me? I said I'm willing to do things your way now. We can tell Van." "Oh that's awesome. Did you tell Jasper?" "Oh my God, Ivy, did you even hear a word I said?" Ivy only stared blankly at her face so she continued. "I said I know Jasper's not going to like it when he finds out… so that means I didn't tell him." "Oh okay, that's good." Ivy hadn't been able to get the drama with Cynthia out of her mind. She still found it annoying and somewhat absurd that a stranger was completely swooned by a man to the extent that she would go to such lengths. Her words seemed to ring in Ivy's head. 'He doesn't love you.' She had never been doubtful of Van's affection towards her. More recently, he almost felt like an
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 93. The Replacement
"Cynthia, it seems you might not be good enough for this job." "What?""So I have made the decision to replace you.""What?!"Cynthia had never failed in seducing a man or separating a couple before, it was what she knew how to do best. Now Chris was trying to replace her. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, you're probably just losing your touch, that's all." Chris said nonchalantly. "Oh and not to worry, I have no intention of collecting the payment I made to you. Consider that as a… bonus for the time you spent.""I can break him, I just know I can!""There is no shame in losing Cynthia , give this one up.""No! I'm good at what I do, I'm the best. Who could possibly replace me?""Funny you should ask," he took out his phone and made a call. "Let her in."Almost immediately, the door pushed open and a slender, curvy woman walked in. "Cynthia , I'm sure you're familiar with Sandra."Cynthia's eyes widened as she saw her. She was immediately filled with nostalgic memories and feeling
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 94. Desperate
"Fancy running into you here."Cynthia almost choked on her soda when she heard Sandra's voice. The voice that had swept her off her feet. The voice she had completely fallen for. The voice that made her heart tremble when she heard it. "H-hey." She managed to say. "What are you doing here all by yourself? Shouldn't you be spending time with your friends?" She didn't give Cynthia a chance to reply before she went on. "Then again, I'm sure you don't have any friends. Just like back then, you're probably still a lonely weirdo, and that's the reason you agreed to take Chris's job. To while away your time. Am I right?The beautiful but lonely Cynthia was so bored of her ordinary, uninteresting life, so she decided to become a seductress. That way you won't have to be bored, and you can make a few bucks off Chris. It's sad. I don't blame you though. I can only imagine how tough your life must be. No friends, no lover. I mean, after everything you even failed to seduce just one man. I
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 95. The Encounter
"Yoo hoo!" Cynthia smiled and waved at Van, trying to get his attention. Van, who had already spotted her even before she saw him, pretended like he wasn't the one she was talking to. The second he laid eyes on her, he turned and started to rush off in the opposite direction. Cynthia was never one to take no for an answer, so she started to run after him. Just as he was about to get on the bus, she caught up to him and grabbed a hold of his sleeve. "Good morning." She said with a bright smile on her face. "What do you want this time? I'm honestly sick and tired of you randomly popping up out of nowhere and making my life difficult." He had a dry expression on his face as he spoke. "Oh come on, are you still upset about last time? Well don't be. This time I actually have something important to say to you.""Yeah, just like you did the last time too. Just leave me the hell alone, and stay away from Ivy as well." He started to walk away when she spoke up. "Aren't you tired of havin
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228. Counterstrike
The first sign came quiet. Too quiet.Carla’s laptop froze mid-search.The screen flickered once, then died.She cursed under her breath, smacking the side."That’s not normal," she muttered.But by the time she turned to call Van, the lights in the safehouse cut out too.Dark.Total dark.Van's instincts snapped awake.He grabbed Boyd by the collar, yanked him back from the window."Down. Now."A second later, the glass exploded inward — a single sniper round carving through where Boyd’s head had been.Dan was already rolling for the back door, weapon drawn.But he barely made it two steps before the walls shuddered — an explosion outside, close enough to rattle the whole building."They're here!" Dan bellowed."Barron's men — they’re hitting us now!"Louisa screamed, clutching the flash drive like it was her last tether to life.Carla grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the back.Her voice was sharp but tight with fear."Move! Go! Go!"Van grabbed the rifle from under the couch — o
227. The Leak
By dawn, the first leak was already live.A small, half-forgotten blog out of Riverside — City Watchdog — dropped the bomb.No flashy headlines. No screaming sirens.Just cold facts: financial records, timestamps, and the name of a sitting state senator wired half a million from one of Barron’s shell companies.No context. No accusation, just enough to light the fuse.Van watched the post go viral in real time.At first, nobody cared. Then, somewhere around seven AM, a bigger account picked it up — a political gossip page with just enough clout to make people squint.By noon, national blogs were calling it "The Slush Fund Scandal."At around two PM, the senator’s office released a frantic denial.That’s when Van knew they’d drawn blood.Boyd let out a bark of laughter when the news hit the TV in the safehouse."Look at them squirm! Man, they thought they were gods. Now they’re crying on camera like school kids who were caught cheating."Dan just grunted, never looking away from the wi
226. The Accountant's Secret
The safehouse smelled like old coffee and fear when Louisa Martin finally showed up.She came alone, wrapped in a cheap raincoat two sizes too big, hair hidden under a beanie.Her eyes darted everywhere — ceiling corners, dark windows, even the cracks in the floor like they might bite her.Van watched her quietly from across the room, arms folded.She looked nothing like the sharp financial shark Keller described.This woman was frayed at the edges, like someone who hadn’t slept properly in months.Keller made the introductions. "Louisa. This is Van. Van — Louisa."Louisa’s voice was brittle as glass. "I know who he is."Her eyes flicked to Van, then away again like looking at him too long might get her killed.Van didn’t bother with small talk, time was blood now. "You worked for Barron, that means you know where the bodies are buried. You talk — I make sure you stay breathing.You stay quiet — and you’ll be next on his list."Louisa’s laugh was short and humorless."Sweetheart, I’ve
