♣ CHAPTER 38 ♣
Tina sat across from Raymond, her hands wrapped around the wine glass. The restaurant was quiet, dim lights hanging low, and only two other couples were scattered in the far corners. Raymond raised a brow.
"Why here?" he asked, looking around.
Tina gave a small smile. "I just wanted something quiet. No noise. No distractions. Just us."
He leaned back in his seat, suspicious. "But you hate quiet places."
"I've changed," she said. "Maybe I just want to know the man I'm dating. Deeply."
Raymond narrowed his eyes. "You're acting strange, Tina."
"I'm not," she replied softly. "Can't we just talk? For once, like normal people."
Raymond leaned forward. "Okay. Let's talk. What exactly do you want to know?"
She bit her lip, her fingers tapping the edge of the glass. "Where are you really from, Raymond?"
He paused. "You already know I grew up in Houston."
She shook her head. "No. I want the truth. The full truth."
Raymond's eyes darkened. "Why now?"
Tina's smile faded. "Because something doesn't feel right. The secrets. The way you disappear. The way you watch people. I feel like I don't know you at all."
He leaned closer. "Tina, if you're going to accuse me of something, just say it."
"I'm not accusing," she said. "I'm just asking."
Raymond looked away. "Let's not ruin tonight."
"I'm not trying to ruin it," she whispered. "I'm trying to understand."
He sighed, then reached out to hold her hand. "I care about you, Tina. I really do. Don't spoil it with doubt."
She looked down, nodding slightly. Then her eyes moved to the mirror behind him. Liam stood up from the corner of the room, dressed like a waiter. William's men were scattered, dressed as staff and customers. She gave the smallest nod.
Raymond caught her eyes shift. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing," she said quickly.
He turned his head slightly to glance behind. That was when two men grabbed him from both sides.
"What the hell—"
Before he could finish, Liam appeared, pushing his chair back.
"Long time, Clark," Liam said, cold.
Raymond froze. "What did you just call me?"
"You heard me," Liam said. "Clark. The liar. The traitor."
Raymond tried to stand, but the men held him tightly.
Tina stood up slowly. "I knew it. I knew you were lying to me."
"You set me up?" he barked. "Tina, you planned this?"
"You used me," she said, her voice low and trembling. "Now it's over."
Raymond struggled. "You don't know what you're doing. You think these people will protect you? They'll turn on you one day too."
Liam stepped forward. "Let's go."
They dragged Raymond toward the back exit. He kept shouting, twisting.
"This isn't over, Tina! You'll regret this! All of you will!"
Tina looked down, refusing to cry. Liam stopped beside her.
"You did good," he said.
She nodded slowly. "Just make sure he doesn't hurt anyone again."
"I will," Liam said.
---
Meanwhile, in the mountain cabin, Kate paced the floor.
"William," she said. "You've been quiet since the call. What's wrong?"
He stood by the window, his hands in his pockets.
"It's Clark," he said. "They've got him."
Kate walked closer. "Then why do you look like that?"
"Because it doesn't feel like a win," he said.
"Why not?"
He turned to her. "Because he used people. He played with emotions. He almost got you. Tina. Everyone."
Kate stared at him. "But we're still here."
William moved closer. "You could've been hurt, Kate."
"But I wasn't," she whispered. "You protected me."
William's jaw clenched. "I brought you here to keep you safe. But instead, I found myself..."
"What?" she asked.
"Wanting you too much," he said.
Kate's heart skipped. "That's not wrong."
"It is when I'm supposed to be focused," he said. "On revenge. On justice."
"You're still human," she said. "You feel. You care. That's not weakness."
He looked at her. "But if I give in to what I feel... I might never be able to let go."
Kate stepped closer. "Then don't."
William's eyes flicked to her lips. "Kate…"
She reached up, touching his chest. "Stop fighting everything. Just feel it."
His arms wrapped around her, fast and strong. Their lips met, it was hungry, and desperate. He lifted her, carrying her to the bedroom without saying a word. Their Clothes fell.
William touch on Kate's skin, sent a thrilling sensation down her spine. Their Breaths grew louder. Hands explored skin. Their bodies met in silence and heat.
Afterwards, they lay in bed, the sheets covering their body. Her head rested on his chest. His fingers moved through her hair.
"Was this a mistake?" she asked quietly.
"No," he said. "It was the first thing that felt right in a long time."
