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I whip my head around to face him, my brow furrowed in frustration. The safety of Annalise is paramount—everything else can wait. “Nothing comes before finding Annalise,” I assert, my words laced with steel. “The rehearsal dinner can be postponed.”
“Of course.” The guard nods quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Cassius, who was quiet for a moment, finally speaks up. “You’re right, Damian. Annalise’s safety is more important.” His voice is steady, but I can see the turmoil in his eyes, a storm brewing beneath the surface.
“Stay focused, brother,” I say, gripping his shoulder in reassurance. “We will find her.”
“Thank you, Damian,” he murmurs, swallowing hard as he straightens up, attempting to regain control of his emotions. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Likewise,” I reply, clapping him on the back before turning my attention back to the task at hand.
My mind races with thoughts of Annalise, her safety, and how I refuse to let history repeat itself. I won’t lose her like I lost Mikayla. I can’t.
Cassius looks me dead in the eyes before giving a solemn nod, signifying our unspoken understanding and unity in the mission to find Annalise. The weight of her safety lies heavily on both our shoulders.
“Let’s get to work,” I say, my voice filled with determination as I pull up the surveillance footage on the screens before us, searching for any clue that might lead us to Annalise.
As we scan through the images, my thoughts drift back to Mikayla, her lifeless eyes haunting me like a specter refusing to let go. I clench my fists at the memory, anger and grief surging through my veins like wildfire. And yet, despite the pain, I can’t afford to let these emotions consume me—not when Annalise is out there, potentially in danger.
“Damian, focus,” Cassius urges, snapping me out of my reverie. His words are gentle but firm, reminding me of the task at hand.
“Right. Focus,” I repeat to myself, forcing my mind back to the present. Every fiber of my being tells me I have to protect Annalise, to save her from the fate that befell Mikayla. I won’t let history repeat itself; I refuse to lose another person I care about.
“Check the south entrance,” I instruct one of the guards while scouring the footage myself, my heart pounding in my chest as though it’s trying to escape. The urgency of finding Annalise consumes me, threatening to shatter the fragile composure I’m struggling to maintain.
“Anything?” Cassius asks, his voice laced with desperation.
“Nothing yet,” I reply, frustration mounting as the minutes tick by. Time is slipping through our fingers, and with each passing moment, I can feel the grip of despair tightening around my throat.
“Wait! There!” Cassius exclaims, pointing to a figure appearing on one of the screens. I can feel my heart skip a beat as I recognize Annalise in the grainy footage.
“Finally,” I breathe, relief washing over me like a tidal wave. But within seconds, that relief is replaced with a new rush of anxiety—we still don’t know where she is or if she’s safe.
“Track her movements,” I command the guards, my voice steely and resolute. “We need to find her before it’s too late.”
As we follow Annalise through the labyrinth of surveillance images, I can’t help but be reminded of Mikayla and the crushing weight of guilt that still lingers in my chest. The memory of her loss threatens to overwhelm me, but I shove it aside, focusing all my energy on the task at hand.
“Damian, I promise you, we’ll find Annalise,” Cassius reassures me, his hand gripping my shoulder for support.
“We have to,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. I can’t lose her—not like I lost Mikayla. There’s a fierce determination burning inside me, fueled by the memories of past failures and the hope that this time, I can make a difference.
“Let’s go,” I say, steeling myself for whatever lies ahead. “We’re bringing Annalise home.”
The dim light from the surveillance room casts eerie shadows across the faces of my guards as they work tirelessly to trace the black car. I clench my fists, the cold sweat on my palms betraying my anxiety. I can’t shake the image of Annalise in that cemetery, and the nagging fear that she might slip through my fingers.
“Damian,” Cassius murmurs, his voice strained with concern. “You need to calm down. We’ll find her.”
“Easy for you to say,” I snap back, immediately regretting my harsh tone. I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. “I just…I can’t lose her too, Cass.”
“Hey,” he says gently, his eyes locking on mine as if trying to anchor me to sanity. “We’ve got this. We’re going to bring her home safe and sound.”
I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. But still, my mind races, Mikayla’s lifeless eyes haunting me. The weight of grief threatens to crush me, but I push it aside, focusing all my energy on finding Annalise.
“Boss, we’ve got something!” one of the guards shouts, drawing my attention to the screens. He points to an intersection where the black car is barely visible as it speeds away.
“Where’s that?” I demand, my heart pounding in anticipation.
“South side of town, near the docks,” he replies, his fingers flying across the keyboard.
