Forty

POV
Tessa

The morning following the pregnancy revelation began with a heavy silence in the house. The looks exchanged among us carried a mixture of concern and uncertainty. I felt vulnerable, while Mason and Bennett seemed lost in their own thoughts.

Mason broke the silence, his voice tense. "How did this happen, Tessa?"

The question sounded more like an accusation than a request for clarification. I shrank inwardly, feeling judged for something I couldn't fully explain myself.

"I don't know," I murmured, looking down to avoid their inquisitive gazes. "It was a mistake, I suppose."

Bennett took a deep breath, visibly struggling to keep his composure. "This is serious, Tessa. We can't afford any more complications right now."

"More complications?" I raised my voice, feeling defensive. "Do you think I chose this? Do you think it was easy for me to find out and have to deal with all of this alone?"

Mason stepped closer, his expression grave. "We're dealing with Loomis, Tessa. Our lives are already in enough danger."

"This isn't fair," I retorted, fighting back tears threatening to escape. "I didn't ask for this. But now we have to deal with it together."

The argument continued, each of us voicing concerns and frustrations in different ways. Mason focused on the immediate threat of Loomis, while Bennett worried about the uncertain future my pregnancy could bring upon us all.

"We can't afford to make mistakes," Bennett insisted, his words laced with urgency. "We need to stand united now more than ever."

"I know that," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "But I also need you to be there for me, not just as protectors, but as emotional support."

Mason sighed, running a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration. "Tessa, you know we'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. But we can't ignore the realities of what's happening."

"I'm not asking you to ignore," I said firmly. "I'm just asking you to understand that this isn't just about you or Loomis anymore."


Pov

Loomis



The darkness was my sanctuary, wrapping around me like an old friend as I crouched in the bushes opposite their house. From my vantage point, I could see the faint glow of lights through the curtains, a stark contrast to the enveloping night. My eyes narrowed, focusing on the figures moving inside.

I rubbed my hand over my face, feeling the sting of the cut on my cheek. It was a reminder of their audacity, their defiance. They had wounded me, but I had survived, and now I hungered for revenge.

Thoughts of Tessa lingered in my mind, unexpected and unwelcome. Her pregnancy was a complication, a twist in the carefully woven fabric of my plans. She was just a means to an end, a pawn in the game I was playing with their lives.

A cold smile curved my lips as I adjusted my grip on the gun. Tonight, they would pay for their arrogance. I would make sure of it. I had learned from my mistakes, from underestimating them once before. This time, I would be patient, I would be cunning.

The weight of the gun in my hand grounded me, fueled my resolve. They thought they had defeated me, but they were wrong. I would show them just how wrong they were. They would suffer for what they had done to me, to my plans.

With one last glance at their house, I melted back into the shadows, disappearing into the night with purpose. Revenge was a dish best served cold, and tonight, I would savor every moment of their downfall.
As I moved stealthily through the neighborhood, memories of our last encounter flashed through my mind. The pain of their betrayal still burned fresh in my chest. They had disrupted everything, shattered my carefully constructed world. Tessa's face haunted me, her defiance a bitter reminder of my own vulnerability.

But tonight, I would turn the tables. They had grown complacent, believing themselves safe in their fortress of unity. Little did they know, I had studied their patterns, their weaknesses. I knew their routines, their vulnerabilities.

A light rain began to fall, the soft patter of drops on leaves masking my movements. It was a fitting backdrop to the storm that raged within me. Anger simmered beneath the surface, mingling with anticipation. This was not just about revenge; it was about restoring balance, about reclaiming what was rightfully mine.

I reached the outskirts of town, where the abandoned warehouse stood like a sentinel against the night. It was a place they had frequented, a place they had thought safe. But tonight, it would become their prison.

Stealthily, I approached the warehouse, senses alert for any sign of movement. The adrenaline surged through me, heightening my awareness. They were inside, unsuspecting of the storm I was about to unleash upon them.

With practiced precision, I slipped through a broken window, the shards of glass whispering against my clothes. The interior was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls. I could hear faint voices, the murmur of their conversation echoing through the vast space.

I moved silently, navigating through the maze of crates and machinery. Every step brought me closer to my prey, closer to the moment of reckoning. The gun felt heavy in my hand, a reassuring weight that anchored me to my purpose.

And then, I saw them. Bennett and Mason stood together, their heads close in whispered conversation. Tessa was nearby, her presence a silent challenge that fueled my determination. They were united, but their unity would be their downfall.

A sinister grin spread across my face as I raised the gun, aiming it at the unsuspecting trio. Tonight, they would learn the price of crossing me. Tonight, they would pay for their sins.

The warehouse seemed to hold its breath as I took a deep, steadying breath. The moment was finally here. With a surge of adrenaline, I stepped forward, ready to unleash the storm that would tear their world apart.