Chapter Twelve

Tristan POV

I walked confidently into the opulent salon, looking around for Ryder. Yes, there he was, in the corner, enjoying a whiskey.

With delight in my heart, I moved across. "Ryder, my old friend," I exclaimed loudly into the room. "I hear you've been busy."

Ryder raised his head, his face expressionless. "Just doing my job, Tristian ." With excitement shining in my eyes, I took a seat next to him.

"Natalie and her son are said to have escaped. Is that accurate?" Ryder nodded, his expression unflappable.

"Yes, they got away." I couldn't resist grinning.

"Ah, that's great! She has it in her, I knew. Tell me where they are now.

Ryder's face became circumspect. "I promised her I wouldn't reveal their location, Tristian ."

I slid a briefcase across the table that was stuffed with cash.

"Ryder, name your price. I would gladly pay top cash for that knowledge." Ryder glanced at the briefcase, and for an instant, I believed I caught a glimpse of temptation.

His expression sharpened then. "Tristian , I don't think you get it. I assured Natalie that I wouldn't abuse her confidence. And I refuse to."

I leaned closer and sounded more convincing. "Go on, Ryder . I'm going to give you a tiny fortune. And all I ask for in return is a small amount of data." Ryder never took his eyes from mine.

"I apologise, Tristian. However, certain things are worth more than cash."

Despite my situation, I was impressed and sighed. "Ryder, you're a tough man. I do, however, respect that. I'll double the offer, I'll tell you. Just let me know their location."

With a softening look, Ryder leaned in and spoke in a barely audible whisper. "They are staying in a little hotel outside of the city. Tristian , though, you have to swear to me that you'll protect them. Aria is still searching and won't let up until she locates them." I nodded, excitement pounding in my chest.

"I swear, Ryder . I'll take care of them. I appreciate you telling me this." I bolted from my chair and headed out of the lounge, Natalie and Elvis circling through my head.

I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me.

I strode into the hotel lobby, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of them. But the lobby was empty, except for a bored-looking receptionist.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice disinterested.

"I'm looking for Natalie and her son Elvis," I said, my voice firm. "They were supposed to be staying here."

The receptionist's expression turned blank. "I'm sorry, sir. We don't have any guests by that name."

I felt a surge of frustration. Had Ryder been playing me all along? Or had Natalie and Elvis moved on already?

My black sports vehicle was waiting for me when I got to the parking lot. Driving it gave me a sense of control and power that I had always cherished. I felt the rumble beneath me as I climbed in and turned on the engine. With my eyes set on the road ahead, I engaged the car's gears and drove out of the parking lot.

I was excited to see Natalie and Elvis again, even though I knew the motel was only 20 minutes away. Excitement was in my veins as I drove up to the motel.

A sense of disappointment swept through me. I walked confidently into the hotel lobby, looking around for them.

But aside from a bored-looking receptionist, the lobby was deserted. Disinterested, she asked, "Can I help you?"

My voice was firm as I said, 'I'm looking for Natalie and her son Elvis. They were supposed to be staying here." The receptionist's face went expressionless.

"Sir, I apologise. There aren't any visitors by that name here." A wave of frustration washed over me. Had Ryder been deceiving me the entire time? Or had Elvis and Natalie already moved on?

I thanked the receptionist and headed back outside to my car, ideas buzzing in my head. One thing was certain to me: I would not give up until I found them.

As I got back in my car and left the hotel parking lot, images of Elvis and Natalie kept racing through my mind. For a minute, I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I failed to notice the car that was following me. But as soon as I turned into the main road, I caught sight of a black car in my rearview mirror.

The vehicle was an average one, the kind that gets lost in the rush hour. However, something about it drew me in. My tires screeched as I made the turn into the garage. The automobile came next, but I had another idea.

I picked up the pace, accelerating through the garage's twists. Even though the vehicle was directly behind me, I was very familiar with the garage.

I turned abruptly and ducked into a little alley. The sedan was too huge for me to keep up with, and when it overshot the turn, I heard tires squealing.

I continued till I returned to my hotel room, my adrenaline-pumping pulse still pounding. I knew it was only a short effect, but I had managed to shake them. If I wanted to protect Elvis and Natalie , I needed to think of a plan quickly.

My hotel room was silent when my phone rang loud and clear.

With a forceful voice, I replied. "Tristian ." Orion's voice was low and sinister, "Tristian , you may have escaped me this time, but you haven't seen the last of me." My hold on the phone became more firm.

"What do you want, Orion?" I asked getting pissed

"Of Course you should know what I want. I am just calling you to let you know about the company and how I am going to take it over from you."

"Listen here young man, I will find you and I swear to God I will make you pay for all the evils you have done to me...." I warned

"I will love to see you watch me do my best. Oh and one last thing, how is your wife Natalie?"