Chapter 169

They really thought they were smart, huh? They thought he would fall for their little traps. However, he couldn’t deny that they had presented him with the perfect opportunity. Will was serving himself on a silver platter. It would be so easy to just take care of him then. His ultimate fantasy could play out the way he’d always dreamt of. The very public murder of William Stewart was just something he couldn’t pass up.
What reason was there even to hide anymore? They had revealed his identity. Everyone knew who he was. So, what purpose did the shadows serve him anymore? Perhaps it was time to come out into the light and end this charade. His last card against Will had been used up. He’d run out of games.
“Let’s play,” he chuckled, loading his gun. “No plans. No backups. This is it.” His heart raced with elation as he envisioned a bullet ripping through Will. Hearing his loved ones cry as his body crumpled to the ground. Hot, red blood pouring from his wounds. He sighed in delight as his fantasy played out in his mind. “What a glorious sight.”
Of course, he’d be caught. But it wouldn’t matter then. If Will was dead, he’d have no purpose anymore. His one objective was to cause Will as much suffering as possible, to rob him of his peace. Short of murdering his baby, which he really wanted to avoid, he’d done that. Taking Grace had ruined him. It left a stain in his soul that he’d never be able to wash away. And now that Will was destroyed, it was time to rid the world of him.
But if Will lived somehow, it wouldn’t matter. They were always ways to escape. There was only one way he’d be out of Will’s life. And that was if Will was dead.
“They’re probably on their way to the landowners by now. Time to end this.”
He placed his gun in its holster, and stepped out into the day. He walked casually through the city with a skip in his step and a song in his heart. The day he’d been building towards was finally upon him. No one noticed him as he strolled through the city. His years of hiding in plain sight had taught him to blend in. It was a heady feeling. At the end of this walk, he’d be forever changed.
***
“We’ll have surveillance and security all around the perimeter,” Captain Whitlock assured them over the phone. They all traveled in one car. It was surmised that they would attract less attention that way. A procession of flashy vehicles would turn several heads, and they wanted to keep as low a profile as possible.
“Do you really think he’ll show up?” Emma asked.
“Yes,” the captain answered. “He has no inhibitions anymore. His stunt at the station proved as much. He’s reached his endgame. And we have to be ready.”
They were on edge as they arrived at the empty lot. It was a huge parcel of land. Emma and Spencer marveled at the sheer size of it and began to envision their finished project. Jess made mental plans of what she would need and contained her glee when she imagined how much a project like this would pay. It was going to create so many jobs and afford hundreds of opportunities in the city.
For a moment, they forgot of the impending danger that grew ever closer to them. They allowed themselves to soak in their victory. They were going to save Stewart Industries, and countless jobs and families along with it. They walked towards the small temporary office where the landowners were waiting.
“Are you ready?” Emma asked Will, handing over the blueprints and the model. They were not allowed to go with him.
“He’s fine,” Alex clapped him on the back. “This is the kind of stuff he’s made for.”
“Big, bad CEO,” Sabrina smirked.
“Yeah,” Will smiled. “I shouldn’t be long. Will entered the office and the rest of them were left to wait. Their heads stayed on a swivel; everyone that passed by was a possible threat. People looked at them as they went by. Alex drew some attention and a few pedestrians stopped and asked to take photos with him. He obliged.
“You’re popular, huh?” Sabrina teased.
“Yeah, well you know… Prince of the city and all.”
“I didn’t know we were in the company of royalty,” Spencer played along.
“It’s okay, peasants,” Alex continued with a haughty, pompous accent. “I’ll allow you to be in my presence.”
“Oh, shut up,” Sabrina playfully pushed him.
The small moment of levity passed when Will emerged from the office, a serious look on his face.
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough for this, Spencer,” Will said, looking towards him. “Truly. You didn’t hesitate to help me, and I’ll be in your debt. I can’t do much, but I can give you this.” Will handed a manila envelope to Spencer, who took it with a question in his eyes.
“What does this mean?” Emma asked. “Are we clear? Is it ours?”
Spencer opened the envelope. His eyes opened wide as he realized what he was seeing.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
“Oh, come on!” Sabrina shouted with excitement. “The suspense is killing me! Please tell us what’s going on!”
“We got it,” Spencer said, the disbelief coming through in his voice. “And Will has offered Lucas Design Studios an exclusive contract to be the designers of all future projects and renovations.” He looked up at Will. “You don’t have to this.”
“It’s already done,” Will smiled.
“Will, I don’t know what to say… Thank you.”
“You deserve it. You didn’t need to help me. But you did. There’s more as well. We’ve been given the green light to begin construction immediately.”
“Will!” Emma squealed, throwing her arms around him. “This is amazing!”
“There’s more,” Will continued.
“What else could there be?”
“I want Jess’s father’s company to be the official contractor for Stewart Industries.”
Jess gasped, her hands flying to her mouth and tears prickled in her eyes.
“Oh my God,” she sniffled.
“I’m going to give your father a loan so you two can get back on your feet.”
“Stop!” she cried. “You can’t do that!”
“I already did.”
“Thank you!” Without thinking, Jess tackled him and caught him in a crushing hug. Her strength caught Will by surprise. She released him and wiped away her tears. “You have no idea what this means to me. You won’t regret it! I swear you won’t!”
“And Sabrina, I want to hire you as the company’s new PR person. You’ve done more for my image than an entire firm could do.”
“What the fuck, Will?” Sabrina affectionately punched his arm. “Are you Santa Claus or something?”
“You all came together and made this happen for me. This is the least I can do to show you all how thankful I am.”
They cheered and celebrated their victory, all accepting Will’s offers. Spencer and Jess signed the contract on the spot, and Sabrina laughed and said they would discuss her terms later.
“This calls for a celebration!” Alex called out. “Let’s go to Palomino’s! My treat!” Palomino’s was one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. There was usually a two week waitlist. But that didn’t matter when you were Alex Rossi.
“What a flex,” Jess laughed. “What kind of crowd am I rolling with now?”
“The best kind,” Sabrina answered. Their spirits were high, and all thoughts of doom and crazed killers left them. It seemed that they would finally have peace and that the world was done throwing trials at them.
They began to pile in the car when they heard it.
“What a wonderful day for you, Will. Too bad it’s got to end.”