99.

Atif’s fingers danced across the keyboard, his eyes locked on the glowing screen in front of him as he finally broke through the last firewall. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as a flashing pin appeared on the map.

“There you are, Faraz,” he murmured, leaning back in satisfaction.

He didn’t waste a second, dialing Murad’s number. It barely rang once before Murad answered, his voice tense.

“Did you find him?”

Atif’s tone was triumphant. “It’s an island, a private one just off the southern coast. I’ve marked it down for you. This is it, Murad.”

Murad’s silence lingered, his mind racing with possibilities. His fist clenched around the phone, jaw set with resolve. He was finally closing in on the man who had ripped apart everything he held dear.

As he ended the call, he felt a steady hand on his shoulder. Murad turned to see Hashim Uncle, his long-time family friend and almost like a father figure, watching him with concern.

“You’re not planning to go alone, are you?” Hashim asked, his gaze firm.

“I have to, Uncle,” Murad replied, brushing off the hand on his shoulder. “Faraz took Taliya because of me. This isn’t anyone else’s fight.”

Hashim shook his head, frowning deeply. “Listen, Murad. I understand that you feel responsible, but Faraz is dangerous. You don’t know what he’s capable of. At least let me send a few men with you—”

Murad’s expression hardened, a spark of defiance in his eyes. “No, Uncle. I can’t risk anyone else getting caught up in this. He wants to face me, and I’m not dragging others into his game.”

Hashim’s voice softened, trying one last time. “Taliya wouldn’t want you to take on Faraz alone. You know that. Think carefully, Murad.”

For a brief moment, Murad’s determination wavered, but he quickly pushed the doubt aside. “I can’t stand by and wait. I’m going, and I’m doing this alone.”

With that, Murad grabbed his jacket and turned toward the door, leaving Hashim Uncle standing in the dim light of the room, worry etched into his face. Murad had made his choice, and there was no turning back now.

°•°

Taliya sat in the cold, dimly lit room, feeling the unsettling quiet press down on her. Her eyes narrowed as Faraz strolled in, his expression smug yet calculative, every movement screaming control and arrogance.

He stopped in front of her, hands behind his back, and regarded her with a slight smirk. “Well,” he began slowly, his voice a dark, silky drawl. “How is my guest enjoying her stay?”

Taliya’s fists clenched. She barely wanted to breathe the same air as this man. “I wouldn’t call this a ‘stay,’ Faraz. More like imprisonment.”

He shrugged, the smirk still firmly in place. “Words are merely tools. Call it what you like. Safety, imprisonment… In the end, you’re here, aren’t you?”

Taliya’s eyes blazed, and she forced her voice to stay even. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

“Let’s just say I’m practical.” He leaned in closer, until she could smell the faint, expensive cologne he wore. “After all, Murad needs to understand that actions have consequences.”

Her face twisted in anger. “This has nothing to do with me. Whatever grudge you have against Murad, fight it with him. You don’t need to bring me into it.”

Faraz chuckled, cold and unfeeling. “Oh, Taliya, you underestimate your importance to him. That was your first mistake.”

“Right.” She barked a hollow laugh, meeting his eyes defiantly. “So you’re using me as bait, like some desperate thug?”

Something flickered in his eyes, and his jaw tensed briefly before he regained his composure. “Desperate? Hardly. You’re just… a necessary part of this puzzle.”

Taliya fought back the surge of fear in her chest, refusing to show any weakness. “You think I’m afraid of you?”

“You should be.” Faraz’s voice lowered, a whisper as dark as his gaze. “Defiance won’t protect you here. Your precious Murad isn’t coming.”

Taliya forced herself to scoff, masking her growing uncertainty. “He’ll come. And he’s smarter than you give him credit for.”

Faraz’s smirk widened, a dangerous gleam in his eye. “We’ll see.”

°•°

The next morning, Taliya found herself summoned to a small dining room. The table was set lavishly, as if she were some sort of welcome guest instead of a hostage. She felt her stomach churn with unease as Faraz watched her, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Eat,” he ordered, nodding towards the plates. “You must be hungry.”

Taliya glared at him, arms folded tightly across her chest. “I’d rather starve.”

Faraz sighed, almost as if she were inconveniencing him. “Suit yourself, but hunger doesn’t bode well on a secluded island. You’ll need your strength.”

“Strength?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You mean for whatever twisted game you’re playing?”

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “Call it what you like, but I’d say it’s necessary. We all have our roles to play, Taliya.”

“And what role is that for you?” she spat. “A coward who hides behind kidnapping?”

Faraz’s expression darkened, his calm demeanor slipping just enough to let her see the dangerous edge underneath. “Be careful with your words. Cowards hide in the shadows—like Murad. They manipulate, twist truths, use people without any remorse.”

She straightened, a bitter laugh escaping her. “Is that what he did to you? Used you? Somehow I doubt you’re so innocent in all of this.”

“Believe what you like,” Faraz replied, his voice as hard as ice. “But loyalty is a fickle thing. It changes. And I have learned not to place it in men who will betray you the first chance they get.”

Taliya’s heart clenched, but she masked her reaction, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch. “Loyalty isn’t something you manipulate, Faraz. You clearly never understood that.”

He shrugged, unbothered by her words. “Perhaps I don’t. But I do understand power. And I have it, Taliya. Murad? He doesn’t deserve your loyalty.”

Her voice shook with anger. “And you think you do?”

Faraz raised an eyebrow, as if considering the question. “I don’t expect loyalty. I expect obedience.”

Taliya stared at him, refusing to back down. “Then you’ll be disappointed.”

They locked eyes, a silent battle waging between them. Finally, he leaned back, his voice deceptively soft. “For now, Taliya. But soon, you’ll see things my way.”