Chapter 3

Allan sat in his office reminiscing about the havoc that he wrecked on the home of the man owing him two billion dollars. 

A part of him hated himself, hated the man that he had become, the man he had grown into. He shook his head, he was forced to be ruthless.

Being forced to take over a company at a very young age, he had to develop survival skills. He had to grow thick skin.

He remembered that day like it was yesterday. The scenes flashed through his mind, the scenes that always appeared in the nightmares he had every night.

Of how he was snatched away from his mother when he was just 10 years old.

The tears and screams of his mom begging and pleading with his father to let him grow up a little more. That he was too young for the harsh world.

His little cries and screams did nothing to his father's cold and hardened heart. He remembered the expression on his father's face as he turned to his mom and said "He needs to learn the ways of life. He'll soon take over the company in a few years".

"Boss, boss", his train of thoughts was interrupted by his chief security.

"What is it?" Allan asked angrily.

"Tom Watson's wife is here to see you" , his chief security, Harry said.

"Is it noon yet?" Allan asked as he looked at his expensive watch.

"No, it is 11 boss" Harry replied.

"Well, she came a bit early. Let her in" he said.

Some seconds later, his door was opened by Mary.

"Don't go any further," he said. Stopping her right at the door.

"I don't see my bride, meaning you came with the money, right?" He asked while fiddling with his ballpoint pen.

"I came to ask for your help", Mary said, as she walked to the front of his desk and placed the paper in front of him.

"What is this?" Allan inquired.

"Sarah was kidnapped last night", Mary said. 

She was surprised to see shock on his face.

"If you think I did this, then you are terribly wrong". Allan said, swiveling in his seat.

"I came to solicit your help, Mr Stone", Mary said.

"Does this place look like a police station to you, or am I carrying a gun or something?" He asked with raised eyebrows.

"I just want you to help me find my daughter please", Mary said as she fell on her knees.

"What's in it for me?" he asked.

"You can marry her," Mary said.

Allan laughed heartily. "But you see, it's two favors you'll owe me now" he said amidst laughter.

"Stand," he told her.

Mary stood up clutching her purse to her chest. 

"I had gone to the police station already but the officer there said he wouldn't do anything till 24 hours elapsed. I can't imagine what they would do to her in 24 hours'', Mary cried. 

"Why isn't your husband here, begging you?".

"He has not been feeling too well, I left him at home" she lied.

Allan picked up the phone, dialed in a number and called. On the second ring it was answered.

"Tell Logan to please step into my office" he said on the phone.

"You can go, I'll take care of it" he said to Mary and waved her away.

A few seconds later, his personal assistant, Logan, walked in.

"You sent for me, boss," he said.

"Yes, my wife has been kidnapped," Allan said with a cynical smile.

"Kidnapped?" Logan said with surprise. 

"Yes, kidnapped, I want you to find her and bring her to me. I'll punish the unfortunate bastards myself." Allan said as he handed him the note and waved him away.

Allan picked up the file on his desk that contained all the details and information on the Watsons. 

He flipped over to the page with Sarah's name on it and studied her picture.19 years of age but with more beauty than a 24-year-old could possess.

He touched the dark mole on her cheek and felt a pang of sadness and anger in his chest.

He didn't like people toying with his property and this girl had officially become his.

Allan had been so lonely all his life. Living in a large house with just a maid and his cook. He felt he could use some distraction and this girl looked like the perfect example of a distraction.

He had his flings now and then. But he left relationships out of the picture. 

"Just imagine what people would think when they found out that the hottest bachelor was off the market", he thought, with a smile playing on the corner of his lips.

He caught himself in time before the smile displayed on his lips and closed the file with a sigh. 

There was a knock on the door, it opened and Logan came in.

"What did you find?" Allan asked, sitting on the edge of his desk.

"We traced the phone number to Shanel Hudson, we ran the name and got a picture and an address", Logan said, handing the file to Allan.

"Good, I guess it's time for some action" Allan said, and Logan nodded in agreement. 

"Tell Harry to get the cars ready, I'm coming with you" Allan said, as he picked up his jacket. 

"Huh! Are you sure boss?" Logan asked, bewildered.

"You know better than to ask me questions, Logan. Now move we have to be snappy". 

Logan stared at him for a moment with utter shock in his eyes. From what he knew about his boss, he didn't like involving himself in the dirty work.

He was the one in charge of that. 

"So what was it in this case that made his boss change his principles?" He thought to himself.

Allan turned to find Logan still staring at him. "What are you still doing here you moron?" He shouted and Logan snapped back to reality.

"If anything happens to my bride I'll hold you accountable, now go!"He ordered and Logan sprinted out the door. 

A few seconds later, Allan stepped out of his company's headquarters building into a slick limo with 2 cars following,all tinted dark.

"Logan, give me the progress report". Allan said to Logan, who was sitting opposite him.

"We're headed to Heathgrove avenue, a dilapidated building. The neighborhood is bad and dangerous, a typical place for crime", Logan said.

"Okay" Allan said as he pulled off his jacket and folded the sleeves of his white shirt.

They drove into the avenue, a dark place reeking of horrible smells and refuse heaped on each side of the road. 

Parked in front of the building, Allan stepped out and looked up at the building.

The paint was peeling and the windows broken. 

They climbed up the stairs and knocked on the door with the address. 

"Who is there?" a female voice asked.

Allan motioned for them to be quiet and knocked on the door again. 

"I said who is there?" The female inside shouted.

They heard the sounds of locks coming off and the door creaked open. 

She poked her head through the crack she opened and her eyes widened when she saw the men in suits at her door.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"Now miss Shanel, why don't you open the door so we can have a little chat", Harry said to her.

"No, I'm sorry I'm currently busy, bye"she was about closing the door when Logan intercepted with his foot and pushed the door wide open.

They walked into the clustered room that reeked of cigarette smoke.

Logan grabbed the girl and placed her on the only seat in the room.

"Time for some questions and answers. Do you know this girl?" He asked as he shoved a picture of Sarah into her face. 

"It…it wasn't me, I swear" she stammered.

"It wasn't you what?" Allan quipped, his patience at its breaking limit.

"It was Derrick's idea to kidnap her. Just needed some cool cash since she was soon going to be married to a rich man", She replied, her lips quivering.

"Now who is this Derrick?" Allan asked as he squatted in front of her.

"Her boyfriend" she replied.

Allan's face blanched with surprise as he made eye contact with Logan and