225. Next Move
By mid-morning, Van couldn’t step outside without seeing his own face staring back from every screen.Some called him a vigilante.Others spat the word criminal like poison.But the city was buzzing, and Barron’s name was finally dragged through the dirt alongside his own.Van didn’t care about the headlines. He cared about the numbers Carla showed him — accounts traced, shell companies linked, wires exposed like raw nerves.Money. That’s where they would cut next.She tapped the screen, her nail chipped and trembling slightly."See this? Phoenix Holdings. Looks clean on the outside, but dig deeper and it’s washing Barron’s trafficking money through luxury imports. Art, watches, cars—hell, probably gold toilets for his mansion."Van grunted. His mind wasn’t on art.It was on Lenny, still fighting for his life three floors up."You said we could burn him financially. How?"Carla smirked, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She looked as tired as he felt."We leak it. Quiet first — to the rig
224. First Blood
The attack came at dawn.Silent. Surgical. Cruel.Lenny never saw it coming. He was stepping out of his apartment, headed to meet Van at the old mill, when the van screeched up.Three men in black masks.No words — just steel pipes and fists.Neighbors heard the commotion but kept their doors shut.Everyone knew better. When Barron’s men came calling, you looked away.By the time the van peeled off, Lenny lay in a broken heap, blood pooling beneath his head.His niece’s picture, which he always carried in his pocket, fluttered to the ground, soaked red.★★★Van got the call an hour later.Nora's voice shook."They nearly killed him, Van. Lenny’s in ICU. Skull fractures, broken ribs. They meant to send a message."Van stood frozen in the middle of Keller’s living room, heart pounding like a war drum.Carla looked up from her laptop, face pale."This is escalation. Barron’s going full scorched earth now. If we don’t hit back hard—"Van was already moving.★★★At the hospital, Lenny lay
223. Raising An Army
Van’s phone buzzed just past midnight, it was an unknown number but he answered without hesitation.A familiar voice, rough and low, crackled through."You said if we ever wanted payback, we should call. Well, we’re calling."It was Lenny — an old cellmate from the prison days. A man who’d lost his niece to the same trafficking chain Bianca had just escaped.Van’s chest tightened."Where are you?""Abandoned mill off 43rd Street. And we’re not alone."Van grabbed his jacket and keys.This was the sign he’d been waiting for.★★★The mill was a ruin of rust and cracked windows, but inside, the air was electric.Dozens of faces turned when Van stepped in.Ex-cons, street runners and women with haunted eyes — survivors of Barron’s network.At the front stood Lenny, his massive arms crossed over his chest. Beside him, a thin woman with a scar along her jaw — Nora, who had once testified and then vanished from public sight.Van took it in: a gathering of the discarded and the damned.People
222. Barron Retaliates
The news broke before dawn. Grainy footage leaked online — flashing lights at the docks, bodies being loaded into ambulances, women wrapped in blankets, their faces blurred.The headlines screamed in bold:Human Trafficking Ring Busted in Dramatic Night Raid.But behind the headlines, in dark rooms far from the public eye, powerful men were already plotting their revenge.Van sat beside Bianca's hospital bed, watching her chest rise and fall. She was sedated, her body too battered and exhausted to stay conscious for long but she was alive.That simple fact kept him breathing.Keller stood near the door, on the phone with someone high up — probably trying to keep this operation from exploding into a political scandal.Carla scrolled through her tablet, her face grim."They’re already spinning this," she muttered. "Barron’s people are leaking stories that this was a rogue smuggling crew. Small-time. Not connected to him."Van’s jaw clenched."Typical. Burn the pawns, protect the king."
221. Final Hunt
The storm hadn’t let up by morning.Thunder rolled over the city like distant gunfire as Van paced the length of Keller’s safehouse, phone clutched in a death grip.The message replayed in his mind over and over:"Transfer complete. Barron expects the shipment before Friday."Today was Thursday.That meant they had less than twenty-four hours to find Bianca before she vanished — maybe forever.Carla spread a map on the table, jabbing her finger at different points marked in red."These are known drop sites tied to Barron’s network. Truck yards. Private airstrips. Warehouses near the docks. If they’re moving her, it’s through one of these routes."Van stopped pacing, leaned over the map."Which one?"Carla’s mouth pressed into a thin line."If I knew that, we’d already be on the road."Keller stormed in from the other room, phone to his ear."No, I don’t care if it’s off the books—pull every asset we have! She’s out there, and I want eyes on every exit point in this city!"He ended the
220. The Raid
The black SUV tore through the city streets, weaving between cars and running red lights.Rain slapped against the windshield in heavy sheets, turning the world into a blur of lights and shadows.Van sat in the passenger seat, jaw tight, fingers tapping a restless rhythm on his knee.Beside him, Keller drove like a man possessed, silent and focused.Carla sat in the back, double-checking the blueprints of the warehouse on her tablet."Franklin and Third," she muttered."Two floors. Old textile plant. Abandoned for years. No security cameras, no neighbors — perfect place to stash someone."Van’s stomach twisted.It was too perfect.He kept flashing back to Vance’s words: If they think you’re coming, they’ll move her—or worse.He couldn't afford to think about what worse meant.Not now.Not when they were this close.They arrived in less than fifteen minutes.The warehouse loomed out of the mist like a dead thing — gray, crumbling, windows shattered, rust eating through the metal doors.
