Revealing truth

Jessica’s POV

As Victor observed me, his icy grin remained unwavering. His command hung in the air like an ominous cloud, smothering all possibility of escape.

"All right, Jessica? What will it be? Victor spoke in a soothing, almost playful tone.

I looked at David and drew a trembling breath. He fixed his ferocious, unblinking gaze on mine. I couldn't leave him despite everything, including the secrets and the lies.

With a shaky but determined voice, I declared, "I won't betray him."

Victor's grin turned to a sneer instead. "Stupid girl." He looked at his guys. "Death her."

There was anarchy. David leapt to action and killed the closest guard as gunfire erupted around the room.

“Get down, Jessica!” He yelled.

As bullets flew past me, I fell to the ground, my pulse racing. David's movements were deadly and precise, and he battled like a man possessed.

Victor's troops rushed in, but David persisted. He came to me and took hold of my arm.

He urged me to stay close as he drew me to the door.

Victor's voice cut through the commotion. "Avoid letting them get away!"

More men entered the room, obstructing our way. With his gun blazing, David pushed me behind him.

"There are too many of them, David!" I sobbed.

He hissed, leaving no room for debate, "I'm not leaving without you."

Debris flew as the building was rocked by an unexpected explosion. We were able to elude the guards and enter the darkness with the help of the smoke.

The tension between us was strong and unsaid as the automobile drove through the nighttime streets. I was at my breaking point.

"What did you see back there?" I turned to David and demanded. "You were referred to as Victor's brother. Is that accurate?

David's hands gripped the steering wheel as his jaw tensed. "Jessica, not right now."

"Yes, right now!" I lost my temper. "I deserve the truth because I just put my life in danger for you."

With a groan, he kept his gaze fixed on the road. "It's difficult."

I crossed my arms and whispered, "Try me."

David shut off the engine and parked the vehicle in a quiet alley. His shoulders tensed as he sat there for a while.

"Victor is my half-brother," he finally acknowledged.

The remarks were like a kick to the stomach. "What kept you from telling me?"

His voice was harsh as he stated, "Because it doesn't matter." "I'm not related to Victor. Not in any significant way.

"It is important to me," I stated. "David, you've been hiding things. How can I be sure I can trust you?

At that moment, his eyes were filled with something I couldn't quite identify. Feeling guilty? Feeling sorry?

He muttered, "I didn't want you involved in this." "I believed that by keeping you in the dark, I could keep you safe."

"Keep me safe?" I gave a sour laugh. "Your secrets nearly led to my death tonight!"

I resisted David's attempt to take my hand. "Please, Jessica. Now I'll tell you. Allow me to explain, please.

I paused, wanting to comprehend but also feeling angry. "All right. Commence at the beginning.

David ran a hand over his hair while leaning back in his chair. Years before I was born, my father, William, had an affair with Victor's mother. Victor was devastated when he learned. He held my family responsible for everything, including his father's shortcomings, his mother's passing, and the breakdown of his own life.

"And you?" I asked quietly.

David tightened his jaw. He detested me right away. I served as a constant reminder of all he had lost. And after my mom passed away... His voice trailed off, and he inhaled deeply. "He vowed to ruin everything I held dear."

Despite my wrath, my heart ached as I gazed at him. "Therefore, this war is personal."

"Yes," David acknowledged. However, it goes beyond that. Victor's empire was founded on deceit and violence. Not just myself, but everyone is in danger from him.

"And me?" I muttered. "Am I merely a pawn in this game?"

David's gaze grew softer. "No, Jessica. You are not a pawn. The only thing that gives me hope that life is greater than this battle is you.

His meaning-laden remarks lingered in the atmosphere. Even though I wanted to believe him, my doubts persisted.

I walked the room back to the safehouse, my thoughts racing. Given the risks associated with David, could I stay with him?

I was startled out of my reverie by a knock on the door. David came in, his face reserved.

He said, "We need to talk."

"How about?" I crossed my arms and asked.

"about us. About the next course of action.

I sat down and gestured for him to go on.

He started by saying, "I know this isn't the life you wanted." "And if you wanted to leave, I wouldn't blame you."

I gazed at him, taken aback by his candour. "You're offering me an option?"

David gave a nod. Jessica, you've always had an option. All I can hope is that you decide to stay.

Seeking the truth, I gazed into his eyes. I knew one thing despite everything: I loved him. Perhaps even adored him. Was that sufficient, though?

The buzzing of David's phone interrupted my response. He scowled as he responded.

"What's that?" he growled.

Whatever was said darkened his face, but I couldn't hear the other person.

He hung up after muttering, "Victor."

"What took place?" I inquired.

"War has been declared," David replied somberly. "He's coming for everything that matters to me."

I felt the weight of what he had said.

Would I be another victim of David's conflict, or could I live in his world? Although I was unsure of the response, I was certain that Victor was not finished with us. By no means.

Following David's declaration, there was a suffocating stillness between us. As though waiting for Victor to show up at any second, he stood by the window and gazed into the darkness. His shoulders were tense, and I could see the storm building within him.

I whispered, "David," to break the hush. "Now what?"

His eyes were impenetrable as he turned to face me. "We get ready. Victor doesn't threaten people pointlessly. He will attack us fiercely and employ every weapon at his disposal.

"And how does that affect me?" I inquired. "Am I a liability in this whole situation?"

David took a step forward, his eyes unwavering. Jessica, you're not a liability. My strength is you. I won't lie to you, though: things will get worse before they get better.

I took a deep breath. "More awful than tonight?"

He gave a sad nod. Victor is a fan of chaos. He understands how much you mean to me, therefore he will come get you.

I felt as though his words were pressing down on me. I recalled Victor's demand for my treachery and the bitterness in his voice. He intended to destroy everyone and everything important to him, not just David.

"Then instruct me," I abruptly responded.

David scowled. "Teach you what?"

"How can I defend myself?" I stated forcefully. "You always have to help the damsel in distress, and I don't want that. I want to be prepared in case Victor comes for me.

David's expression flashed something—possibly respect. "Are you certain? There is no turning back once you enter this planet.

I said, "I'm already in it." "I might as well defend myself."

David's jaw was fixed as he nodded. "All right. Tomorrow is when we begin.

His phone buzzed once more before he could continue. As he read the message this time, his face grew even more serious.

"What is it?" I feared the response as I asked.

"They've located us," he whispered in a menacingly low voice.

My heart stopped beating. "Winner?"

David's expression turned to stone as he met my gaze. "His men are en route already."

As reality set me, I felt the blood drain from my face. Neither here nor anywhere else were we safe.

My stomach dropped when I heard tyres screeching outside in the distance. They were present. And there was no way out this time.