She smiled. "Then maybe we're not as broken as we think."
He kissed her forehead. "Maybe not."
Tina stood by the window of her room, staring at the night sky. Her phone buzzed. She picked it up and answered without checking.
"Tina!" Kate's voice came through, full of energy. "Tell me everything! I've been waiting all night!"
Tina let out a long breath. "It's done. We got him."
"Wait—what? Are you serious?" Kate shouted.
"Yes. He's Clark, Kate. Everything Liam said was true. We set him up at the restaurant. He came, thinking it was a normal date, but I had William's men and Liam all around."
Kate gasped. "My God. And he didn't suspect anything?"
"He did," Tina said. "A little. But not enough. Not fast enough."
"Is he hurt?"
"No. But he fought. Liam's men had to drag him out. He was shouting like a maniac. He even said I would regret it."
Kate's voice dropped. "That bastard... I wish I could see him face to face one day and smack his stupid head."
Tina let out a small laugh. "You and me both."
"But... are you okay?" Kate asked.
There was silence.
"I don't know," Tina said. "I liked him, Kate. I thought... I don't know what I thought."
"He fooled everyone," Kate whispered. "But you were strong. You ended it before he could hurt you deeper."
"Thanks," Tina said. "What about you? How's the hideout with William?"
Kate hesitated, then smiled. "We talked... a lot."
Tina smirked. "Talked, huh?"
"It's not like that."
"Kate."
"Okay fine... maybe it is," Kate confessed. "But I don't know what it means."
Tina grinned. "It means you're finally letting yourself feel something."
---
In the cabin, William stepped out of the bathroom with a towel slung over his shoulder. His hair was damp, and he looked more relaxed than he had in days. Kate sat at the edge of the bed, pulling the sheet over her bare legs.
"Did you talk to Tina?" he asked.
"Yes," she said. "They have him."
He nodded slowly. "Good."
Kate looked at him. "Do you feel better now?"
He didn't answer at first. Then he walked over, sat beside her, and said, "Part of me does. But the other part... it still burns."
Kate turned to face him. "Why?"
"Because he got too close," William said. "He almost got to you. He almost got to Tina. I trusted Carlos... and now I see how deep all this betrayal runs."
Kate placed her hand on his. "You're not alone in this."
He looked at her hand, then up into her eyes. "I didn't think I'd fall for someone again."
She blinked. "Is that what this is?"
He nodded. "I don't want to pretend. Not after tonight."
Kate swallowed hard. "Then say it."
William hesitated, then whispered, "I care about you, Kate. More than I expected. More than I should."
"Then don't fight it," she said. "Not now."
"I'm scared," he admitted.
"Of what?"
"Of losing you," he said. "Of letting someone close again, only for them to leave."
She leaned forward, touching his cheek. "I'm not going anywhere."
He held her face in his hands. "You promise?"
"I promise," she whispered.
Their lips met again, slow and deep. The fire between them burned brighter now, not just from desire, but from emotion. Their souls spoke through every touch, every kiss.
Later, they laid under the covers, holding each other.
William spoke softly. "I didn't think I could feel peace. But this... with you... it's different."
Kate closed her eyes. "I know. I feel it too."
He kissed her forehead. "When this is over... I want more."
Kate opened her eyes. "More?"
"A future," he said. "With you. Without lies. Without fear."
She smiled. "Then let's survive this first. Together."
---
In another part of town, inside a secured basement under surveillance, Raymond sat chained to a chair. His face was bruised. Liam stood in front of him with two guards behind.
Raymond chuckled. "So this is what it's come to?"
Liam folded his arms. "You should've stayed gone."
"I came back for what's mine," Raymond growled.
"Nothing here belongs to you."
"You think William will win?" Raymond sneered. "He's weak. Soft. A woman changed him."
Liam stepped forward. "And yet here you are. Tied. Defeated."
"I'll get out," Raymond said. "And when I do—"
"You won't," Liam cut in. "We've got everything. Your fake IDs. Your deals with Carlos. Your plans. We're building the case."
Raymond smiled, blood at the corner of his mouth. "You'll never see it coming."
Liam looked down at him. "I already did."
He turned to leave.
Raymond shouted, "This isn't over, Liam! Tell William... he hasn't seen anything yet!"
Liam paused at the door.
"I'll tell him," he said. "And I'll make sure he finishes what he started."
He slammed the door shut behind him.